Republican Ohio Rep. Pat Tiberi, first elected to office in 2000, announced his resignation Thursday.
“Today, it is with a humble and thankful heart that I announce I will not be seeking reelection. While I have not yet determined a final resignation date, I will be leaving Congress by January 31, 2018,” Tiberi said in a statement. “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.”
Several Republican lawmakers have announced this year they will not seek re-election. This list includes Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker, Florida Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Pennsylvania Rep. Charlie Dent.
The New York Times first reported Wednesday that Tiberi would retire and described Tiberi as “an influential member of the House Ways and Means Committee,” which is the chief tax-writing committee.
The Ohio congressman, 54, is from a reliably Republican district and his resignation will force a special election.