Bobby Rush becomes 24th House Democrat to announce retirement

From [HERE] Longtime Illinois Rep. Bobby Rush (D) became the 24th House Democrat to announce they wouldn’t seek reelection in November’s midterm elections this week. Rush was first elected to Congress in 1992, and prior to becoming a congressman, founded the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party. 

In his 30-year congressional career, Rush raised modest campaign fundraising totals — likely due to lack of need for major funds in order to get reelected. His district — Illinois’ 1st Congressional District— is based in Cook County and encompasses most of the south side of Chicago. President Joe Bidenwon Cook County with more than 74% of the vote in 2020. And 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton carried the county with the same percentage. Rush won his 2020 reelection with more than 73% of the vote. 

Between 1991 and Sept. 2021, Rush has raised nearly $6.5 million. He has spent just $6.2 million over his congressional career. The Illinois congressman raised his highest election cycle totals in the 2000 election when he brought in about $804,000. In 2020, Rush raised about $541,000. The average House member raised more than triple that amount in 2020 with $2.6 million. 

Throughout his time in Congress, Rush received the most financial support from the electric utilities industry with nearly $520,000. That support was closely followed by the health professionals industry, which contributed more than $423,000 in the 30 years Rush held office. Unsurprisingly, most of Rush’s contributors came from the Chicago-area. Between 1991 and Sept. 30, 2021, Chicago-based contributors gave Rush more than $1.1 million.

While Rush is now among a wave of Democrats who are leaving Congress ahead of a potentially devastating midterm election for House Democrats, Rush told POLITICO he didn’t look at his decision as a retirement.

“I’m not retiring man, alright?” Rush told POLITICO. “I am not ready to go off to some spot in the sun, sit on nobody’s beach drinking tequila.” 

He told the outlet he plans to continue his work as a pastor in Chicago and enter “a new level” of life. [MORE]