California Democratic Rep. Jackie Speier Won't Seek Reelection in 2022
By 270toWin Staff
November 16, 2021, 10:34 AM ET
Democratic Rep. Jackie Speier (CA-14) won't seek a ninth term in 2022, she announced Tuesday. She becomes the 14th current House Democrat to announce they are retiring or seeking another office. Ten Republicans have made that decision, as well.
— Jackie Speier (@RepSpeier) November 16, 2021
The Bay Area 14th district is safely Democratic; Speier won a final term in 2020 by nearly 60 points. While the boundaries of the district will likely change a bit after redistricting, there is very little chance of it becoming a competitive seat next year.
Speier had a long career in politics before being elected to Congress in 2008. It was born out of tragedy. In 1978, she was an aide to Rep. Leo Ryan (D), and was among those who accompanied him on a fact-finding mission to Jonestown in Guyana, where the San Francisco-based People's Temple had established a settlement. Ryan was assassinated on that trip, and Speier survived five gunshot wounds. Days later, over 900 members of the cult perished in a mass murder/suicide.
Speier unsuccessfully ran for Ryan's seat in 1979. She won her first election, to the California State Assembly, in 1986.
On Second Thought...
Separately, despite saying in 2019 that she would only serve one more term, Texas Democratic Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson may be planning to run again after all. She has scheduled a press conference for this Saturday. Notably, the phrase "RE-ELECT Johnson" is included in the announcement. The 85-year old represents the safely Democratic Dallas-area 30th district.
New: @RepEBJ, who hasn’t cleared up her reelection plans yet, advises an “important special announcement” for Saturday in Dallas #TX30 pic.twitter.com/a1zIWvlzCV
— Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) November 15, 2021
