Longtime Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL) is not seeking reelection in 2024, becoming the latest House Republican to announce retirement after this Congress.
Posey announced his retirement on Facebook on Friday, citing “circumstances beyond my control” as his reason for suspending his reelection campaign to the Cape Canaveral area district.
“It has been the greatest honor of Katie’s and my life to represent you in Congress,” Posey wrote. “And, polls suggest that because of YOUR support, I could remain in the job forever, and we were looking forward to another spirited campaign for a final term in office. However, earlier this week circumstances beyond my control now require me to suspend my re-election campaign.”
He endorsed Mike Haridopolos, his congressional Finance Committee chairman, who he mentored and said remains his “first choice to represent you, me, and our district in congress.”
While Posey’s 8th Congressional District in Florida isn’t considered a pick-up opportunity for Democrats given its conservative history, Posey’s announcement does add to the rapid turnover under Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and his narrow House GOP majority.
“I will continue to devote all possible resources to continue representing you through the end of my current term, helping President Donald Trump return to the oval office, and supporting former Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos, in whom I have the greatest trust and confidence, to take up my battles against the swamp and replace me as your Congressman,” Posey said.
“Without going into a lot of personal details, stars aligned during the past week and Mike decided he was ready for Congress,” Posey added. “I enthusiastically endorse him and will do everything I can to help him get elected.”
Posey, who serves on the House Financial Services Committee and Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, was known for questioning former President Barack Obama’s birthplace and therefore eligibility to serve as commander in chief. Posey authored the “Presidential Eligibility Act” in 2009 that would have required presidential candidates to show birth certificates before being allowed on the ballot.
On policy, Posey portrayed himself as a fiscal conservative but tried to steer federal money to NASA facilities along the central Florida coast, particularly after the Space Shuttle program ended in 2011.
Posey’s announcement comes after former Republican Reps. Ken Buck and Mike Gallagher retired early, setting up a special election in Colorado and a vacancy in Wisconsin until January. The Florida congressman is the 23rd House Republican to announce his retirement, with the most recent being Rep. Jake LaTurner (R-KS).
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With the recent vacancies and the death of Rep. Donald Payne Jr., Johnson holds a 217-212 majority, meaning he can afford to lose only two votes on any given measure along party lines.
On Tuesday, New York’s 26th Congressional District will hold a special election to replace former Democratic Rep. Brian Higgins. Given the seat is D+10, Democratic state Sen. Tim Kennedy is likely to replace Higgins and give Johnson a one-seat majority.
