Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, announced Monday he won’t seek re-election, boosting the chances for another Democratic pick-up opportunity ahead of the 2018 midterms.
Mr. Frelinhuysen said that he has always tried to work in a bipartisan manner and that his father, who served in the House for two decades, reminded him often that “we are temporary stewards of the public trust.”
“I have sincerely endeavored to earn that trust every day, and I thank my constituents and my home state of New Jersey for the honor to serve, and I will continue to do so to the best of my abilities through the end of my term,” the New Jersey Republican said in a statement.
Mr. Frelinghuysen, first elected in 1994, said his “deepest devotion” during his time in Congress has been to supporting the Armed Forces, and touted his support in securing key federal investments for his home state.
Despite his powerful post, he bucked GOP leadership and voted against the Republican tax-cut package last year, joining other blue-state Republicans’ concerns about the elimination of the state and local tax deduction.
He joins a handful of House Republican committee chairmen — many of whom will be term-limited out of those posts — who are not seeking re-election this year.
Mr. Frelinghuysen has routinely cruised to re-election, but President Trump very narrowly carried the district last year and Democrats have been eyeing it as a potential pick-up opportunity.
Rep. Steve Stivers, Ohio Republican and chairman of the House GOP’s campaign arm, said Monday Republicans plan to hold the seat in November.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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