Two more congressional Democrats are apparently preparing for retirement following yesterday’s announcement by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.)
Manchin’s decision ends months of speculation and virtually guarantees the GOP one of the two seats needed to regain control of the Senate.
However, he wasn’t the only Democrat to announce their decision to leave Washington, as more legislators ready to depart.
Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.) formally announced he will not run for reelection in 2024, creating another open congressional seat. However, his district near Seattle preferred President Joe Biden by double-digits in 2020. In a lengthy statement, Kilmer wrote, “I’m proud of what we have accomplished – but it is time for the next chapter.”
It has been one of the great honors of my life to serve as the Representative for Washington's 6th District in Congress. I’m proud of what we have accomplished – but it is time for the next chapter. I will not seek re-election in 2024.
— Rep. Derek Kilmer (@RepDerekKilmer) November 9, 2023
Read my full statement here: pic.twitter.com/6dJLMT1xCo
Not long after, reports broke that Brian Higgins, who has represented Buffalo and Niagara Falls since 2005, is preparing to step down, teeing up a special election in Western New York. In 2020, Biden won the district 62-35% over then-President Donald Trump.
BREAKING: Brian Higgins, who has represented Buffalo and much of Western New York in Washington for nearly two decades, appears to be stepping down to take the top job at Shea's Performing Arts Center, sources told News 4. https://t.co/QBmk7Parky
— News 4 Buffalo (@news4buffalo) November 9, 2023
Pundits expect both seats to remain in the Democratic column.
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