Lone Oregon GOP congressman to retire; seat up for grabs

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Rep. Greg Walden, the lone Republican in Oregon's congressional delegation, won't seek reelection to a 12th term, throwing a huge district covering a conservative part of the state up for grabs.

With less than seven months to go before the 2020 primaries, Walden's videotaped announcement on Monday sets up further changes in the U.S. House of Representatives, which Democrats regained control of in the 2018 midterm elections.

Walden is the 19th House Republican to announce he or she will not seek re-election. Three other GOP lawmakers have resigned.

Walden is a former chairman of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee and now serves as the top Republican on the energy panel. He was a key player in GOP efforts to replace President Barack Obama's health care law but was considered a moderate by many.

The resignation also injected drama into Oregon politics, with the race for secretary of state having been considered the most compelling. One of the Democratic candidates for secretary of state, Jamie McLeod-Skinner, had run against Walden in 2018.

She was considering her options in light of Walden's announcement. It was unclear who would run on the GOP side for Walden's seat. The announcement took many Republicans in the state by surprise.

Walden said he is confident he could have won the next election based on recent polling and strong fundraising. But he said he will instead pursue new challenges and opportunities.

Walden, 62, did not specify what he wants to do next, but it won't be running for a different political office.

"I will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives, nor election to any other office, but instead I will close the public service chapter of my life, thankful for the friends I've made and the successful...