The House Republican who voted to impeach Trump will not run again

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One of 10 House Republicans who voted to oust former President Donald Trump for his role in inciting the insurrection on Jan. 6 at the Capitol announced Thursday night that he would not seek re-election in Ohio next year.

The US Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, a former NFL player with a formerly bright political future, cited his two young children for his decision and noted the turbulent political environment currently plaguing our country. He was the first Latino to represent Ohio in Congress.

While my desire to build a fuller family life was at the heart of my decision, it is also true that the current state of our politics, especially the many toxic dynamics within our own party, is a significant factor in my decisions, Gonzalez said in his statement.

Gonzalez, 36, would have faced Max Miller in the 2022. Trump had endorsed Miller, his former White House and campaign aide, as part of his bid to punish those who voted for his impeachment or blocked his efforts to overthrow the election results. Trump rallied for Miller this summer.

Gonzalez represents the northeast of the Ohios 16th Congressional District, in the northeastern part of the state.

The Ohio Republican Party reprimanded Gonzalez in May for voting in February to oust Trump. Gonzalez stood by his impeachment vote in the face of fierce pushback from his conservative wing parties.

It remains unclear whether any of the other House Republicans who joined Gonzalez in voting for impeachment will follow in his footsteps.

In an interview with the New York Times announcing his decision, Gonzalez called Trump a cancer for the country that represents a threat to democracy and said January 6 had been a moment for him.

While he said there seemed to be a moment back then when the party could break up with the former president, he was disappointed in its decision to instead embrace Trump.

This is the direction that will go over the next two years and potentially four, and it will make Trump the center of efforts to raise funds and reach out politically, Gonzalez told the newspaper. That is not something I will be a part of.

He said he plans to spend his time working to prevent Trump’s election to the White House again.

Most of my political energy will be spent working toward that exact goal, he said.

Trump campaign aides and Millers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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