(DCWatchdog.com) – In an unexpected new setback to the already thin Republican majority in the US House of Representatives, another GOP congressman has announced he would be retiring at the end of the current Congress.
Republican Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer of Missouri has declared his intention to retire from the House of Representatives at the conclusion of his current term.
This announcement comes as the House Republican Conference is set to experience a decrease in its majority by three seats following the resignation of Bill Johnson of Ohio on January 21, the earlier departure of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California, and the expulsion of proven liar George Santos of New York.
Luetkemeyer, who has been a member of the House since 2009, shared his retirement plans on X.
“I have decided not to file for re-election and retire at the end of my term in December,” he wrote, as cited by The Daily Caller.
“As I finish up my term, I look forward to continuing to work with all my constituents on their myriad of issues … there is still a lot to do,” the Republican congressman added.
Luetkemeyer’s decision not to resign before the end of his term is significant, as an early departure would have further reduced the already slim Republican majority in the House to just one seat, The Caller points out.
The 118th Congress has been marked by substantial ideological divisions within the House, leading to instances where Republican members have defected, thereby defeating measures that had majority support within the party.
These defections played a crucial role in the contentious election of McCarthy to the speakership, which took 15 ballots in January 2023, as well as his narrow removal from office later in October, the report observes.
It notes further that the lack of Republican support for various appropriations bills, coupled with unanimous opposition from Democrats, compelled party leaders to withdraw these bills from consideration on the House floor in November.
Luetkemeyer’s district, with a Cook Partisan Voting Index score of R+16, is predominantly Republican.
His retirement is expected to spark a highly competitive primary within the Republican Party.
“Republicans will hold this seat in 2024,” commented Delanie Bomar, a spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC).
