Three vulnerable Democrats announced they would not be seeking reelection to the House of Representatives within 24 hours of each other, bringing the total of House Democrats not seeking reelection to 23.
Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ), Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), and Chairwoman of the House Appropriations subcommittee overseeing immigration issues, Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), announced they would not run for reelection within 24 hours of each other.
Sires became the twenty-first Democrat to bow out when he confirmed to the New Jersey Globe he would not seek reelection. He is expected to make an official announcement before the end of the year. While Sires is in a solidly blue district, the announcement came as the state’s Legislative Redistricting Commission has been considering new maps to approve. However, his open seat would reportedly not affect the outcome.
Monday on FNC’s “Fox News Primetime,” host Brian Kilmeade asked House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) to speculate about the possibility of Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WN) swapping parties with the help of former President Donald Trump.
McCarthy recollected working with Manchin in the past, but he referred to one member of his caucus, Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ), leaving the Democratic Party for the GOP. McCarthy also speculated there were more potential defectors as well.