Ex-Dem Lawmaker Drops Re-Election Bid Over Brain Injury

Former Rep. Harley Rouda (D-CA) announced on Tuesday he is ending his bid to get back into Congress because of a brain injury.

In a statement posted to Twitter, Rouda explained the whirlwind series of events that led to his decision not to seek the seat held by Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA), who is running for U.S. Senate in 2024.

Rouda said he had an “unfortunate fall” late last month, after which he was taken to a hospital where tests revealed he suffered a moderate traumatic brain injury with two intra parenchymal hemorrhages.

Today, I’m unfortunately ending my campaign for Congress in CA-47. Please read my full statement below. pic.twitter.com/AGzCAkZkLo

— Harley Rouda (@HarleyRouda) April 11, 2023

“Thankfully, my doctors say that I have started on a path to a full recovery. I want to thank the incredible nurses, doctors, and medical staff who made this possible, and whose professionalism and care was a comfort during this trying time,” Rouda said.

“But on their advice, I am ending my campaign for California’s 47th congressional district today,” he added. “This is not the outcome I wanted. But my family comes first, and to be there for them, I need to focus fully on my recovery in the months ahead.”

Rouda was first elected to represent California’s 48 Congressional District in 2018, defeating longtime GOP Congressman Dana Rohrabacher. Two years later, Rouda lost his re-election bid in 2020 to Republican candidate Michelle Steel.

Afterward, redistricting shook up California’s map, and Rouda suspended his 2022 campaign when he was lined up to face Porter in the 47th district. After Porter announced in January a campaign to succeed Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Rouda followed suit by declaring his candidacy for Porter’s seat in Orange County.

Although Rouda is no longer running, he said in his statement that he would continue to “do as much as I can as a private citizen.” He also stressed the importance of moderates in office, saying, “I believe we need to elect people who don’t care for antics, props, and sound bites, but care about serving the greater good.”

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A number of other candidates are competing for Porter’s seat in the 2024 race. Among them are state Sen. Dave Min, a Democrat who has Porter’s endorsement, and former state Assembly member Scott Baugh, a Republican.