Illinois Rep. Shimkus won't run for reelection
Source: The Hill
GOP Rep. John Shimkus announced Friday he will not seek reelection for Illinois's 15th Congressional District next year. Shimkus, who has served in the House since 1997, said while his tenure in Congress has been "an honor of a lifetime" he is looking to spend more time with his family.
"As Illinois candidates begin to circulate petitions next week, now is the time for me to announce that I will not be seeking re-election. ... Serving in Congress has been a blessing, but it has also been a sacrifice for my wife Karen, and our boys," he said in a statement. "Now young men, David, Joshua and Daniel continue to make me proud. I regret the times I have been away from the four of them and thank them for their constant love and support. My Family and I thank you for allowing us the honor to serve. Our dedication to our country, our state, our church, and our community will not waiver as we embark on the next chapter of life."
The 61-year-old Illinois Republican sits on the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee. He would have been the most senior member of the panel eligible to be chairman if Republicans retake the House in 2020.
Shimkus's district is traditionally a GOP stronghold, with a Cook Political Report partisan voting index of R+21.
Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/459478-illinois-rep-shimkus-wont-run-for-reelection
Not sure why there was a thought that the GOP would "retake the House in 2020".
WaPo breaking -
By Washington Post Staff
August 30 at 4:41 PM
Shimkus, who was elected in 1996, made the announcement in an interview Friday with KMOX radio.
He is the 14th Republican incumbent in the House to announce plans to retire, resign or seek another office.
This is a developing story. It will be updated.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2019/08/30/longtime-republican-rep-john-shimkus-of-illinois-says-he-will-not-seek-reelection/?wpisrcal_politics__alert-politics&wpmk1
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,836 posts)Me.
(35,454 posts)THat was my exact reaction, so I'm wondering if legal action is called for...
calguy
(5,325 posts)The blue wave is going tidal in 2020.
sheshe2
(83,898 posts)True Blue American
(17,988 posts)And 1 Senator have retired since Memorial Day. They just showed them.
sheshe2
(83,898 posts)This tells me they know the GOP are going down and it is every man for himself as they all abandon ship.
bucolic_frolic
(43,281 posts)Glory be!! They're all a bunch of cowards, handing off to GOP newbies to take the lumps. Chicken-shit COWARDS!
Wellstone ruled
(34,661 posts)his District in exchange for votes has gone bye bye. So it is time to Cash out and move over to a Lobbying Job that will fatten his Pension Accounts at a larger rate.
And Illinois has a firebrand Gov who is going to drive the GOP nuts.
patphil
(6,207 posts)groundloop
(11,522 posts)BumRushDaShow
(129,440 posts)mopinko
(70,208 posts)when mark foley was stalking them from his apt a couple blocks away from the dorm.
good bye to bad rubbish.
justhanginon
(3,290 posts)hallelujah and good riddance! He is a died in the wool religious freako and trump toady. Glad to see him go. I hope they can get a good dem to run for his seat.
May I add, adios m........ you know the rest.
True Blue American
(17,988 posts)riversedge
(70,299 posts)guess Dems will not have much of a chance with him gone of replacing him with a Dem.
Link to tweet
?s=20
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/john-shimkus-retiring
........................Shimkus became the ninth House Republican to announce his retirement this year, and several more will likely follow after Labor Day. Though House leadership is worried that a slew of Republicans will call it quits after losing the House in 2018, Shimkus announcement may not cause much stress since hes leaving a solidly Republican district.
not_the_one
(2,227 posts)it may be possible.
Someone should trademark "Eau de Donnie two scoops" (I'm sure you couldn't use Trump), make it stink horrifically, and we could send it as a gift to ALL the republican enablers and traitors...