Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, who has represented Texas in Congress for nearly 30 years, will retire in January 2023, she said Saturday — the latest high-ranking Democrat to retire ahead of what is shaping up to be a difficult 2022 election for the party.
The Texas congresswoman — who early in her career became the first Black woman to serve Dallas in the state Senate since Reconstruction, and in Congress was the first female and first Black
chair of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology — alluded to the push-and-pull in her speech.“I have gone back and forth … the whole time because of the pleading and the asking, but as of January … year after next, I will step down,”“There is a good reason I should stay: I am a personal friend to the president, I have gained some respect and influence,” she added.