House GOP on edge as retirement rumors swirl around Republican Neal Dunn

Rumors in regards to the attainable early retirement of one of many Republican lawmakers are inflicting shock waves among the many wafer-thin majority of Republicans in Congress.

Fox Information Digital was instructed Wednesday that lawmakers consider Rep. Neal Dunn, R-Fla., is contemplating not serving the rest of his time period within the Home of Representatives earlier than his deliberate retirement on the finish of 2026, and that he mentioned the matter with Home management.

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., turned to Dunn when requested about his plans however mentioned he urged the Florida Republican to stay in Congress.

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Consultant Neal Dunn arrives on the Rayburn Home workplace constructing on November 2, 2023. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Name, Inc by way of Getty Pictures)

“He is a beloved member of Congress and an awesome man. And , he is knowledgeable us that he isn’t working for re-election. And what he’ll do from right here on out, I am unsure,” Johnson instructed reporters.

‘You need to ask him about it. However I inspired him to remain and be part of this, and I believe he desires to do this. And so you need to ask him all of the circumstances.’

Dunn instructed reporters he had “no remark” on the matter that very same day to CNN.

One other Republican departure earlier than the March particular election to fill the seat abruptly vacated by former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., would drop the margin within the Home of Representatives to 217 to 214.

Speaker Mike Johnson pauses for questions from reporters on the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photograph)

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It will imply Johnson would face a one-seat margin of error, seemingly till August, when California Gov. Gavin Newsom has scheduled a particular election to switch the late Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif.

Dunn introduced final month that he wouldn’t search re-election after serving practically a decade in Congress.

In his wake, crowded primaries are forming, a battle that could possibly be accelerated by Dunn’s attainable early retirement.

Particular primaries in Florida sometimes happen 120 to 130 days after an early departure from Congress, whereas a normal election is prone to happen 70 to 80 days afterward.

Gov. Ron DeSantis holds a press convention in Winter Backyard, Florida. (Paul Hennessy/SOPA Pictures/LightRocket by way of Getty Pictures)

Fox Information Digital was instructed that lawmakers within the Home of Representatives are in discussions with Gov. Ron DeSantis’ workplace in regards to the timing of a attainable particular election for Dunn, and whether or not Florida election regulation would enable him to stay in workplace till after the first.

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However Fox Information Digital was additionally instructed that lawmakers don’t consider it’s seemingly that Dunn will go away his seat early if that chance doesn’t come up.

Each Dunn and DeSantis’ places of work didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.