Florida Democratic Congressman Ted Deutch on Monday announced he will be stepping down from Congress in the fall, becoming the 31st Congressional Democrat to do so ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.
CBS 4 Miami investigative reporter Jim DeFede broke the news early Monday afternoon. Deutch, who was first elected in a 2010 special election, said he would retire from Congress in order to serve on the board of the American Jewish Committee.
“@RepTedDeutch is expected to join the American Jewish Committee,” DeFede tweeted. “The @AJCGlobal describes itself as ‘the leading global Jewish advocacy organization’ with offices across the US and around the world. A staunch supporter of Israel, the group also combats the rise of antisemitism.”
According to DeFede, Deutch was first elected to Congress in April 2010 after then-Representative Robert Wexler retired to take a position with the Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace. Notably, he sponsored legislation that would have banned “assault weapons” in the wake of a mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, which is part of his district.
One correction. Deutch was actually sworn in in April 2010 after a special election was held to replace Robert Wexler, who stepped down to take a job with the Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace. @cbsmiami
— Jim DeFede (@DeFede) February 28, 2022
Deutch issued a statement shortly afterward making the announcement official.
“After serving the public for more than 15 years, I have decided I will not seek re-election this November. Public service was instilled in me by my father who earned a Purple Heart in the Battle of the Bulge, and it has been a tremendous privilege to serve the people of Palm Beach and Broward Counties in Congress since 2010. I am incredibly grateful to my constituents for their support and friendship,” Deutch said.
“I have been forever changed by serving the people of Broward and Palm Beach Counties in Congress,” he continued. “Since 2013, my colleagues have selected me to lead our critical foreign policy work in the Middle East … For me, this foreign policy work has been a natural continuation of my deep ties to the American Jewish community and my long-standing advocacy on behalf of the U.S.-Israel relationship. Beyond foreign policy, we have also seen an unprecedented rise in antisemitism in our own country and abroad, and I have been at the forefront of the Congressional response as the founding co-chair of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism. This critical work, and the opportunity to do it on a global scale, is why I am announcing that I will not be running for re-election to Congress as I have accepted an offer to serve as the next Chief Executive Officer of the American Jewish Committee.”
“I will be forever grateful for the opportunity you have given me to serve our community and to serve our country. I have been touched and inspired by so many people I have been privileged to meet. I have seen the good that can be accomplished when we work together, and I am forever hopeful about our future. Serving as your representative has been the greatest honor of my life,” Deutch added. “I look forward to continuing to fulfill my obligations in Washington until Congress recesses for the next election, and I look forward to seeing you soon, whether in South Florida or Washington.”
The race for Deutch’s seat is not expected to be competitive, since it encompasses the traditional Democratic strongholds of Broward and Palm Beach Counties.