Long Time Senate Democrat Announces Surprising Retirement

Another Senate Democrat has announced they will retire.

Democrat Senator Tom Carper of Delaware has announced he will retire in and not seek reelection in 2024.

Carper stated, “If there was ever an opportune time to step aside and pass the torch to the next generation, it’s coming, and it will be here on Jan. 3, 2025.”

So far Carper is the fourth Democrat senator to announce they will retire next year.

Watch: Democratic Sen. Tom Carper announces he won't be seeking re-election https://t.co/crA5ffFwsb

— John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) May 22, 2023

Longtime Democratic Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware announces he won't seek reelection in 2024, says it's an "opportune time to step aside"https://t.co/6FvQuhUfv3

— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) May 22, 2023

Here’s what the Washington Examiner reported:

Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) announced Monday that he plans to retire at the end of his fourth term, shaking up a generally Democratic stronghold state with an open U.S. Senate seat in 2024.

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The decision by Carper, a fixture of Delaware politics, will open his seat for the first time since 2001, when he was elected to the Senate after serving as a state treasurer, governor, and congressman. He has held public office in Delaware since Jimmy Carter was president. His seat is viewed by many as a safe seat for Democrats to maintain control of in the 2024 elections.

“While nothing is forever, the Delaware Democratic Party is blessed today with a bench as strong as any I’ve ever seen in the 50 years that I’ve called Delaware home,” Carper said during a speech on Monday in Wilmington. “If there was ever an opportune time to step aside and pass the torch to the next generation, it’s coming, and it will be here on Jan. 3, 2025.

“But, until then, God willing, I’ll continue working 60-hour weeks and coming home on the train most nights as long as Martha keeps leaving the light on for me.”

NEWS: U.S. Sen. Tom Carper, a patriarch of Delaware politics, will announce his retirement next year, ending a career as one of the most successful politicians in state history. 

His announcement will shake up the state, with now an open U.S. Senate available in 2024. pic.twitter.com/kmLGb09Fxr

— Meredith Newman (@MereNewman) May 22, 2023

Just the News had more to add:

Delaware Democratic Sen. Tom Carper announced Monday that he is not running for reelection in 2024.

Carper, 76, is chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee and won his first of four Senate terms in 2000.

A contentious Democratic primary is expected in the blue-leaning state with Carper’s announcement. Democratic Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester is expected to jump into the race to succeed him.