FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch will not seek re-election in November as he takes a new job as Chief Executive Officer of the American Jewish Committee, the Democratic congressman announced Monday.
Deutch, 55, represents Florida’s 22nd District, which covers parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties, including the east coast from Fort Lauderdale up to Boca Raton.
He becomes the 31st House Democrat to announce plans to leave the chamber as this year’s midterms draw closer.
“It’s a bittersweet day,” Deutsch said in an interview with Local 10 News. “I’m proud of the work that I’ve done, but it’s time to take advantage of this unique opportunity. To have this chance to do this full-time on a global platform with offices around the world, that was the draw.”
Deutch is finishing his seventh term in Congress. He is chair of the House Committee on Ethics, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Global Counterterrorism, and senior member of the House Judiciary Committee.
Deutch, whose district also covers parts of western Broward including Parkland, has been vocal for gun control and school safety since the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
“Following the mass shooting in his district at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018, Congressman Deutch was an exemplary model of what it means to be a public servant,” Florida Democratic Party Executive Director Marcus L. Dixon said in a statement. “His dedication to the community he serves, compassion for the parents and students affected by the tragedy, and tenacious desire to keep our schools and communities safe led him to champion critical legislation to end gun violence and elevate the powerful voices of student leaders who have made a difference at the national level.”
The American Jewish Committee, which bills itself as “the leading global Jewish advocacy organization,” said Deutch will begin his work as CEO on Oct. 1.
“Ted’s deep and lifelong commitment to the Jewish community, Israel, and to the protection of democratic values is obvious to all who know him,” AJC President Harriet P. Schleifer said in a news release. “His shared passion for AJC’s mission and vision makes him a natural fit to advance our critical global work and to build on David Harris’s extraordinary legacy.”
Harris, who has led the AJC since 1990, is expected to remain CEO until Deutch takes over.
Republicans are making a strong push to retake control of the House of Representatives in this year’s midterms. So far, just 13 Republicans have said they’re not seeking reelection to the House.
The 31 Democratic House retirees represent the most since the 1992 elections when 41 stepped away.
“I’m not running away from Congress,” he said. “I’m running to an opportunity to do something really significant in a different type of service, and that’s what I’m looking forward to.”
Deutch expanded on his feelings in making the decision in a long statement on his website, saying in part: “I will be forever grateful for the opportunity you have given me to serve our community and to serve our country. I have been touched and inspired by so many people I have been privileged to meet. I have seen the good that can be accomplished when we work together, and I am forever hopeful about our future. Serving as your representative has been the greatest honor of my life.”
He concluded, saying: “I look forward to continuing to fulfill my obligations in Washington until Congress recesses for the next election, and I look forward to seeing you soon, whether in South Florida or Washington.”