Ohio Republican to retire from House to lead Youngstown State

An Ohio Republican announced his retirement Tuesday from the House to lead Youngstown State University.

“After much thought and prayerful deliberation, I have accepted the offer to lead Youngstown State University and will not be seeking an 8th term in Congress,” Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio) said Tuesday on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. 

“As I’ve stated previously, I wasn’t looking for another job, because I love the one I have serving the people of Eastern Ohio in the U.S. House,” Johnson continued. “This was an extremely difficult decision.”

Johnson, 69, was elected to Ohio’s 6th Congressional District in 2010. A former businessman who worked in information technology and electronics, Johnson is also an Air Force veteran.

Johnson currently sits on the House committees on Energy and Commerce and the Budget. He also sits on three Energy and Commerce subcommittees.

“This is not a goodbye, however. I will continue serving in the House for several more months, and you will see no let up,” Johnson continued in his X post. “My offices are open and my staff remains ready to serve you.”

Johnson was the second House member to announce their retirement Tuesday, after Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) announced hers.

“I’m choosing this beautiful season of Thanksgiving to announce that I will not seek reelection, and I do so with a heart filled with unending gratitude to you, my magnificent constituents,” Eshoo, 80, said in a video posted to social media.