Ohio Republican Tiberi to leave Congress

Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-Ohio) announced Thursday that he is leaving Congress before the end of his term to lead the Ohio Business Roundtable.

“Today, it is with a humble and thankful heart that I announce I will not be seeking reelection,” Tiberi said in a statement Thursday. “While I have not yet determined a final resignation date, I will be leaving Congress by January 31, 2018.”

“I have been presented with an opportunity to lead the Ohio Business Roundtable that will allow me to continue to work on public policy issues impacting Ohioans while also spending more time with my family,” he continued. “Leaving Congress is not a decision I take lightly but after a lot of consideration, it is the best one for me, my wife, Denice, and our four wonderful daughters.”

Tiberi, who was first elected to Congress in 2000, is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee, leading its health subcommittee. He also serves as chairman of the Joint Economic Committee.

The New York Times first reported Tiberi’s expected resignation.

President Trump carried Tiberi’s central Ohio district by approximately 11 points in 2016, 53.2 to 41.9 percent, over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Republican Mitt Romney topped former President Barack Obama, 54.4 percent to 43.9 percent, in the 12th District in 2012.

The report comes after Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) recently announced that he does not plan to run for reelection.

Last month, two moderate Republicans —Reps. Dave Reichert (Wash.) and Charlie Dent (Pa.) — also announced surprise retirements, sparking worries in some members of the GOP about whether the party could hold the House majority.