Arizona Republican Rep. Debbie Lesko became the latest incumbent to announce that she would not be running for reelection in 2024, The Hill reported.
In a statement posted last Tuesday Lesko said she had decided against seeking another term in the House to spend more time with her immediate and extended family, explaining that spending three weeks a month away from her family, coupled with the constant travel to and from DC, has been “difficult” for her.
While Lesko conceded that Washington “is broken” and “it is hard to get anything done,” she assured her constituents that in her time remaining, she would continue working “to improve Congress” and helping her constituents.
The Arizona Rep. thanked those who supported her throughout her time in Congress and assured them that she will “continue to passionately serve our constituents” until she leaves office in January 2025.
Lesko first took office in 2018 after winning a special election to replace outgoing Congressman Trent Franks. She was elected to her first full term in the 2018 midterm elections.
An outspoken pro-life lawmaker and member of the House Freedom Caucus, Lesko also founded the Protect Kids Caucus and served as co-chair of the Values Action Team, the Congressional Western Caucus, and the Women in Stem Caucus.
As her district is deep red, it is likely Lesko’s replacement will also be a Republican. However, as Arizona continues to shift from red to purple, losing nearly every state office and the US Senate to the Democrats, that will likely depend on whom the GOP runs to replace her.
Lesko is the latest incumbent House member to announce retirement.
Last month, Virginia Democrat Rep. Jennifer Wexton announced that she would not be running for reelection due to health concerns. Wexton, 54, announced in April that she had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
