Representative Jim McDermott, a democrat living in Seattle, announced that he is divorcing his second wife, Therese Hansen. In a written statement released by his office, McDermott did not say the reason or reasons for the divorce, though he did say that he was enduring a very difficult and painful time.

The couple has been married for 14 years. McDermott, who has represented Washington’s 7th congressional district in the U.S. House for the last 22 years and over 12 terms. The man, who is a former psychiatrist, represents Seattle, Vashon Island, Burien, Seatac, Tukwila, Lake Forest Park and Shoreline. Hansen is a Seattle attorney who has spent much of her free time aiding West Africa and who is spending the summer volunteering at a national park in the Sierra Mountains.

McDermott was formally married to Virginia McDermott, with whom he has two adult children. He and Virginia divorce not long after he entered Congress in 1989.

McDermott asked in his written statement that he and his spouse are granted privacy during their difficult time because it is a personal matter.

The congressman is one of several Pacific Northwest politicians to announce a divorce while holding office, though many of the more recent divorces among public figures in this region have not been without controversy.