Rep. Neal Dunn of Florida announced on Tuesday that he will retire from Congress, making him the latest House Republican to step down ahead of what party leaders anticipate will be a difficult midterm election cycle for the party in power.
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In a social media post, the five-term lawmaker said he was proud of his work advocating for lower taxes, support for the military and veterans, protection of the unborn, healthcare innovation, and policies aimed at reducing bureaucracy while confronting threats from China, Russia, and other adversaries.
Dunn explained that his decision was driven by personal reasons, writing that it was time to “pass the torch to new conservative leaders,” return home to Panama City, and spend more time with his family and grandchildren.
He currently represents Florida’s 2nd Congressional District in the Panhandle, a seat that has long been considered safely Republican.
Dunn’s departure adds to a growing wave of Republican retirements and career shifts in the House. Several Texas Republicans have announced plans to retire, while others from states including Kentucky, Wyoming, Florida, and Iowa are leaving their seats to pursue Senate races or statewide offices.
During his time in Congress, Dunn has served as vice chair of the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee and as a member of both the House Artificial Intelligence Task Force and the Select Committee on China. His retirement comes as Florida Republicans prepare for potential redistricting, following Gov. Ron DeSantis’s call for a special legislative session to redraw congressional maps ahead of the midterm elections.[/read]