Democrat Congresswoman Annie Kuster Joins Exodus, Will Not Seek Reelection

Rep. Annie Kuster (D-N.H.), chief of the Home’s New Democrat Coalition, has introduced that she won’t search reelection in November, persevering with the latest exodus of dozens of members of Congress.

“As I look to the long run, I’m excited by the work and alternatives that lie forward. All of us have a task to play in standing up for what we consider in, advocating for a greater future, and pursuing the change that we wish to see,” she stated in an announcement.

“I at all times stated I used to be not going to remain in Congress ceaselessly—I cannot be in search of re-election in 2024.”

The 67-year-old added that she’s going to end the remainder of her time period, which ends in January 2025.

“Within the months forward, I’ll use my time to assist Congress construct on the progress we have now made and end the job for the American folks,“ she stated. ”I’ll proceed to guide the New Democrat Coalition to assist cross complete, bipartisan laws to maneuver our nation ahead.”

As chair of the coalition, Ms. Kuster has labored a lot in reaching throughout the aisle. She is the founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Psychological Well being and Substance Use Dysfunction Job Drive, the Bipartisan Job Drive to Finish Sexual Violence, and the Bipartisan Ski and Snowboard Caucus.

She can be a member of the Bipartisan twenty first Century Lengthy-Time period Care Caucus, the Bipartisan Congressional PFAS Job Drive, and the Home Power and Commerce Committee.

The six-term congresswoman has represented New Hampshire’s 2nd District since 2013, and the announcement of her departure comes at a important time.

With the Republican and Democratic presidential nominees successfully determined, the nation’s political focus has begun to shift towards congressional races. And because the GOP’s Home majority hangs by a thread, Ms. Kuster’s seat—which she flipped from crimson to blue in 2012—might be focused for an upset.

Her exit will ship Democrats scrambling to discover a viable substitute candidate in time for New Hampshire’s Sept. 10 main.

Mr. Gallagher’s exit will depart Home Republicans with a 217-213 majority, leaving room for only one defection if they’re to cross payments with none Democrat votes.

“It’s powerful with a five-seat majority. It’s powerful with a two- seat. One would be the identical,” Home Majority Chief Steve Scalise (R-La.) advised CNN in response to Mr. Gallagher’s announcement.

“All of us need to work collectively. We’ve got to unite if we’re going to get issues performed. We’ve got confirmed with payments like our power invoice, our border safety invoice, and a few of the different massive issues we have now performed we are able to come collectively and get issues performed for hard-working households.”

Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.