Alabama Rep. Martha Roby Not Running in 2020; 3rd GOP Retirement This Week

July 26, 2019

For the third consecutive day, a GOP member of the U.S. House has announced they will not seek reelection in 2020. Today's decision by Alabama Rep. Martha Roby follows those by Rep. Pete Olson (TX-22) and Rep. Paul Mitchell (MI-10).  Roby is also the 2nd - of 13 total - Republican woman in the House to retire this cycle. Susan Brooks (IN-5) made her announcement in June.

Roby represents Alabama's 2nd congressional district which covers much of the Montgomery area and the southeastern portion of the state. She won a 5th term in 2018 by 23%, improving on a narrow 8% win in 2016. In October of that year, she withdrew her endorsement for Donald Trump after publication of the Access Hollywood video.  That didn't play so well in her district, which the president won by 32% over Hillary Clinton.  Roby became more supportive after the election, and gained Trump's endorsement for her 2018 reelection campaign.

Despite a departing incumbent, the seat is still considered safe for the GOP in 2020.

INBOX: Martha Roby announces she will not seek sixth congressional term. pic.twitter.com/2TvBW9JYU9

— Alabama Politics (@AlabamaPolitics) July 26, 2019