Phil Roe Out!

Another geezer Republican steps down. Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN) is bowing out.

Another House Republican is leaving. The Tennessee lawmaker David Phillip Roe is retiring from the U.S. House of Representatives. He would make the 22nd lawmaker to announce retirement.

The Johnson City lawmaker is a former doctor turned congressman.

Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN) represents the 1st Congressional District. It's one of the many gerrymandered districts that covers Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol, TN, Pigeon Forge and suburban Knoxville.

After xix terms of opposing Barack Obama and supporting Donald J. Trump, Roe has decided to put the breaks on a longtime career as hypocritical politician.

Roe announced that he's no longer seeking another term.

Roe was first elected to Congress in 2008 after beating Republican incumbent David Davis in the primary.

With friends like these....

The Congressman said leading up to the announcement he was making this decision based on personal matters. He said that the impeachment didn't have a factor. He supported the Republicans decision not to impeach Trump.

He said that the family and the travels to Washington, DC are stressful.

He is currently the minority ranking member on the House Veteran Affairs Committee.

Roe is a retired physician who worked more than 30 years as an OB/GYN in Johnson City. He served as a city commissioner and mayor of Johnson City before running for Congress.

He set a term limit which he didn't keep his word on. He said five terms and that's all. Well it looks like he's in his sixth term.

The Republicans held the congressional district since the Civil War.

Trump carried the district by 60 points.