Rep. Debbie Lesko, a Republican from Arizona, declared on Tuesday that she would not seek reelection in 2024, citing a desire to spend more time with her family.
Lesko published the statement on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Lesko was originally chosen in an April 2018 special election to fill a seat vacated by then-Republican Rep. Trent Franks of Arizona following allegations of sexual misconduct. She later won three consecutive full terms to Congress.
“It has been a great honor to serve the people of Arizona’s 8th Congressional District in Congress, however, I have decided not to run for re-election in 2024. I want to spend more time with my husband, my 94-year-old mother, my three children and my five grandchildren.” Lesko said in her statement.
“Spending, on average, three weeks out of every month away from my family, and traveling back and forth from Washington, D.C. almost every weekend is difficult. Washington, D.C. is broken; it is hard to get anything done.” she continued.
Lesko won reelection in 2022 with no opposition, defeating two write-in candidates with 96.5% of the vote.
It is unclear what Republicans may be interested in replacing Lesko in her district, although some online commentators floated former GOP Senate candidate Blake Masters as a potential replacement for Lesko.
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