Rep. Drew Ferguson (R-GA), a prominent member of the GOP leadership team, has made a surprising announcement regarding his future in Congress. After serving as the House GOP’s chief deputy whip since 2019, Ferguson has declared that he will not be running for re-election next year. Instead, he intends to retire from politics.
This decision aligns him with numerous other representatives and senators from both the Republican and Democratic parties who have chosen to step down from their positions at the conclusion of the current term, or even earlier in certain instances. In a statement, Rep. Ferguson expressed his reasons for this significant career change.
“Upon the conclusion of the 118th Congress, I will be retiring from the House of Representatives.
“Serving the wonderful constituents of Georgia’s Third District has been the honor of a lifetime.
“I have been blessed to have worked with such a talented and dedicated staff in my District and D.C. offices.”
He emphasized his contributions on the House Ways and Means Committee, expressing his deep sense of honor in serving as the chief deputy whip. Additionally, due to his background as a healthcare worker, he specifically emphasized his endeavors in addressing critical matters such as “antimicrobial resistance” and the “mental health crisis” within our nation.
“Georgia is truly a special place, and it’s calling us home,” the congressman added.
“Julie and I look forward to spending more time with our children and grandchildren while continuing to work to keep Georgia the best state in America to live and do business.”
Politico reported that Rep. Ferguson’s Georgia district, which includes certain suburbs in the Atlanta metro area, is considered a secure seat for Republicans and is unlikely to be won by Democrats in the upcoming election cycle.
The news outlet mentioned that the congressman had contemplated running for the position of House majority whip but appeared to have changed his mind after facing opposition from former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) earlier this year. According to The Hill, Ferguson was among several House Republicans who claimed to have received threats after voting against Rep. Jim Jordan’s (R-OH) failed bid for speakership following McCarthy’s removal.
At the time, he stated, seemingly referring to Jordan, “The House Republican conference does not need a bully as the speaker.”
Just one day before Rep. Ferguson announced his retirement, The New York Times reported that, as of Wednesday, at least 38 House members were preparing to conclude their legislative service by the end of the current term. This included 21 Democrats who were not seeking re-election and would retire at the end of 2024, as well as three Democrats who planned to leave Congress before the current term concluded and would likely be replaced through special elections.
The number also included 10 Republicans, excluding Ferguson, who planned to retire, and four who intended to leave early at some point next year. USA Today stated that the retiring congressional members cited various reasons for their decision to retire from Congress.
The most common reason mentioned was the belief that Washington D.C. was too “broken” and plagued by constant partisan bickering and internal conflicts. However, some, like Ferguson, mentioned a desire to spend more time with their families.
Meanwhile, a few older members indicated that they were stepping aside to make way for younger successors.
