Jim Kolbe to retire from Congress Associated Press Nov. 23, 2005 12:35 PM Veteran U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe has decided he won’t seek re-election in 2006, political associates said Wednesday. He will have served 22 years in the U.S. House by the time he steps down next year. The 63-year-old Arizona Republican has served in the House since 1985. He acknowledged in 1996 that is a homosexual. State Sen. Toni Hellon, R-Tucson, said Kolbe told her of his intentions during a telephone call Wednesday. “He wants to do other things,” she said. A second person who is a political associate...