DCCC Statement on Congressman Frelinghuysen’s Retirement from NJ-11

Upon the news that vulnerable Representative Frelinghuysen (NJ-11) – who has been on the DCCC retirement watch list since May 2017 – will not seek re-election, DCCC spokesperson Evan Lukaske released the following statement:

“After ducking his constituents for months, Representative Frelinghuysen has now denied them the chance to throw him out. His retirement comes as no surprise given his community’s disgust with this Republican Congress, which spent nearly all of last year throwing our healthcare system into chaos and ended it by increasing taxes on thousands of hardworking New Jersey families. Coupled with Congressman LoBiondo’s retirement, it’s clear the Republican brand has become toxic in New Jersey.

“Representative Frelinghuysen’s retirement opens up a very competitive seat that is moving quickly towards Democrats. With veteran and former federal prosecutor Mikie Sherrill’s strong candidacy, and the abysmal approval ratings of Speaker Ryan’s Republican Congress, Democrats are confident that this seat will turn blue next November.”