Congressman Bob Gibbs (R-Ohio) has announced his retirement.
Gibbs' decision follows the approval of a new redistricting map that would have forced him into a competitive primary.
The Ohio Supreme Court ruled that the original map gave Republicans an unfair advantage.
The Daily Caller reports:
Gibbs, who has served in Congress since 2011 and represented the state's 7th congressional District since 2013, is facing off against former White House aide Max Miller. Miller initially declared in the 16th District, but was moved into Gibbs' district by the state legislature. The Ohio Redistricting Commission approved a final congressional map March 1, after the state Supreme Court threw out a map it ruled unfairly benefited Republicans.
“It is irresponsible to effectively confirm the congressional map for this election cycle seven days before voting begins, especially in the Seventh Congressional District where almost 90 percent of the electorate is new and nearly two thirds is an area primarily from another district, foreign to any expectations or connection to the current Seventh District,” Gibbs said in a statement.
“This circus has provided me with the opportunity to assess my future. To that end, after considerable deliberation, I have decided not to seek re-election this year,” he added, describing the redistricting process as “detrimental to the people of Ohio.”
“I want to thank family, friends, and supporters for their encouragement this election and the voters' confidence in me the previous six elections. It has truly been an honor to advocate for Ohioans in Congress. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity. Thank you to my family, especially my wife Jody, for putting up with the long drives, late dinners, and my weeks away from home. I will use this opportunity to spend more time with her, my children, and grandchildren.”
