California Rep. Lowenthal joins the Democrat exodus before the midterms: Nancy Pelosi faces reckoning in 2022 as another congressman drops out
- California’s Alan Lowenthal became the 20th House Democrat to announce he would not be seeking reelection in 2022 on Thursday
- By comparison, 11 House Republicans have so far said they will not seek reelection
- In a statement, the progressive lawmaker cited wanting to spend more time with his grandkids and wife
- But in an interview with the Long Beach Post, he admitted that his decision was also influenced by a belief that Republicans might win back the House next year
- Democrats’ majority in the House looks increasingly vulnerable, and Nancy Pelosi can only afford to lose three seats while keeping her party in power
California’s Alan Lowenthal became the 20th House Democrat to announce he would not be seeking reelection in 2022 on Thursday.
In a statement, the progressive lawmaker cited wanting to spend more time with his grandkids and wife. But in an interview with the Long Beach Post, he admitted that his decision was also influenced by the coronavirus pandemic and by a belief that Republicans might win back the House next year.
Democrats’ majority in the House looks increasingly vulnerable, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi can only afford to lose three seats while keeping her party in power.
Pelosi herself has reportedly signaled she will run again in 2022 and has not ruled out holding on to her leadership position, according to CNN. It would be the speaker’s 18th term and she would be 82 by election day.
California’s Alan Lowenthal became the 20th House Democrat to announce he would not be seeking reelection in 2022 on Thursday
Democrats’ majority in the House looks increasingly vulnerable, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi can only afford to lose three seats while keeping her party in power
By comparison, 11 House Republicans have so far said they will not seek reelection.
‘It is time to pass the baton. It is time to rest and surround myself with the benefits of a life well lived and earned honorably in the service of my fellow citizens,’ Lowenthal said in a statement.
‘During this journey, I have had the pleasure of raising two fine sons who have blessed me with four grandchildren who I adore. I now look forward to spending my time with them and watching them grow and flourish into wonderful people like their parents.’
Lowenthal, 80, is a liberal activist who was the first member of Congress to display a LGBTQ flag outside his office, according to the Post. He assumed office in 2013.
California will lose a House seat in the next Congress due to the lowest population growth in decades. The state is currently being redistricted and early drafts show Lowenthal’s district being dramatically altered.
Lowenthal said he’ll spend his last year in Congress pushing for the Break Free From Plastics bill he introduced in 2020, which requires plastics companies to be responsible for the recycling of their products.