Posted January 5, 2015 at 10:30pm

Rep. Chris Gibson, R-N.Y., will announce his retirement Tuesday, according to two GOP sources.

The Republican, who was re-elected to a third term in November, will open a competitive seat in 2016 with his departure following this Congress. President Barack Obama carried the district with 52 percent, making it a must-win for House Democrats if they want to put a dent in the GOP’s historic majority this cycle. Last year, Gibson annihilated venture capitalist Sean Eldridge, the Democratic nominee with deep pockets, by nearly 30 points.

Initially, Democrats were optimistic about defeating Gibson in the lush and rolling Hudson Valley-based district north of New York City. But Eldridge’s candidacy quickly flamed out , and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee never reserved airtime in the 19th District to support his campaign.

Without Gibson on the ticket, Democrats will target the district as a pick-up opportunity.

Gibson is also interested in running statewide, perhaps in 2018, said one of the sources.

A spokesman for Gibson did not immediately return an email request seeking comment Monday evening.