Republican Representative Debbie Lesko, who represents Arizona, declared her intention to retire on Tuesday during the ongoing House Speaker vote.
Lesko, currently serving her third term and a staunch supporter of former President Trump, cited the state of Washington, D.C. as one of the factors influencing her decision to step down.
In a statement, Lesko stated, “I have decided not to run for reelection in 2024. I want to spend more time with my husband, my 94-year-old mother, my three children, and my five grandchildren.”
She went on to explain, “Spending, on average, three weeks out of every month away from my family, and traveling back and forth to Washington, D.C. almost every weekend is difficult. Right now, Washington, D.C. is broken; it is hard to get anything done.”
Lesko expressed her gratitude to those who had supported her throughout her years in office and assured that her office would continue to serve constituents and the nation diligently until the conclusion of her term in January 2025.
Earlier this month, Kevin McCarthy was removed from the position of Speaker after Matt Gaetz filed a motion to vacate the chair. As a result, the House has been without a Speaker for two weeks, and Patrick McHenry currently serves as the Acting Speaker.
In the initial vote on Tuesday, Jim Jordan was unable to secure the Speakership, as 20 GOP Representatives cast their votes for alternative candidates. A second round of voting for the House Speaker is scheduled for Wednesday morning at 11 am ET, following Chairman Jordan’s failure to attain the 217 votes needed to win the gavel.
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Rep. Debbie Lesko’s Retirement | Announced during the House Speaker vote |
| Reasons for Retirement | Citing the challenging state of Washington, D.C and a desire to spend more time with family. |
| House Speaker Vacancy | Kevin McCarthy ousted, Patrick McHenry acting as Speaker. |
| Speaker Vote Outcome | Jim Jordan failed to secure the Speakership in the first vote. |
| Upcoming Speaker Vote | A second round of voting scheduled for Wednesday morning. |
