Rep. Vern Buchanan, a Republican from Florida and the vice chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, declared his retirement from Congress on Tuesday.
“Serving the people of Southwest Florida has been the greatest honor of my life,” Buchanan expressed in a statement. “Achieving anything worthwhile begins with listening to constituents and championing their priorities. I entered Congress to tackle issues, advocate for working families, and help ensure this nation remains a land of opportunity for anyone dedicated to serving. After two decades in public service, I feel it’s time to hand over the reins and start a new chapter.”
In October 2023, Breitbart News noted that Buchanan was among the 23 House Republicans who opposed Rep. Jim Jordan’s bid for speaker. Interestingly, he was spotted bowling at President Biden’s White House during the speaker vote.
Buchanan has joined a growing list of lawmakers announcing their retirement. An analysis by the Associated Press revealed that by January 17, 10 percent of House members had decided not to seek re-election.
The proportion of current members planning to resign has surpassed 10%, marking the highest rate since at least the Obama administration, according to an AP analysis of House resignations since 2013.
As of Wednesday, 47 members of the House (21 Democrats and 26 Republicans) have made it known that they will retire by the year’s end. This doesn’t account for nine members who either resigned or passed away this term, with their seats to be filled before the general election in November.
The Associated Press also highlighted that various Senate and gubernatorial seats are becoming available, creating a tempting landscape for campaigns for higher offices. Of those stepping down, 27 have indicated they will pursue other career paths; 14 are eyeing the Senate, while 12 are aiming for gubernatorial positions.
Furthermore, many of the retiring officials are older. The average age for retiring senators is over 68, while retiring House members average 57. Adjustments to congressional maps in several states have also altered the political landscape for incumbents considering re-election.
