Rep. Mark Green, a Republican from Tennessee, announced Monday that he plans to resign from Congress after four terms, opting to accept a private-sector job offer. His retirement is scheduled to take effect following the House’s vote on the GOP’s domestic-policy megabill, currently under consideration in the Senate. Green, who previously stepped out of the race but returned, cited his role in leading the effort to impeach former Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and passing the Secure the Border Act as reasons for his decision to leave public service.
Green’s decision comes amid personal challenges, including his wife’s public allegations of an extramarital affair, which were corroborated by POLITICO. The revelation, which occurred shortly before the election, adds another layer to his departure from Congress. Green did not disclose the identity of his future employer, though House rules require members to disclose negotiations with a future private employer to the Ethics Committee and recuse themselves from matters where their future employment would pose a conflict of interest. A spokesperson for the Ethics Committee declined to comment on whether Green had disclosed any job talks in advance.
The retirement leaves a vacancy that will require a special election, with Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee tasked to call a special election within 0 days after the vacancy is official, followed by a general election between 100 and 107 days after that. The seat is considered safely Republican, with Donald Trump having won the district by 22 points last year. Green’s decision to step down could have implications for the GOP’s control in the House, particularly as the megabill remains a key legislative focus for the party.