Retiring Democratic Reps. John Yarmuth (Ky.), David Price (N.C.), and Mike Doyle (Pa.) have said personal issues were "paramount" in their decisions to step down, but they cited three "political factors" as having played into things, as well: redistricting ahead of the 2022 midterms, former President Donald Trump's influence over the GOP, and increasing division within the Democratic party, writes Jonathan Weisman for The New York Times.
Regarding redistricting, Price told Weisman he fears polarization will grow as district maps become more partisan. Doyle expects his district to expand into more Trump-friendly Pennsylvania counties, meaning although he could still win, he'd have to face a whole new set of voters and challenges. "After 26 years in the House, retirement was logical," writes Weisman.
On top of that, Price feels the Jan. 6 Capitol riot has both "scarred the House" and "raised serious questions" about the future of elections, the rule of law, and "the very future of democracy," per Weisman. Yarmuth echoed such sentiments, noting that, with far-right GOPers already calling to impeach President Biden, "the prospect of serving in the minority is horrifying."
Subscribe to 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.
The representatives also described the intraparty issues among Democrats as a threat and a challenge to functional governance. "I have a concern that we will have the ability to pull ourselves together, and not fracture among the caucuses the way the Republicans have," said Price. And Yarmuth feels those in his own party "who have been drawing all the lines" in the House don't know how to compromise like the older members. "They all have come since 2010," he told Weisman.
But perhaps Doyle explained it best: "We're not having trouble getting reconciliation done because of Republicans; it's because of ourselves."
-
Abrego released from jail, faces Uganda deportationSpeed Read The wrongly deported Kilmar Abrego García is expected to be detained at an ICE check-in and deported to Uganda
-
Trump arms National Guard in DC, threatens other citiesspeed read His next targets are Chicago, New York and Baltimore
-
Judge: Trump's US attorney in NJ serving unlawfullySpeed Read The appointment of Trump's former personal defense lawyer, Alina Habba, as acting US attorney in New Jersey was ruled 'unlawful'
-
Third judge rejects DOJ's Epstein records requestSpeed Read Judge Richard Berman was the third and final federal judge to reject DOJ petitions to unseal Epstein-related grand jury material
-
Texas OKs gerrymander sought by TrumpSpeed Read The House approved a new congressional map aimed at flipping Democratic-held seats to Republican control
-
Israel starts Gaza assault, approves West Bank planSpeed Read Israel forces pushed into the outskirts of Gaza City and Netanyahu's government gave approval for a settlement to cut the occupied Palestinian territory in two
-
Court says labor board's structure unconstitutionalSpeed Read The ruling has broad implications for labor rights enforcement in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi
-
Feds seek harsh charges in DC arrests, except for riflesSpeed Read The DOJ said 465 arrests had been made in D.C. since Trump federalized law enforcement there two weeks ago
