Greenwood Set to Retire
Pennsylvania Rep. Jim Greenwood (R) has informed the House Republican leadership that he will retire at the end of the 108th Congress, according to GOP sources.
Greenwood issued a statement Monday afternoon in which he said, “From time to time during my twenty four years of public service, I have been approached and offered other types of challenges and opportunities. Such has been the case in the last few days, and I am currently reviewing one of these opportunities. I will make my decision public in the very near future and will have no other statement until then.”
Two knowledgeable sources confirmed that Greenwood definitely plans to retire. The timing of Greenwood’s formal retirement announcement remains unclear, though a House Republican source said it would likely come later this week.
The 53-year-old moderate’s decision came as a surprise to Republican leaders, who are already working to defend several competitive open seats. Greenwood’s Philadelphia-area 8th district supported Al Gore over President Bush in 2000 by 51 percent to 46 percent.
Pennsylvania’s primary occurred in April, and it will be up to the state Republican Party to decide how to replace Greenwood on the November ballot.
Greenwood was elected to the House in 1992. He is the 15th House Member and 10th Republican to announce his retirement this Congress.