The House Republican Conference is on the precipice of having a one-seat majority.
In a statement released Friday, Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) announced that he will retire from Congress earlier than expected. The decision comes after his announcement last month that he would not seek reelection.
The decision by Gallagher, who was considered a rising star, leaves the race for Wisconsin's GOP-leaning 8th Congressional District wide open. Gallagher chairs the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.
His decision to vacate his seat before the end of his term in January is the latest setback for House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and the House Republican Conference.
The caucus has struggled to govern effectively and present a united front in public. According to Johnson's office, Gallagher informed the speaker of his decision earlier this week. (RELATED: GOP Firebrand Files Move To Oust Speaker)
Friday's decision by Gallagher coincides with Rep. Ken Buck's last day in Congress and will likely leave the GOP with a one-seat majority until June when a special election is scheduled to fill Ohio's vacant, and heavily-Republican, 6th Congressional District. (RELATED: Ken Buck Leaves Congress With Unbelievable Parting Gift)
A special election to replace ex-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., is set to take place in May. McCarthy's former seat in California's 20th Congressional District is a safe red seat, so it's likely going to give Johnson a GOP win.
Before that, however, is an April 30 special election to replace Rep. Brian Higgins, D-N.Y., a longtime left-wing lawmaker who departed earlier this year. That election will likely see Democrats add to their tally, which would keep the House majority at one seat.
Republicans keeping McCarthy's seat and Democrats keeping Higgins' seat would keep the majority at one, which means the June 11 special election to replace Johnson in Ohio's 6th Congressional District is the GOP's first chance to regain some wiggle room.
“After conversations with my family, I have made the decision to resign my position as a member of the House of Representatives for Wisconsin's Eighth Congressional District, effective April 19, 2024,” Gallagher said in a statement on Friday afternoon.
“I've worked closely with House Republican leadership on this timeline and look forward to seeing Speaker Johnson appoint a new chair to carry out the important mission of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party,” Gallagher added. “My office will continue to operate and provide constituent services to the Eighth District for the remainder of the term.”
Gallagher announced his decision to retire after voting against impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, drawing the ire of his party's right flank. The decision temporarily thwarted House Republicans. Writing in The Wall Street Journal at the time, Gallagher argued that impeaching a cabinet secretary for mismanagement would “set a dangerous new precedent that would be used against future Republican administrations.”
The House successfully voted to impeach Mayorkas the following week.
A GOP consultant with ties to the district has expressed interest in running for the seat.
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