Rep. Martha Roby (R-AL) announced Friday that she will not run for reelection in 2020, making her the third Republican to decide against a reelection bid this week.
Her statement via Alabama Politics:
INBOX: Martha Roby announces she will not seek sixth congressional term. pic.twitter.com/2TvBW9JYU9
— Alabama Politics (@AlabamaPolitics) July 26, 2019
She won her 2018 reelection by more than 60 percent of the vote.
Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX), representing a district experiencing rapid demographic change, announced his retirement on Thursday. Rep. Paul Mitchell (R-MI) bowed out Wednesday, citing the “rhetoric and vitriol.”
Roby’s decision will also be a singular blow to her party due to her gender: she is one of 13 female members of the House’s Republican caucus, as the party has struggled to recruit more women to run.
Apparently they don’t believe the Russians can get them re-elected. Gutless cowards.
Yep, keep telling us how well the Republican party is doing under Trump. Yes sireee Bob they are doing outstanding.
reminder
I wonder how many of these people were shaken by private encounters with constituents disgusted by what their party has become. How many have had to deal with staffers in tears over outraged phone calls, or quitting because of family separation, the lies, the racism, all that coming back on them, how many have had wives and husbands say they aren’t the person they married if they go on with this party, all that kind of thing? It would have to take a huge toll.
Roby’s district (PVI +16R) and Mitchell’s district (PVI +13R) are not really in play. Both represent republicans who just don’t want to play Trump’s game.
The bigger - far more important seat is Pete Olson, his Houston Seat is PVI +10, but that figure is probably outdated at this point. It is rapidly changing and is now majority minority. Olson only won by 5% in 2018, and it is a seat that if the D’s get a good candidate on the ballot in 2020 to drive turnout - combined with another +2-3% shift to the D’s due to demographic change, is a likely pick up chance for the D’s.
Olson is reading the tea leaves, and has decided to leave as a “winner”.