‘I’m Returning Home’: Rep. Bobby Rush Leaving Politics After 15 Terms

Politics

By Alyssa Wilson Published: January 4, 2022

‘I’m Returning Home’: Rep. Bobby Rush Leaving Politics After 15 Terms

Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., speaks during a news conference about the "Emmett Till Antilynching Act" which would designate lynching as a hate crime under federal law, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. Emmett Till, pictured at right, was a 14-year-old African-American who was lynched in Mississippi in 1955, after being accused of offending a white woman in her family's grocery store. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

In Summary

After serving the 1st Congressional District of Illinois for nearly 30 years, Rush announced he would not be seeking another term.

Democratic Representative Bobby Rush will not seek a 16th term representing his district in the Chicago area.

According to the Associated Press, the 75-year-old was once a Black Panther who co-founded the Illinois chapter of the group and had a rise in power in Illinois politics. Rush is known for his anti-violence activism and his work to further racial equity.

52 years ago today, the American government carried out a planned political assassination of one of our nation's brightest young leaders.

Fred Hampton was my best friend and comrade, the Chairman of the Illinois Chapter of the #BlackPantherParty. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/3eMg4X6c8e
— Bobby L. Rush (@RepBobbyRush) December 4, 2021

He was first elected in 1992 and is the only politician to have won a race against former President Barack Obama, defeating him in the 2000 congressional primary, according to the AP.

The longtime politician is also a minister who preaches at a church in Chicago. While he is not going into retirement, he is not seeking a new term to focus on other areas of his life, including ministry.

“I have been reassigned. Actually, I’m not retiring, I’m returning home,” Rush said in an announcement video obtained by the Associated Press. “I’m returning to my church. I’m returning to my family. I have grandchildren. I’m returning to my passion. I will be in public life. I will be working hand in hand with someone who will replace me.”

The representative is no stranger to taking action and fighting for justice and equality. In 2004, he was arrested for blocking the driveway of the Sudan embassy to demand the end of genocide in the country. Additionally, after Trayvon Martin was killed, Rush wore a hoodie on the House floor to make a statement and he was punished for violating rules about attire in the chamber.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Rush’s departure from office leaves the seat open for the first time in 30 years. Six Democrats are in the running for his coveted seat.

He is the latest Democrat to announce they will not seek reelection, including Reps. Eddie Bernice Jackson of Texas, Jackie Speier of California, Mike Doyle of Pennsylvania, David Prince of North Carolina, John Yarmuth of Kentucky and Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont.