Republican Michigan Rep. Dave Trott became the third House Republican to declare his retirement in the past week. In a statement Monday, the representative said he wishes to return home to spend more time with his family and “return to the private sector.”
Trott’s decision follows GOP moderates Rep. Dave Reichert and Rep. Charlie Dent announcing that they both plan not to seek re-election in 2018. Another Republican moderate, Florida Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, announced earlier in the year she would retired.
“While I initially ran for Congress, I express my desire to serve as a citizen legislator in Washington. Our country’s Founding Fathers envisioned a government where citizens leave private life, serve for a brief time, and then return home to their communities,” Rep. Trott said in a statement.
“Surprised and disappointed. I think he’s a very sharp member who served Michigan well,” former Michigan Republican Party chairman Saul Anuzis told The Daily Caller following Trott’s decision. “I believe he had a bright future and am disappointed we’ll be losing such an effective leader.”
Shortly after his announcement, Cook Political Report said that the race in Michigan’s 11 district is now a toss up.
“The [National Republican Congressional Committee] is looking forward to keeping his seat red in 2018,” NRCC chairman Steve Stivers said in a statement. “We will not let his hard work go to waste, and are confident this seat will remain under Republican control.”