Longtime Congressman Bobby Rush announces retirement

Chicagoland Congressman Bobby Rush announced his retirement on Tuesday, ending a 30-year run in the House. The longtime lawmaker is the 24th House Democrat to either retire or run for another office in the 2022 midterm election cycle. 

During his remarks at the Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ in Chicago, the location of Emmett Till's funeral, Rush said spending more time with his grandchildren and in his role as a Chicago pastor were big factors in his decision.

"Many times over the last decade I have not been present with my family because of my mission. But we were always together in spirit, which made my mission possible," he said. "You can own public service but you can never own public office. And I want to be crystal clear — I am not retiring, I am returning. I will remain in public life, fighting for equity and justice for and within my community."