Republicans, already struggling to recruit female candidates, are about to lose another member in their ranks.
Rep. Susan Brooks, on Friday announced she would retire after the 2020 elections after eight years in office. The Indiana lawmaker is among one of only 13 GOP women in the House and eight in the Senate. Brooks, 58, who sits on the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, is also the National Republican Congressional Committee’s recruitment chief.
While touting her legislative achievements in policy areas such as healthcare, abuse, and national security, Brooks explained in a statement to the Washington Examiner that the demands of the job had taken a toll.
“This kind of work demands much. You’re never off the clock and there is always more work to be done. With gratitude for all that I’ve accomplished, I believe in term limits and in the power of new talent. At this point in my life, I’m ready to focus on the people who’ve done so much to support and care for me throughout my career: my husband David and our family and our dear friends,” she said of her retirement.
Indiana’s 5th District, based in the northern end of Indianapolis and its eastern and northern suburbs, is solid if not overwhelmingly Republican. Voters there in 2016 backed President Trump over Democratic rival Hillary Clinton 53-41%.
NRCC Chairman Tom Emmer, in a statement, downplayed concerns Brooks’ departure will hinder her party-building responsibilities.
“When we look back, Susan’s legacy will be that she played an instrumental role in leaving our new Republican majority far more diverse than it was when she found it,” Emmer, R-Minn., said. “Susan has assured me that she will be increasing her recruitment efforts, so we are full steam ahead.”
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairwoman Cheri Bustos, Emmer’s counterpart, used Brooks’ exit to hit the House GOP over their female talent shortage.
“I’ve worked with Congresswoman Brooks and I wish her well in her retirement,” Bustos, D-Ill., said. “However, in a party whose leadership continually marginalizes women’s voices, losing Congresswoman Brooks, who was working hard to recruit women to run for office, underscores the problem Washington Republicans have created for themselves.”
Brooks is one of nine lawmakers retiring at the end of the 116th Congress, but retirements are not the only cause of change on Capitol Hill. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M, is running for the Senate, Rep. Tom Marino, R-Pa., resigned in January two weeks after being sworn in, and Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., died in February after his health declined following a hip injury.
