California Democratic Rep. Julia Brownley announced that she will not seek re-election after seven terms representing a district in the Ventura County area. Thus far, more than three dozen members of the House have already announced that they won’t run again. Brownley is the second California House Democrat to announce her intention not to seek re-election this year. Proposition 50’s Democratic-friendly gerrymander was a triumph, making it bluer. “Serving our community and our country has been the honor of my lifetime,” Brownley said in a statement. “Every step of this journey has been shaped by the people I represent, by their resilience, their determination, and their belief that government can and should work for the common good,” Brownley added.
Brownley has a long history of being far-left. “We have helped thousands of constituents navigate the federal government, returned millions in earned benefits, and never lost sight of the simple truth that public service is about showing up for people when they need help the most,” the Democrat added. “Despite the immense challenges we are currently facing, I remain deeply optimistic about the future of our country,” she said. “The American experiment has endured not because it is perfect, but because generations of Americans continue to believe in it and work to make it more just, more equal, and more reflective of those it serves,” she said.
Brownley Praises Hakeem Jeffries
Brownley added, “I am particularly pleased that I will leave the House with Hakeem Jeffries as Speaker. I am confident that he will lead Congress with integrity, with purpose, with resolve, and with a clear vision for the future. While I will not be in Congress, I will remain in the fight, fighting for a better and brighter future.” Brownley did not give a reason for her decision, but the Democrat said in a statement she was “confident” that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries would be an excellent speaker of the House if Democrats win back the chamber. Gavin Newsom’s State of the State speech, saying she was exploring a bid for Brownley’s now-open seat.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries released a statement after Brownley announced she would not seek another term. “Congresswoman Julia Brownley is a principled public servant and an incredible advocate for the communities that she so ably represents in Ventura and Los Angeles counties,” Jeffries said. “She has been an incredible advocate for our veterans, service members and military families, particularly our women veterans. She led passage of the Female Veterans Suicide Prevention Act and the Deborah Sampson Act, critical pieces of legislation supporting the women who have bravely served our nation in uniform,” Jeffries continued. “Rep. Brownley will be missed by the House Democratic Caucus and we wish her and her family the very best in this new chapter,” Jeffries concluded.