Green Bay, Wisconsin – Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher has decided not to seek re-election this year after making headlines with his vote against the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Gallagher, who has represented Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District since 2017, announced his decision on Saturday, stating that he believes in the founders’ intention for citizens to serve in Congress for a season and then return to their private lives. He also expressed that electoral politics was never meant to be a long-term career.

The congressman, who chairs the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, expressed that his future work will be aligned with his national security goals and focus on defense policy. Gallagher’s retirement from the House has drawn attention as he joins more than a dozen House Republicans who have also decided not to seek re-election in 2024.

Gallagher’s announcement comes after his vote against the impeachment of Mayorkas, in which he was one of three House Republicans who opposed the move. He argued that impeaching Mayorkas would “open Pandora’s box,” and expressed skepticism about the impeachment ahead of the failed vote.

This news has political implications as other key Republican figures have also announced decisions regarding re-election. The announcement is significant as it adds to the growing list of House Republicans who have opted not to run in 2024.

Republican political consultant Alex Bruesewitz has mentioned considering a primary challenge to Gallagher, citing that the congressman was once considered a rising star in the GOP but decided to betray the grassroots and protect the swamp. In addition, potential candidates such as businessmen Eric Hovde and Scott Mayer have been floated as challengers, but have not yet declared their intentions to run.

Wisconsin’s political landscape is expected to remain dynamic, with the brewing possibility of significant pickups for Republicans in the upcoming election cycle. However, the battle to defeat Sen. Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat seeking a third term, is forecasted to be challenging, according to the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.