'Powerful' GOP Rep. Peter King Won't Run in 2020

The number of Republican congressmen who have decided not to seek re-election now stands at 22, and the newest name on the list is drawing some surprise. New York Rep. Peter King on Monday announced he won't be vying for a 15th term in 2020. Fox News reports the "powerful" former chair of the Homeland Security Committee said in a statement that his "prime reason" for hanging up his hat is that "after 28 years of spending 4 days a week in Washington, DC, it is time to end the weekly commute and be home in Seaford."

The 75-year-old added: "This was not an easy decision. But there is a season for everything and Rosemary and I decided that, especially since we are both in good health, it is time to have the flexibility to spend more time with our children and grandchildren. My daughter’s recent move to North Carolina certainly accelerated my thinking." He adds that he'll use the time remaining in his term to "vote against President Trump's impeachment and ... support the President's bid for re-election." You can read his statement in full here. (More Peter King stories.)