House

Texas Democrat Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson announces retirement at end of term

by Caroline Vakil - 11/20/21 2:58 PM ET

Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (Texas) announced on Saturday that she will be retiring once she finishes her current term, becoming the latest Democrat to announce she is forgoing reelection, according to The Dallas Morning News.

Johnson, who has served in Congress for close to three decades and has broken barriers in both Texas politics and the House, said she decided against running again despite receiving support for a reelection bid.

Johnson has marked many firsts over the course of her political career. She was the first Black woman elected to public office in Dallas, the first Black person to represent the city in the Texas state Senate since Reconstruction, the first registered nurse voted into Congress, and the first Black woman to chair the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, per the Morning News.

“I’ve worked hard. It’s not just a title — it’s a job,” Johnson said of her time in Congress during her announcement, according to the Morning News.

“It’s been some rugged times, but I have not acknowledged it. I was determined that I wouldn’t just be a title. I wanted to deliver. I thought about the district and all the needs that it had,” she continued.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said in a statement that Johnson was a political trailblazer and would be missed by her colleagues.

“Chairwoman Johnson has made progress, as a lawmaker with a track record of success for America’s children and future, including to promote STEM education, ensure diversity and inclusion in science and combat the climate crisis with a firm focus on innovation,” Pelosi said in her statement.

According to the Morning News, Johnson is one of 16 Democratic lawmakers to say so far that they will not be seeking reelection for the upcoming midterm season in 2022.

Other Democrats who will not run again include Reps. Jackie Speier (Calif.), Mike Doyle (Pa.), David Price (N.C.) and John Yarmuth (Ky.) and Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.).

A handful of Republicans have also announced they won’t seek reelection in 2022, including Rep. Adam Kinzinger (Ill.) and Rep. Anthony Gonzalez (Ohio), who both voted to impeach former President Trump following the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

GOP Sens. Roy Blunt (Mo.), Richard Burr (N.C.) and Richard Shelby (Ala.) are also not running again next year.

The Hill has reached out to Johnson’s office for comment.

— Updated at 6:22 p.m.