Report: GOP Fla. Rep. Neal Dunn to Retire Early

[ad_1] Rep. Neal Dunn, R-Fla., is reportedly getting ready to announce an early retirement subsequent week — a improvement that would additional complicate life for Home Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and the GOP's razor-thin majority.

Florida Politics writer Peter Schorsch reported that Dunn's departure might come earlier than the tip of his time period, doubtlessly triggering a particular election within the deep-red Florida Panhandle district.

Dunn, 72, introduced final month that he wouldn't search reelection, saying he made the choice "after a lot prayerful consideration and dialogue with my household."

A former Military surgeon, Dunn was first elected to Congress in 2016 and has since reliably held Florida's 2nd Congressional District, which has been solidly Republican because it was redrawn the 12 months he first ran.

The district overwhelmingly supported President Donald Trump in 2024, backing him over former Vice President Kamala Harris by a 59%-41% margin.

Dunn has constantly cruised to victory as effectively, profitable 67%-30% in 2016, 67.4%-32.6% in 2018, 97.86%-2.14% in opposition to a write-in candidate in 2020, 59.8%-40.2% in 2022 and 61.64%-38.36% in 2024.

Republicans maintain a 218-214 majority within the Home, with three seats vacant. That leaves Johnson with virtually no margin for error on party-line votes.

An early exit by Dunn would briefly shrink the GOP majority even additional, growing stress on Johnson to maintain each Republican in line or safe Democrat help to maneuver laws.

Schorsch first reported Tuesday that his reporters had been "attempting to trace down [a] rumor" that Dunn might be "resigning imminently slightly than at [the] finish of his time period."

Shortly afterward, a spokesperson for Dunn informed Tallahassee Democrat reporter Jim Rosica that the congressman would serve out the rest of his time period.

Nonetheless, Schorsch doubled down Wednesday, citing a "prime supply" who stated Dunn is predicted to announce subsequent week that he's retiring early and can set a "time sure" forward of the November midterm elections — paving the best way for a summer season particular election.

Schorsch reported the transfer could be "well being associated," reportedly tied to problems from COVID-19.

When pressed by reporters Wednesday afternoon, Dunn declined to straight deal with the experiences, saying he was "not making any feedback proper now."

Nicole Weatherholtz ✉ Nicole Weatherholtz, a Newsmax normal task reporter covers information, politics, and tradition. She is a Nationwide Newspaper Affiliation award-winning journalist.