ANALYSIS — According to the narrative, House members are fleeing Capitol Hill because Congress is a miserable place to serve and work. But more than a handful of former members are trying to claw their way back to Washington, years after they left office.
With the current political climate, it shouldn’t be a surprise that the number of House members not seeking reelection is higher than average. But considering the age of some of the members and the influential spots they’re giving up, it is striking how some young-ish incumbents near the prime of their political careers have decided to head for the exits. Even though we tend to focus solely on politics, they could also be leaving for personal reasons or seeing an opportunity to make more money elsewhere.
Thirty-nine-year-old Wisconsin Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher was considered a rising star in the GOP and a coveted Senate candidate, but now he’s leaving Washington altogether and not seeking reelection in the 8th District.
