Rep. Ted Deutch Will not Seek Reelection to Congress

The rumors circulating around Washington and South Florida that Rep. Ted Deutch (D) would be announcing his retirement from the U.S. Congress have now been proven to be true.

The Floridian first learned of the Rep. Deutch's move several months back but did not report the soon-to-be retirement out of respect for a confidential source close to the congressman.

Several years back, then State Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D) told The Floridian that he had it worked out that he would be Rep. Deutch's successor. Moskowitz would go on to be tapped by Gov. Ron DeSantis as the state's Director of Florida Division of Emergency Management.

Moskowitz left the position and has been appointed by Gov. DeSantis to fill a vacant Broward County Commission seat.

If Moskowitz doesn't run for Deutch's open seat, could Democratic Minority Leader Lauren Book or even Broward County Property Appraiser Marty Kiar (D).

Deutch, who is one of the loudest voices of support for the State of Israel, becomes the latest Democrat to leave Congress in apparent anticipation of a Republican sweep in November.

“Good choice on retirement, Ted Deutch. Don’t worry – you’ll be joined by more of your Democrat friends soon enough!” – RNC Spokeswoman Julia Friedland

This story is developing.

Here is Deutch's official resignation:

Dear Friend,

After serving the public for more than 15 years, I have decided I will not seek re-election this November. Public service was instilled in me by my father who earned a Purple Heart in the Battle of the Bulge, and it has been a tremendous privilege to serve the people of Palm Beach and Broward Counties in Congress since 2010. I am incredibly grateful to my constituents for their support and friendship.

In my seven terms in Congress, I have worked hard and tried to find common ground. I’m proud of my work to make our communities safer from gun violence, strengthen social security and protect our most vulnerable seniors, and ensure Holocaust survivors can live in dignity. I’m proud of the many bipartisan ways we’ve come together - to provide resources for those battling eating disorders, to help seniors at risk of fraud, and to combat climate change. And in a dangerous world, I’ve worked with my colleagues to fight terrorism and rogue regimes like Iran, and to support our military and veterans, including securing recognition for heroic World War II, Korea, and Vietnam heroes who had been denied the honor they deserved.

I have been forever changed by serving the people of Broward and Palm Beach Counties in Congress. When I took office, Robert Levinson of Coral Springs had already been missing in Iran for three years. I’m humbled to have gotten to know Bob’s remarkable family while working with them to try to secure Bob’s release, and ultimately grieving alongside them at the news of Bob’s passing.

Our community was profoundly changed on February 14, 2018. Seventeen students and teachers of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School were killed that day, and I have tried every day since to be there for their families and to help them honor the memories of their loved ones in all the ways they are working to make our schools and community safer. I have also tried to support the survivors in any way I can, though it is their powerful voices that have helped create desperately needed change. The Parkland families and student survivors inspire me every day.

Since 2013, my colleagues have selected me to lead our critical foreign policy work in the Middle East. Even as Iran continues its illicit quest for nuclear weapons and support for terror groups worldwide, we are also witnessing a new era of cooperation in the Middle East that brings transformative new opportunities. For me, this foreign policy work has been a natural continuation of my deep ties to the American Jewish community and my long-standing advocacy on behalf of the U.S.-Israel relationship. Beyond foreign policy, we have also seen an unprecedented rise in antisemitism in our own country and abroad, and I have been at the forefront of the Congressional response as the founding co-chair of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism. This critical work, and the opportunity to do it on a global scale, is why I am announcing that I will not be running for re-election to Congress as I have accepted an offer to serve as the next Chief Executive Officer of the American Jewish Committee.

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.

My nephew, Eli, died from accidental fentanyl ingestion one year ago this week, and as I continue to represent our community in Congress over the coming months, I will do all I can to raise awareness about the threat of fentanyl to young people like Eli in every community in America.

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.

Best regards,

Ted