New York Rep. Peter King Becomes 20th House Republican To Announce Retirement Plans

Long Island’s Peter King has become the 20th House Republican to announce that he will not seek reelection in 2020.

King, a former chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, made the announce in a post on his Facebook page. In his post, the 14-term Congressman said he’s tired of spending 4 days a week in Washington, and would like to spend more time at home in Seaford.

“This was not an easy decision,” King added. “But there is a season for everything and Rosemary and I decided that, especially since we are both in good health, it is time to have the flexibility to spend more time with our children and grandchildren,” he added. He added that his daughter’s recent move to North Carolina “certainly accelerated my thinking.”

King, who represents New York’s 2nd district, serves on the House Homeland Security and Financial Services committees and was chairman of Homeland Security in 2005-2006 and again in 2011-2012. His district encompasses a swath of southern Long Island.

The wave of retirements is creating serious problems for GOP leaders, and suggests that the Republican leadership sees little hope of winning back the House in 2020.

According to the Hill, while most of the retirements involve candidates in ‘safe’ Republican districts, a handful, including King, occupy seats that are considered competitive. King’s retirement isn’t exactly a surprise: His name was put on a Democratic watchlist of potential retirements earlier this year.