U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, a prominent Republican Congressman known for his stance against the Chinese government, revealed he won’t seek re-election for a fifth term, following his recent clash with fellow Republicans over the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Gallagher’s refusal to support Mayorkas’s impeachment, amidst GOP efforts to hold the Biden administration accountable for its handling of the U.S.-Mexico border, caused tensions within the party. Despite facing pressure from his colleagues to change his vote, Gallagher stood firm, emphasizing in a Wall Street Journal op-ed that impeachment wouldn’t address border issues and could set a dangerous precedent.
The failure of the impeachment vote marked a setback for the GOP, prompting speculation among Wisconsin Republicans about challenging Gallagher in a primary. However, Gallagher attributed his decision to retire to a desire not to make a career out of electoral politics, stating that Congress was no place to grow old. He downplayed the impact of the impeachment backlash on his choice, expressing confidence that people understood differences in opinion.A former Marine from Green Bay, Gallagher has represented northeastern Wisconsin in Congress since 2017, notably leading a House committee dedicated to countering China. He framed the U.S.-China competition as an existential struggle during the committee’s hearings, highlighting tensions exacerbated by issues like tariffs, COVID-19, and Chinese aggression. Despite criticism from Chinese officials, Gallagher remained committed to his role, abandoning plans to run for the U.S. Senate in favor of focusing on countering China through the committee and seeking a fifth House term.
