Pelosi Suffers Big Blow As Two More Dem Reps Retire Rather Than Face Red Wave in 2022
Speaker Nancy Pelosi just suffered another big blow with the announcement that two longtime Dem Reps will retire rather than face a red wave in 2022 and end up powerless in the minority. The Dems have seen a wave of early retirements, always a sign that the politicians know the writing in the wall.
Being in the minority in the Senate is different because the filibuster allows them to exercise some power. But in the House, there is no such mechanism so the minority party is left with little power or ability to effect change.
Reps. Mike Doyle (Pa.) and David Price (N.C.) both said they won’t seek reelection next year. The GOP only needs to flip a net five seats to win the House majority and send Nancy Pelosi packing.
Doyle said: “I believe the time had come to pass the torch to the next generation, this was not an easy decision and I spent the most of this year going back and forth.”
House Budget Committee Chairman John Yarmuth (Ky.), said last week that he will retire ahead as well bringing the number of House Democrats deciding not to seek reelection to 12.
Mike Berg, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee said: “Smart Democrats are fleeing Congress as fast as humanly possible because they know Democrats’ majority is coming to an end.”
Ian Russell, a former top strategist for the Dems said: “I’m sure members are also keeping an eye on the political weather, trying to divine how 2022 is shaping up.
“When I was at DCCC, we’d beg, plead and cajole members in seats like that to run again. It was a huge priority for leadership,” he said.
NC Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, said: “David Price is the epitome of what it means to be a public servant and our state is stronger thanks to his years of work.”
Longtime Pittsburgh Democrat Mike Doyle is retiring from Congress after more than 25 years in office.
— Lucy Perkins (@lucyeperk) October 18, 2021
“I believe the time had come to pass the torch to the next generation…this was not an easy decision and I spent the most of this year going back and forth.” pic.twitter.com/9B1dU3Qca1
Democrat David Price will retire after more than 30 years representing NC in Congress https://t.co/calmhwjzwU #ncpol
— Dawn B. Vaughan (@dawnbvaughan) October 18, 2021