U.S. Rep. Rush Will 'Answer Higher Calling', Won't Seek 16th Term

CHICAGO — Saying he has a higher calling that he feels compelled to answer, U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush announced on Tuesday that he will not seek a 16th term in Congress.

Rush, the Democrat who served Chicago’s South Side and south suburbs in Washington since 1993, made the announcement at Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ, which was the site of Emmett Till’s funeral in 1955. Published reports broke Monday night that the long-time politician would not be seeking to return to Washington once his current term comes too an end.

Rush said that his decision does not come out of fear of what could have happened in the upcoming mid-term elections. At 75, Rush said that he is not retiring but is returning to the ministry he started as a minister years ago but said is committed to a life in the public eye.

“I will remain on the frontlines of the battlefield,” Rush said at the news conference.

He added: "You can own your public service, but you can never own public office. For me, I have a higher calling and I am answering that higher calling.”

Published reports on Monday indicated that Rush has been dealing with health issues that may have played a role in his decision to not seek re-election to Congress. Rush tested positive for the coronavirus in late December despite being fully vaccinated. Rush’s office announced Monday that while remaining asymptomatic, Rush tested negative for COVID-19 on Monday.

Rush previously was diagnosed with salivary gland cancer in 2008 and has dealt with various health issues over the years.

In his formal announcement, Rush said that he will continue to serve the community as he continues his lifelong work for justice and equality outside the halls of Congress as a preacher, an activist, and a community organizer, he said in a news release.

"I’m returning home, returning to my church, returning to my family and grandchildren — but my calling to a life of service is stronger than ever," Rush said. "I am expanding my tent beyond the guardrails of Congress, and I can see clearly that the next step for my continued service stems from my transformational embrace by the Holy Spirit. I’m returning to my passion — that is, to share the special power of love that transforms hearts and minds.”

Rush, who was first elected to the Chicago City Council in 1983, remained on the council for a decade before he made an unsuccessful run at Mayor. In 2000, he withstood a challenge of then Illinois State Sen. Barack Obama and held onto his seat in Congress by claiming 60 percent of the vote.

He currently serves as the Chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy — a post he has held since 2019. Rush is the co-founder of the Chicago Black Panthers and was a civil rights leader before turning to politics.

"I am proud of my legacy in Congress," Rush said in news release. "I come from the Black experience, but I have a deep-seated love for all of humanity. As a former leader of the Black Panther Party, I was involved in the organizing of the original Rainbow Coalition. I have a long history of organizing on behalf of and serving people in need, regardless of race or other affiliations. I am eager to continue working tirelessly for justice and equality over my next 12 months in Congress and beyond.”