Powerful Va. Republican Goodlatte Suddenly Announces Retirement

Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), arguably Virginia's most powerful Republican, will not seek reelection after 2018 -- yet another Republican retiring in the midst of backlash against President Trump.

Goodlatte is a 13-term incumbent who represents Virginia's 6th district, which has long been a safe district for Republicans. He said that since his time as chairman of the Judiciary Committee will expire in December 2018, it is a "natural stepping-off point," according to a statement as reported by Politico.

A wave of Republicans have declined to seek reelection next year as momentum builds for the Democrats and enthusiasm wanes for Trump. Three Texas congressmen -- Jeb Hensarling, Ted Poe, and Lamar Smith -- all announced last week they would retire. And two Republican Senators -- Arizona's Jeff Flake and Tennessee's Bob Corker -- said they would not seek reelection in 2018 after getting into high-profile tiffs with Trump.

In addition to Trump woes, Goodlatte also makes his decision in the wake of the GOP's stunning defeat in his state, as Republican Ed Gillespie was crushed by Democrat Ralph Northam in the gubernatorial race while the House of Delegates -- held by Republicans 66-34 -- swung dramatically toward the Democrats in a huge upset. However, Goodlatte didn't mention either complication as being a factor in his decision.

In fact, as recently as July, there were rumors that Goodlatte would retire -- rumors his staff vigorously denied, according to a Daily Progress report.

If Democrats could pick up his seat in 2018, that would be quite the coup: his district voted for Trump by a 24-point margin.

Image via Bob Goodlatte's official website