U.S. Rep. Greg Pence will not seek re-election, he announced Tuesday.
The Indiana Republican, former Vice President Mike Pence’s older brother, has become the latest of many lawmakers to recently retire from the House.
All in all, 37 representatives — 21 Democrats and 16 Republicans — have declined to run for re-election this year. Four of those Republicans represent Indiana districts.
“In 2017, I ran for Congress because I was Ready to Serve Again. As a former Marine Officer, I approached the job with purpose. After three terms, I’ve made the decision to not file for reelection,” Pence said in his statement.
“For the remainder of my term this year, our team will continue to focus on delivering outstanding constituent services. To the voters in Indiana’s 6th District — it is a privilege and honor to represent you in our Nation’s capital.”
Greg Pence was first elected in 2018 to the district spanning parts of central, eastern and south-central Indiana. He represents a seat rated R+9, and he didn’t explain his decision to retire.
His most famous sibling had held the seat for 12 years before later serving as Indiana’s governor.
Pence wasn’t the only congressman to announce retirement this week.
On Monday, Republican U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon announced that he would not seek reelection this year to an eighth term to southern and western Indiana’s 8th District and will retire from Congress after 14 years.
Bucshon and Pence’s announcements mean four of Indiana’s nine congressional districts will be open heading into the November general election.
In January 2023, Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Banks announced that he would not seek reelection to northeastern Indiana’s 3rd District because he was running for Indiana’s U.S. Senate seat being vacated by GOP Sen. Mike Braun, who is running for Indiana governor.
The following month, Republican U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz announced she would not seek reelection to a third term representing central Indiana’s 5th District.
More representatives could announce retirement soon. Some states, like Pennsylvania, are still weeks away from allowing candidates to start filing.
Alternately, some representatives, like West Virginia Republican Alex Mooney, are retiring from the House to seek other offices. If they’re set to lose races for these other offices, then they may come out of retirement.
Given all these retirements, Republicans have the early edge in this year’s House elections.
Granted, Republicans certainly had the most high-profile exits. Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., became only the third lawmaker to be expelled by colleagues since the Civil War. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., was the first-ever speaker removed from that office by his colleagues. He opted to leave effective Dec. 31 rather than serve among the rank-and-file.
However, it’s the departure of a handful of Democrats in competitive districts that has Republicans thinking the overall retirement picture gives them an advantage in determining who will control the House after the 2024 elections.
Reps. Katie Porter of California, Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Abigail Spanberger of Virginia proved they could win toss-up congressional districts in good election cycles for Democrats and not-so-good cycles. They are all seeking higher office within their home states. Porter and Slotkin are running for the U.S. Senate. Spanberger is running for governor in 2025.
Democrats are also losing six-term Rep. Dan Kildee of Michigan to retirement, leaving them with another competitive open seat to defend in a state that will be crucial in the presidential election. Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-Va., is not seeking reelection due to health challenges in a district that leans Democratic but is more competitive than most.
On the other side, the Republicans leaving office generally represent districts that Democrats have little chance of flipping.
They’ll be replaced by Republicans, predicted Rep. Richard Hudson, the chairman of the House Republican campaign arm.
“Retirements are a huge problem for the Democrats. They’re not a problem for us,” Hudson said.
Santos may represent a toss-up seat… but Pence represents a district rated R+9.