Longtime Rep. Greg Walden announced Monday that he would not run for reelection, becoming the latest in a wave of Republican retirements since the party lost the House majority last year.
Mr. Walden of Oregon, the top Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, is the 18th on the growing list of GOP retirements this cycle.
His exit wasn’t for fear of losing re-election in 2020, he said.
“Based on recent polling, strong fundraising, and the backing of my wife and family, I am confident I could earn the support of 2nd District voters for another term. I’m also optimistic that a path exists for Republicans to recapture a majority in the House, and that I could return for two more years as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee,” he said in a statement. “But I also know that for me, the time has come to pursue new challenges and opportunities.”
Mr. Walden joins other key lawmakers such as Rep. Susan Brooks of Indiana, who heads the House GOP’s recruitment efforts, and Rep. Will Hurd of Texas, the only black Republican in the House.
The volume of Republican retirements — especially compared to the small handful of Democratic departures — is a reliable signal that party morale is faltering in the minority.
Republican leaders, however, remain optimistic about the 2020 elections. They view most of the retirements, except for Mr. Hurd’s swing district in Texas, as opportunities to bring in fresh faces.
Mr. Walden, who represented a rural part of Oregon, was first elected in 1998. Before his time in office, he owned and operated a radio station for more than 20 years, and served as the chairman of the House GOP campaign arm, the National Republican Congressional Committee, in 2014 and 2016.
Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota, the current NRCC chairman, said Mr. Walden’s seat will remain solidly Republican and that the outgoing lawmaker will be involved in 2020 efforts.
“Chairman Greg Walden is a class act and political juggernaut who will be sorely missed in Washington,” he said in a statement. “I consider it an honor to follow in Greg’s footsteps as NRCC chairman and will continue leaning on him for his support and guidance as we fight to take back the majority in 2020.”
Mr. Walden is the fourth top Republican on a committee to retire.
Texas Reps. Mike Conaway and Mac Thornberry — who served on the Agriculture and Armed Services committees, respectively — announced they were leaving Congress earlier this year. Natural Resources ranking member Rob Bishop, Utah Republican, also decided not to run for reelection.
• Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.