New York Congresswoman Becomes 30th Dem to Forgo Re-Election in 2022, Putting Her Seat in Jeopardy

U.S. House Rep Kathleen Rice (D-NY) became the 30th Democrat to forgo re-election in 2022 and her decision not to run puts her seat in jeopardy.

According to Cook Political, the 4th District in New York has only an 8 point Democrat advantage, which would likely have been tough for Republicans to overcome with a four-term Congresswoman in the seat.

Now, all bets are off as the seat is wide open with the Long Island representative stepping down even though the New York Democrats attempted to make a 22-4 gerrymander in the state.

In a statement, Rice said that it has been an “honor” to serve in public office but that elected officials “must give all we have and then know when it is time to allow others to serve.”

Rice explained, “Though I will not be running for re-election to Congress this year, I will remain focused on protecting our democracy and serving my constituents throughout the rest of my term.”

“As I turn to the next chapter of my own personal and professional story, I do so with profound thanks to the community leaders, colleagues and staff who have lived our shared commitment to service with courage and humility,” Rice added in the statement and in a tweet sharing the statement.

Redistricting expert Dave Wasserman quote tweeted Rice and said, “Rice becomes the 30th House Dem to forgo reelection, and #NY04 could be in play depending on the size of a GOP wave.”

Mike Berg, a spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee, said of the move, “Thirty House Democrats have called it quits because they know their majority is doomed.”

Rice becomes the 30th House Dem to forgo reelection, and #NY04 could be in play depending on the size of a GOP wave. https://t.co/zUhwHtM78G

— Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) February 15, 2022

Although Rice is considered a moderate, she, along with Rep Ted Lieu (D-HI), sent a criminal referral to the FBI over the phone call between then-President Donald Trump and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.

However, Rice also opposed Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) from becoming speaker again after the Democrats won back the House in 2018.

Pelosi then got revenge on Rice by denying the former Nassau prosecutor a coveted seat on the lower chamber’s high-profile Judiciary Committee.