Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH) will resign on January 21 to become Youngstown State University’s president.
Johnson planned to resign in March.
The House has 219 Republicans and 213 Democrats.
The three vacancies belong to Republicans: Kevin McCarthy, George Santos, and Johnson.
The small majority could cause gridlock. From The Hill:
Part of government funding is set to expire Jan. 19, and Johnson’s resignation will come before the second Feb. 2 deadline.An upcoming special election and another expected resignation will further affect the exact House GOP majority number.A special election to replace Santos is set for Feb. 13. Election analysts at the nonpartisan Cook Political Report rated the special election as a “toss-up.” Former Rep. Tom Suozzi (D), who previously represented the district, is facing Republican Mazi Melesa Pilip, a Nassau County Legislator.
Johnson lashed out at elites in his resignation letter:
In his resignation letter sent to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Johnson described the residents of his district as “proud and patriotic,” but disregarded by America’s “elites.””These blue-collar communities, like countless others in ‘flyover county’ were critical in building our great nation and will play a pivotal role in America’s future. I am extremely humbled to have been repeatedly elected to serve them,” Johnson said.
Santos’s seat is a toss-up. Johnson’s seat is considered safe Republican. McCarthy’s seat is also a Republican stronghold.
Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY) will resign in February, giving Republicans some breathing room.
Higgins is tired of the pace in D.C.:
“I’ve always been a little impatient, and that trait has helped us deliver remarkable progress for this community,” Higgins said in a statement. “But the pace in Washington, D.C. can be slow and frustrating, especially this year.”“Therefore, after thoughtful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to leave Congress and explore other ways I can build up and serve Buffalo and Western New York,” he continued.
Higgins’ 26th district has voted Democrat in races since he took office in 2013. I’m guessing it will stay Democrat, but you never know!
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