The Republican Party is sitting pretty, so far, heading into next year's election given the fact that several Democrats have announced they're not running for reelection.
According to the Washington Examiner, the latest Democrat to throw in the proverbial towel is Rep. Dan Kildee (D-MI), who announced Thursday that he will officially end his term in the lower chamber in Jan. 2025, when the new session official begins after the 2024 election.
The shocking news gives Republicans a strong chance of a new seat pickup, which they could desperately use given their slim majority, which will prove challenging to hold onto if the off-year elections are any indication of what's to come at that level.
I have decided to not seek re-election and will leave Congress at the end of my term on January 3, 2025.
To my constituents and my supporters—thank you. pic.twitter.com/S4IKHv4HmY
— Rep. Dan Kildee (@RepDanKildee) November 16, 2023
The congressman explained that his cancer diagnosis has forced him to reevaluate his life, hence the announcement.
That means Michigan's 8th Congressional District will be up for grabs, and if Republicans can find a way to secure it, it would be a massive gain for the red side of the aisle.
Kildee's retirement announcement switched the Michigan seat from "leans left" to "toss-up."
Dan Kildee’s (D) retirement in #MI08 moves its Avg Rating from Lean Democrat ➡️ Toss-Up
Per these current ratings, Democrats would have to win all of the Likely D + Lean D + Tilt D + 12 out of 15 Toss-Up seats to win back the majority
The NY redistricting case looms ever larger pic.twitter.com/r7pPvDY1FQ
— Adam Carlson (@admcrlsn) November 17, 2023
"I was first elected to public office when I was 18 years old. Nearly five decades later, I continue to love public service and the work I do every day. For most of this year, I saw myself continuing to serve and was actively planning another campaign," Kildee said in a statement.
"But there are times in all our lives that make you reassess your own future and path. For me, being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year was one of those moments. Thankfully, earlier this year I had successful surgery and I’m cancer-free."
He vowed to continue to serve the state that he represented for a long stretch -- 60 years in total -- just not in political office.
"While I’m stepping back from elected office at the end of my term, I’m most definitely not retiring. I’m looking forward to a new chapter continuing to serve Flint and mid-Michigan, just outside of elected office," Kildee said.
He tossed in his support for President Joe Biden, assuring his Democratic constituents that Biden will win Michigan without a problem.
"And while my name will not be on the ballot next November, I will be doing everything I can to help elect commonsense, principled and results-oriented leaders."
