(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Despite the big wins in the White House and the Senate, 2020 was still a tough year for House Democrats. As you probably recall, going into the election Democrats were hoping to pick up as many as 10-15 House seats. In fact, Cook Political Report concluded Dems would likely again that many in its final pre-election forecast.
What actually happened was a loss of a dozen seats. The stunning turnaround prompted one unnamed Democratic lawmaker to tell Politico, “It’s a dumpster fire.” And while some Democrats were upset with Nancy Pelosi, others took out their frustration on AOC and her Squad. And to be fair, they probably had a point. AOC had been pushing unpopular policies (defunding the police, banning fracking, socialism) and, as always, getting lots of media attention. That made things tough on moderates in purple and red districts.
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April 30, 2021
3:32 PM ET
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Democrat Illinois Rep. Cheri Bustos announced Friday that she will not seek re-election in 2022 and will retire from Congress.
“As I have rounded each new decade of my career, I’ve taken time to reflect on how I can best serve. That’s how, 10 years ago, I decided to run for Congress,” Bustos said in a video. “And it’s why today, I’m announcing I will not seek reelection after completing this term. It will be a new decade, and I feel it’s time for a new voice.”
Bustos previously served as the chairwoman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) and has served in Congress for five terms.
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Rep. Cheri Bustos of Illinois, who headed the House Democrats campaign arm in 2020 when the party unexpectedly lost seats, will retire from the House after the 2022 elections.
“Today, I’m announcing I will not seek reelection after completing this term,” Bustos said in a video statement. “It will be a new decade, and I feel it’s time for a new voice.”
Bustos was first elected to the House in 2012, after a career as a reporter and then in the healthcare sector. She got to the House by beating the late GOP Rep. Bobby Schilling in a northwest Illinois district.
ED TIBBETTS
U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill., wonât run for re-election next year. The five-term congresswoman is making a public announcement today that she will end her run in the House after her term ends.
Bustos said her decision came after a periodic assessment of her career, something she says sheâs done every 10 years. The Moline Democrat said her health is good and that she has no future job lined up, other than to continue representing the 17th District.
âI have no plans over these next 20 months to do anything but great work for this congressional district,â Bustos said in a telephone interview. âIâll be able to figure this out. I always have big dreams and big hopes, and so Iâm confident that whatever the next chapter is, it will be something where Iâll be in a position to help make a difference.