Rep. Ryan Costello, R-Pa., will not seek reelection in November, the two-term congressman confirmed Sunday.
“At this moment in time running for reelection is not the prudent course of action,” Costello told MSNBC. “And I say that after a lot of deliberation. It’s been a very tough decision for me to make, but I think I’m making the right decision.”
WATCH from @RepRyanCostello: “At this moment in time running for reelection is not the prudent course of action” pic.twitter.com/8UzSXqmqGf
— Kasie DC (@KasieDC) March 26, 2018
Costello is withdrawing from the GOP primary contest for Pennsylvania’s 6th District set for May 15, despite filing paperwork this week to have his name placed on the ballot.
The Republican’s decision to seek employment in the private sector rather than mount a costly re-election bid follows the U.S. Supreme Court declining to hear a GOP challenge to the state’s congressional map, which many operatives believe favors Democrats.
It also comes as Democrat Conor Lamb clinched victory by 627 votes against Republican Rick Saccone in a special election for Pennsylvania’s 18th congressional district earlier in March.
President Trump won the same district by 20 percentage points in 2016.
On Sunday, Costello also cited family concerns and the current political environment as reasons to pull his candidacy.
“We’re talking about porn stars and the president rather than tax policy or what we need to get done by the end of the year,” Costello said.
Another reason why @RepRyanCostello is not running for re-election: “We’re talking about porn stars and the president rather than tax policy” pic.twitter.com/oJYXeY3odo
— Kasie DC (@KasieDC) March 26, 2018
Lawyer Greg McCauley is the only GOP candidate who has filed signatures to run for the district.
He will likely face Democrat Chrissy Houlahan, an Air Force veteran and businesswoman, in the general.
