Wisconsin representative Mike Gallagher has announced that he will not seek re-election, following his decision to vote against impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Gallagher, one of three House Republicans who voted against the impeachment resolution last week, stated that he will retire in January 2025 after completing his fourth term.

In a heartfelt statement released on Saturday, Gallagher reflected on his accomplishments during his time in office. He highlighted his bipartisan work on the Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, as well as his role as chairman of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission and the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. Gallagher expressed gratitude to the people of Northeast Wisconsin for the honor of serving as their representative for four terms.

Explaining his decision not to seek re-election, Gallagher emphasized that the Founding Fathers intended for citizens to serve in Congress for a season and then return to their private lives. He added that electoral politics was never meant to be a career, and Congress is not a place to grow old.

Gallagher's retirement announcement came after his vote against the impeachment resolution, which was pushed by House Republican leadership. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Gallagher defended his decision, stating that impeachment would not resolve President Biden's border crisis and would set a dangerous new precedent against future Republican administrations. He placed the responsibility for the border chaos on Biden rather than Mayorkas, arguing that any replacement would likely implement the same policies.

The Wisconsin representative clarified that his retirement was not influenced by backlash from his impeachment vote. Gallagher joined Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) and Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) in voting against the articles of impeachment, which failed by a narrow margin of 214-216.

In the absence of House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), who was undergoing treatment for blood cancer, House Republicans could only afford to lose three votes to remove Mayorkas from his position. Ultimately, their calculation fell short due to unexpected appearances and opposition, including Rep. Al Green (D-Texas), who showed up in a wheelchair to vote against impeachment.

Though Gallagher's retirement may impact the impeachment push, House Republicans are expected to revisit the issue this week. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) acknowledged the setback but expressed confidence that they would pass the articles of impeachment in the next round.

Meanwhile, Mayorkas stated on MSNBC's "Meet the Press" that neither he nor President Biden should bear full responsibility for the broken immigration system, although he acknowledged the crisis at the border. Despite urging House Republicans to pass a bipartisan Senate border bill, which included additional aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, the bill was rejected in the upper chamber last Wednesday.

As Gallagher prepares to bid farewell to Congress, discussions are underway among House GOP leaders regarding his potential replacement as chairman of the bipartisan House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.) is reportedly being considered for the position if the party maintains its majority.

With Gallagher's retirement marked for January 2025, Wisconsin's northeastern district will soon see new representation. The race for the seat held by Gallagher is likely to garner significant attention as candidates step forward to vie for the opportunity to serve in Congress.

In the midst of a divided government and razor-thin margins, every vote counts, and the political landscape continues to evolve as House Republicans navigate their path forward.