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Democrats have been dealt another blow as Rep. G.K. Butterfield of North Carolina announces his retirement.
Butterfield’s retirement comes the same week as other Democrats are dropping out.
Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Rep. Jackie Speier of California have also announced their retirements.
Butterfield, who was elected in 2004, confirmed that he will not be seeking reelection, according to reports.
The Left’s chances of keeping control of Congress after the midterm elections is dwindling.
11 Democrats have announced that they will not be seeking reelection in 2022.
9 Republicans have announced plans to retire.
Butterfield had promised to continue fighting for his seat earlier this month.
Before changing his mind, Butterfield said, “I do plan to run again. I’m going to give it verything that I have.”
A new district boundary has reportedly played a key role in his decision to step aside.
More from Fox News:
Butterfield, a longtime member and former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, will make the announcement Thursday that he will not be seeking reelection, according to reports. The veteran lawmaker was first elected to represent North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District in 2004…
Democrats have filed a lawsuit over the map, claiming that the new boundary will dilute the influence of black voters in Butterfield’s district.
Before being elected to Congress, Butterfield served as an associate justice on the North Carolina Supreme Court. In addition to being a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, the Democratic lawmaker was a fierce supporter of making healthcare more affordable and making investments in the country’s rural communities.
His retirement is another blow to Democrats as the party clings to an already thin majority ahead of next year’s midterm elections. Some analysts believe that the GOP is set to flip at least five seats due to redistricting alone, the exact number of seats the party would need to flip in order to regain the majority in the chamber.
