Florida Republican Rep. Bill Posey announced Friday that he will not seek re-election.
In a statement, Posey, who was first elected to Congress in 2008, said, “It has been the greatest honor of my and Katie’s lives to represent you in Congress. And polls suggest that because of your support, I could stay on forever and we were looking forward to another spirited campaign for a final term.”
He added: “However, earlier this week, circumstances beyond my control now require me to suspend my re-election campaign.” The statement did not detail what these circumstances are.
The announcement came shortly after the deadline for candidates seeking to replace Posey in the district, which is east of Orlando.
The Republican primary will now feature former Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos, who entered the race Friday, Joe Babits of Vero Beach and John Hearton of Satellite Beach.
At the statement announcing his upcoming retirementPosey endorsed Haridopolos, saying, “Mike’s conservative values and work ethic are superior, and unlike others who ran against me, Mike never lied to me or tried to undermine efforts to represent our district.”
Posey added, “Mike knows our district and has remained involved at the local, state and federal levels. He is clearly the type of representative we need in Congress and I have no doubt he will excel in the role.”
On a Post on FacebookHaridopolos thanked Posey and supporters of his new campaign, saying he would “do my best to take his GREAT place.”
Posey is now the 23rd GOP member of Congress to announce he will leave the House at the end of his term, according to to the House Press Gallery. This number does not include parliamentarians who left the Chamber mid-term.
Twenty-five Democrats have also announced they will not seek re-election.
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