Texas Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson announced Saturday she will not seek reelection in 2022, becoming the latest high-ranking Democratic member of Congress to not seek another term in office.
Johnson’s news follows Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Rep. G.K. Butterfield of North Carolina who have announced they are retiring from public office. Republican Sens. Roy Blunt, Richard Burr, and Richard Shelby are also retiring.
“I have gone back and forth … the whole time because of the pleading and the asking, but as of January … year after next, I will step down,” Johnson said. “There is a good reason I should stay: I am a personal friend to the president. I have gained some respect and influence.”
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Despite the reasons to run in 2023, she said she is sticking to the promise she made voters in 2020, which is that she would retire at the end of the term.
Johnson, now 85, has been a member of Congress for 30 years. Johnson was the first woman and first black person to head the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. She also served as the first black woman representing Dallas in the state Senate since Reconstruction, the Washington Post reported.
Throughout her career, Johnson made friends on both sides of the political aisle and called herself an “old-school Democrat” who understood that Congress needed bipartisanship to get things done.
Republican Rep. Frank D. Lucas, who worked with her on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, said he could not have asked for a better political counterpart.
“EBJ, as I affectionately call her, is a true public servant, and she cares deeply about supporting American science,” Lucas said in his statement. “While we don’t always agree on the best way to do that, we are usually able to find common ground and work together to pass strong bipartisan policies. She’s an old-school legislator who cares more about results than headlines, and I respect that deeply.”
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi also commented on her leadership and career in Congress and the work she has done for the state of Texas.
“[Johnson] has been a dedicated and highly effective leader on behalf of Dallas-area families and the entire nation for her 30 years in the Congress and nearly 50 years in public service,” Pelosi said. “Her leadership and friendship will be missed by many in the Congress.”
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Sixteen House Democrats have indicated they will not seek reelection so far, according to the Post.
Johnson said she will be endorsing someone to replace her, preferably a woman, but has not made the decision on who yet.
