Ohio ? Rep. Ralph Regula announced Friday he will not run for a 19th term in Congress next year, setting up a likely battle for Republicans hoping to keep the seat.

Regula, 82, is the dean of Ohio’s congressional delegation and the No. 3 Republican on the powerful Appropriations Committee. He has held his seat since 1973 and is the 11th Republican to forgo a re-election bid next year, further complicating the GOP’s efforts to retake control of the House.

The retirement sets up a tough election for Republicans because the parties are competitive in the northeastern Ohio district, state GOP chairman Bob Bennett said. Republicans usually win there, but Democrat Ted Strickland easily carried it in his successful campaign for governor last year.