Gowdy on retirement: ‘In politics it really is just about winning’

Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) on Wednesday discussed his reasoning for leaving Congress for the justice system in his home state, saying politics is just about winning. 

“I’ve been in public service for 25 years. I really enjoyed the courtroom. I haven’t been good I don’t think in Congress, and I don’t enjoy it,” Gowdy told CNN’s Alisyn Camerota on “New Day.” 

{mosads}

“I don’t know that I’ve done anything wrong. I like fairness. I like process. I like facts,” he continued. 

“In politics it really is just about winning,” he said. “If you’re in the minority, your No. 1 goal is to become the majority. I was thinking last night when President Obama was elected several Republicans said their objective was to make him a one-term president. Not to do good for the country.”

Gowdy, who serves as House Oversight and Government Reform Committee chairman, took Washington by surprise in January when he announced he would not be seeking reelection.

“There is a time to come and a time to go. This is the right time, for me, to leave politics and return to the justice system,” he said in his announcement.

“Whatever skills I may have are better utilized in a courtroom than in Congress, and I enjoy our justice system more than our political system.”

Gowdy was the 10th committee chairman to decide against running for reelection in 2018, which has led to worries within the GOP ranks.