Wexton to not seek reelection
Bell resigned from the House to join the OAG
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The rundown
Rep. Wexton says she will not run for reelection after receiving a new medical diagnosis.
Rob Bell resigned from the House is will be joining the OAG.
Derrick Anderson officially launched his congressional campaign.
Wexton receives new diagnosis and will not run for reelection
Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA10) announced Monday that she is suffering from a more disease than originally thought and she will not be running for reelection next year. She was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy this summer — a disease that looks very similar to Parkinson’s in the beginning stages.
After announcing she had Parkinson’s in April, she says now that she was not progressing with treatments like other individuals causing her to seek a second and third opinion leading to this new diagnosis.
The well-wishes started pouring in from Democrats across the Commonwealth Monday morning.
My friend [Rep. Wexton] has served the people of Northern Virginia for more than two decades,” Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA07) said. “She is a true public servant. I’m in awe of her bravery, her determination, and her family’s courage.”
Wexton and Spanberger were both elected to the House together in 2018. They were part of the “blue wave” that led to three Republican seats from Virginia flipping to Democrats as a response to Donald Trump’s election victory.
“Entering Congress as a part of the 2018 Blue Wave, Congresswoman Wexton’s career as a public servant has always been guided by a steadfast commitment to her constituents – not only on the floor of the U.S. House, but as Loudoun County’s Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney and as a State Senator,” said Susan Swecker, the chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Virginia. “Congresswoman Wexton’s courage, strength, and honesty in the face of her diagnosis underpin the long list of virtues she has carried with her to Capitol Hill. As she prepares to enter her final year in the U.S. Congress, she has the appreciation of a grateful commonwealth.”
Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA08) commented on the news from Wexton. “Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton is a kind and generous person, a devoted advocate for her constituents, and a fighter for the underprivileged across the country and around the world. I am proud to know her and serve with her, and to call her a friend,” he said. “When Jennifer joined the House five years ago her future seemed limitless. Now she has been robbed of much of that future with medical news that is tragic and deeply unfair. As Jennifer continues to serve her constituents, she will have my friendship and support, along with that of so many others.
The Washington Post published a story with interviews from Wexton, Kaine, McClellan, and Spanberger.
