Republican Greg Walden of Oregon has announced that he will not seek re-election next year.
Walden has easily won every election since his first congressional campaign in 1998, representing the eastern, and heavily Republican, two-thirds of the state.
The senior legislator previously served as the head of the National Republican Congressional Committee and is the ranking member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. (Fox News)
“Based on recent polling, strong fundraising, and the backing of my wife and family, I am confident I could earn the support of 2nd District voters for another term,” Walden said in a statement Monday. “I’m also optimistic that a path exists for Republicans to recapture a majority in the House, and that I could return for two more years as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.”
“But I also know that for me, the time has come to pursue new challenges and opportunities,” he continued. “So, I will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives, nor election to any other office, but instead I will close the public service chapter of my life, thankful for the friends I’ve made and the successful work we’ve done together.”
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But current NRCC Chairman Tom Emmer said Walden “assured” him that he would “remain heavily engaged in ensuring this seat remains in Republican hands.”
“I consider it an honor to follow in Greg’s footsteps as NRCC Chairman and will continue leaning on him for his support and guidance as we fight to take back the Majority in 2020,” Emmer said in a statement Monday. “This is a solidly Republican district and it will remain so in 2020.”
Walden is 62-years-old.
AAN Staff
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