Rep. Mark Green, a Republican from Tennessee, has decided to retire from Congress after four terms. His departure is planned to coincide with the House’s vote on the GOP’s domestic-policy megabill. Green had previously announced his retirement but reentered the race, only to face allegations of an extramarital affair that resurfaced shortly before the election. The retirement creates a potential vacancy in the House, with a special election scheduled under Tennessee’s laws. The seat is considered safely Republican, with Donald Trump having won the district by 31 points in the last election.
Rep. Mark Green, a Republican from Tennessee, has announced his retirement from Congress after four terms. The announcement comes as he prepares to step down following the House’s vote on the GOP’s domestic-policy megabill, a significant piece of legislation aimed at enhancing border security. Green, who serves on the Homeland Security Committee, expressed gratitude for his role in leading efforts to pass the Secure the Border Act, a landmark piece of border security legislation. He emphasized his contributions to the impeachment of former Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and the advancement of H.R. 2, which he described as the strongest border security legislation in history to pass the House.
The decision to retire marks the end of Green’s congressional career, although he had previously announced his intention to step down last year. However, he re-entered the race, only to face allegations of an extramarital affair that emerged shortly before the election. These allegations, which were corroborated by POLITICO, have brought additional scrutiny to his political career. The specific details of the affair and its impact on his decision to retire remain undisclosed, though his wife’s public statements have added an element of controversy to his political trajectory.
In addition to the personal controversy, Green’s retirement could lead to a vacancy in the House. Under Tennessee law, Governor Bill Lee is required to call a special election within 10 days of the vacancy’s official announcement. The general election is scheduled to occur between 100 and 107 days after the special election. The seat is considered a safe Republican stronghold, with Donald Trump securing a 31-point margin in the district in the last election. This suggests that the replacement for Green is likely to be a Republican candidate, given the current political landscape.
Green has not disclosed the identity of his future employer, and under House rules, members are required to disclose any negotiations with a private employer to the Ethics Committee. This includes recusing themselves from matters where their potential employment could create a conflict of interest. However, a spokesperson for the Ethics Committee has declined to comment on whether Green has already disclosed any discussions related to his new role. The lack of transparency surrounding his future job adds another layer to the controversy surrounding his retirement.
The retirement of Mark Green represents a significant development in the political landscape of Tennessee and the broader House of Representatives. His tenure has been marked by his contributions to border security policy and his role in the impeachment of former Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. As he prepares to leave Congress, the focus will shift to the potential successor and the impact of his departure on the ongoing legislative agenda. The special election to fill his seat will be a crucial event in the political calendar, especially in a district that remains a Republican stronghold.