Democratic Rep Ruppersberger resigning from House at end of year

Another Democratic member of the House has announced plans to retire from office at the end of the year.

Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, D-Md., released a statement Friday saying he will leave office at the end of 2024.

Ruppersberger said he made the decision knowing "now more than ever, Congress needs thoughtful, end-game representatives like me — members who care more about constituents and our country and less about cable news hits."

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Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, a Democrat from Maryland, speaks during a news conference on the sidelines of the Dialogue on the Future of Atlantic Trade event at the Port of Baltimore in Baltimore on March 21, 2022. (Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

"It is time to pass the torch to a younger generation of leaders and I am looking forward to spending more time with my family," the congressman said.

He joins nearly two dozen other Democrats who have decided not to seek re-election, along with 18 Republicans.

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Ruppersberger's district is a solidly blue area and a Republican replacement would be unlikely. 

He has served Maryland's 2nd District for over two decades after first being elected in 2003.

The chamber of the House of Representatives is seen at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Almost two dozen Democratic lawmakers are leaving office in the coming year, along with 18 Republicans.  (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

However, keeping seats within the same party is only half the fight for many key districts going up for grabs in 2024.

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Party leaders have expressed concern that resignations by long-standing members of the House could leave power vacuums to be filled by more radical partisans.

Rupperberger's statement on the importance of "constituents" over "cable news hits" reflects a growing sense of disconnect between the outgoing generation of lawmakers and younger would-be elected officials.

Many outgoing members of the House have announced their intentions to pursue a higher office, such as Maryland's outgoing Republican Rep. David Trone, who plans to run for the Senate.