Another GOP lawmaker is choosing to retire rather than run for re-election in 2018.
Rep. Bob Goodlatte, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, announced that he will retire after his current term.
This is stunning news, and comes on the heels of a rash of retirement announcements by his fellow GOP lawmakers.
Earlier this week, two GOP reps, Frank A. LoBiondo of New Jersey and Ted Poe of Texas, announced they wouldn’t seek re-election. With Goodlatte’s announcement, a grand total of 30 GOP lawmakers won’t be running for office in 2018.
House Judiciary Cmte chair GOP VA Rep Bob Goodlatte to retire. Third House GOPer this week.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) November 9, 2017
The representative from the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia made the announcement over Twitter:
It's my honor to represent #VA06. I cannot begin to express how blessed I am to have had the opportunity to serve. Now is the right time to step aside – I will not seek re-election. My statement: https://t.co/tByoe5vFmO
— Bob Goodlatte (@RepGoodlatte) November 9, 2017
This is bad news for Republicans. Goodlatte holds one of the most powerful positions in the House of Representatives. As Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Goodlatte plays a key role in the oversight of the federal court system. And, most importantly, it’s the congressional committee that starts impeachment proceedings for federal officials.
I can just hear Democrats licking their chops now at the prospect of the chairmanship being up for grabs.
Liberals took a victory lap over Goodlatte’s announcement on Twitter:
— ashley (@ashleyruuu) November 9, 2017
Bye TRAITOR!
— RobinC (@robbinbythesea) November 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/dpheeney/status/928652866742517760
These people are seriously unhinged. But they aren’t wrong. After the Democrats’ big wins on Tuesday, it’s looking like keeping a majority is going to be a struggle for Republicans come 2018. Running a bunch of brand new candidates is not something the Republican National Committee was counting on.
There is speculation that lawmakers like Goodlatte – traditional Republicans who rejected Donald Trump as a presidential candidate – don’t want to be in the Trump-run GOP, and that’s why they’re retiring. If that’s really their case, though, I say good riddance. President Trump is the leader of the party. If you don’t like it, you can make like Goodlatte and leave.
What do you think? Does Goodlatte’s retirement signal that the GOP is in trouble for 2018? Tell us your thoughts below and share this story over Facebook now!
