Rep. Greg Walden, the top Republican on the Energy and Commerce Committee, announced Monday he won’t seek reelection, adding his name to a growing list of House Republican retirements.
Walden, of Oregon, becomes the 17th Republican House lawmaker to call it quits ahead of the 2020 election.
House Republicans lost the majority in the 2018 election and have been coping with a string of retirements that will make it more difficult for the party to win back the chamber.
In a statement, Walden said he was confident he could win reelection to the 2nd District seat, a claim supported by the Cook Political Report, which did not even list Walden’s seat as competitive.
“For me, the time has come to pursue new challenges and opportunities,” said Walden, a former radio station owner. “So, I will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives, nor election to any other office, but instead I will close the public service chapter of my life, thankful for the friends I’ve made and the successful work we’ve done together.”
Walden served as energy and commerce chairman when the GOP was in the majority and still had an additional term left to serve as the top Republican on the committee.
He is a former chairman of the House campaign arm, the National Republican Congressional Committee.
His departure will prompt a competition among panel Republicans to win the top GOP spot on the committee.
The next most senior Republican on the committee is Michigan Rep. Fred Upton, who has already served as chairman. Next in line is Illinois Rep. John Shimkus, who is retiring, followed by Texas Rep. Michael Burgess, who is seeking reelection. Former GOP Conference Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers plans to run for the top Republican spot on the committee as well.
Oregon’s 2nd District seat has been safe for the GOP. Walden has held the seat since 1999.
The filing deadline for 2020 candidates is March 10, and the primary is May 19.
