U.S. House Rep John Katko (R-NY), who was one of ten Republicans in the House to vote to impeach then-President Donald Trump last January, announced today that he won’t run for re-election in 2022.
In a statement, Trump celebrated the news and declared, “Great news, another one bites the dust. Katko, from upstate New York, is gone!”
Trump had offered to back a challenger to Katko, calling him “Bad News” and it was possible that his district might be merged with Rep Claudia Tenney, in which case Trump would back her.
Three Republicans had already declared to challenge Katko including Andrew McCarthy who had filed as a candidate with the Federal Election Commission last week.
McCarthy is a Defense Department intelligence analyst who said he would tap into Trump’s network of political and financial supporters.
In a letter announcing the retirement, Katko said he wants to spend more time with his family after a “gut-wrenching” three years in which he and his wife buried all four of their parents.
The four-term Congress explained, “That’s why after 32 years of public service, I have decided not to seek re-election to Congress, so that I can enjoy my family and life in a fuller and more present way.”
Redistricting expert Dave Wasserman said of the news, “Dems now face a big choice in the wake of Rep. John Katko (R) retirement: split the Syracuse region into two Biden +10 districts (23D-3R overall), draw one Biden +20 Syracuse/Utica/Ithaca ultra-safe seat (22D-4R overall) or something in between.”
In a previous tweet, Wasserman also felt that Katko was “Probably the only Republican who could hold the seat, especially if Dems redraw the district to be much bluer.
Dems now face a big choice in the wake of Rep. John Katko (R) retirement: split the Syracuse region into two Biden +10 districts (23D-3R overall), draw one Biden +20 Syracuse/Utica/Ithaca ultra-safe seat (22D-4R overall) or something in between.
— Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) January 14, 2022
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