GOP Trump critic Adam Kinzinger won't run for re-election: 'Time to move on'


Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), a Republican critic of former President Donald Trump who voted to impeach him earlier this year, has announced he won't seek re-election.
Kinzinger made the announcement in a video shared Friday on Twitter, saying it's "time to move on from Congress" and that he can't "focus on both a re-election" campaign and on "a broader fight nationwide."
Kinzinger, who has served in Congress since 2011, is one of only two Republicans on the congressional committee probing the Jan. 6 riot, with the other being Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.). He was also one of 10 Republicans in the House of Representatives who voted to impeach Trump for inciting the riot. Kinzinger told The Washington Post at the time voting to impeach "was, frankly, an easy decision," and in his announcement video, he applauded the "courage of the other nine members in the House" who voted with him even though this "could be detrimental to their political career." The announcement came after the Illinois state legislature "passed a new congressional map early Friday morning that drew the lawmaker into the same district with another Republican incumbent," Rep. Darin Lahood (R-Il.), "setting up a would-be primary matchup," Politico reports.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Kinzinger on Friday also said "we've allowed leaders to reach power selling the false premise that strength comes from degrading others" and warned that as a result, "We face a poisoned country." While he won't run for re-election next year, though, he said "this isn't the end of my political future, but the beginning." In August, Kinzinger told Politico, "I certainly wouldn't rule out Senate or governor and anything else. Maybe, who knows?"
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Is Kash Patel’s fate sealed after Kirk shooting missteps?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION The FBI’s bungled response in the immediate aftermath of the Charlie Kirk shooting has director Kash Patel in the hot seat
-
‘We must empower young athletes with the knowledge to stay safe’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Fox’s Kilmeade sorry for ‘just kill’ homeless remark
Speed Read Kilmeade’s ‘rare on-air apology’ also served as Fox News’ response to the controversy
-
Why does Donald Trump keep showing up at major sporting events?
Today's Big Question Trump has appeared at the Super Bowl, the Daytona 500 and other events
-
House posts lewd Epstein note attributed to Trump
Speed Read The estate of Jeffrey Epstein turned over the infamous 2003 birthday note from President Donald Trump
-
Supreme Court allows 'roving' race-tied ICE raids
Speed Read The court paused a federal judge's order barring agents from detaining suspected undocumented immigrants in LA based on race
-
South Korea to fetch workers detained in Georgia raid
Speed Read More than 300 South Korean workers detained in an immigration raid at a Hyundai plant will be released
-
DC sues Trump to end Guard 'occupation'
Speed Read D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb argues that the unsolicited military presence violates the law
-
RFK Jr. faces bipartisan heat in Senate hearing
Speed Read The health secretary defended his leadership amid CDC turmoil and deflected questions about the restricted availability of vaccines
-
White House defends boat strike as legal doubts mount
Speed Read Experts say there was no legal justification for killing 11 alleged drug-traffickers
-
Epstein accusers urge full file release, hint at own list
speed read A rally was organized by Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, who are hoping to force a vote on their Epstein Files Transparency Act