House Budget Chair John Yarmuth Announces Retirement

Representative John Yarmuth, a Louisville Democrat who has served in Congress since 2007, said Tuesday he won’t seek reelection next year.

Yarmuth, who represents Kentucky’s 3rd District and is the only Democrat in the state’s federal delegation, currently is the chair of the powerful House Budget Committee.

In a video posted online, Yarmuth said he is “extremely proud of the work I have done for our citizens. The truth be told, I never expected to be in Congress this long.”

Yarmuth said he is in “excellent health” but noted that he will be 75 when his current term ends and wants to spend more of his time with his family in Louisville, including his young grandson.

“While I’ve just become a lame duck, I intend to spend the next 15 months working hard to build on my proudest moment, the passage of the American Rescue Plan, which I authored and managed through the Congress,” Yarmuth said. “We can still do much more for the American people.

“And since that progress will unfortunately not be done on a bipartisan basis, my chairmanship of the House Budget Committee puts me in a pivotal position to help build an even better future for our citizens.”

Within minutes of Yarmuth’s announcement, Kentucky Senate Minority Floor Leader Morgan McGarvey, D-Louisville, said he would run for Yarmuth’s office, joining state Rep. Attica Scott, a Louisville Democrat who has previously declared her candidacy.

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Louisville, applauded Yarmuth for his years of public service and wished him well on his retirement.

“We always shared a deep affinity for our hometown, Louisville, and a strong sense of loyalty to our constituents and neighbors,” McConnell said in a statement. “I wish John the best as he takes a step back to spend more time with his family.”

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