Rep. Greg Walden, top Republican on powerful House Commerce Committee, says he will retire

Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), the top Republican on the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee will not seek reelection in 2020 — another sign that GOP lawmakers are pessimistic about retaking the House majority in 2020. Rep Walden served as chairman of the Commerce Committee from 2017 until Democrats reclaimed control of the House in 2019. In that position, he helped formulate the GOP’s ultimately ill-fated plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act and worked closely on bipartisan efforts to address the national opioid crisis. An owner of radio stations, he has also shepherded telecommunications legislation through the House, including a bill to stop robocalls.

A 40-year veteran of GOP politics in Oregon, Rep Walden is the only Republican representing the state in Congress. He is a former chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, presiding over GOP gains in 2014 and smaller-than-anticipated losses in 2016. Rep Walden has shown occasional discomfort with some of President Trump’s policies