Rep. Ted Deutch of Florida announced Monday that he will not run for re-election this November, becoming the 31st House Democrat to decline to contest their seat in the midterm elections.
In a statement, Deutch said he was leaving politics to become the CEO of the American Jewish Committee and build on his work in Congress as a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
“Even as Iran continues its illicit quest for nuclear weapons and support for terror groups worldwide, we are also witnessing a new era of cooperation in the Middle East that brings transformative new opportunities,” Deutch said. “For me, this foreign policy work has been a natural continuation of my deep ties to the American Jewish community and my long-standing advocacy on behalf of the U.S.-Israel relationship.”
The AJC confirmed that Deutch would take over as CEO as of Oct. 1, replacing David Harris, who has led the organization since 1990.
“Ted’s deep and lifelong commitment to the Jewish community, Israel, and to the protection of democratic values is obvious to all who know him,” said AJC president Harriet P. Schleifer. “His shared passion for AJC’s mission and vision makes him a natural fit to advance our critical global work and to build on David Harris’s extraordinary legacy.”
Deutch has served in Congress since 2010, when he won a special election. His current district includes the cities of Boca Raton and Ft. Lauderdale as well as Parkland, where 17 students and faculty members at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School were killed in a mass shooting on Feb. 14, 2018.
Deutch won his congressional seat in 2010 in a special election. Alex Wong
In Congress, Deutch has been a staunch advocate for gun control measures, including banning assault weapons. Phil Coale
Deutch is the 31st House Democrat to decline to contest their seat in the midterm elections. Jesus ArangurenIn his retirement statement, Deutch — a staunch advocate for gun control measures, including banning assault weapons — said the survivors of the massacre “inspire me every day.”
“I have tried every day since to be there for their families and to help them honor the memories of their loved ones in all the ways they are working to make our schools and community safer,” he said. “I have also tried to support the survivors in any way I can, though it is their powerful voices that have helped create desperately needed change.”
Of the 31 House Democrats who have said they will not run for re-election this year, 23 are retiring from public service, four are running for US Senate and four are seeking other office.
By contrast, just 13 Republicans have said they will not contest their seats later this year.
