Leaving Congress can be a liberating time in the life of an elected official, a time when lawmakers don’t have to listen to leadership or donors.
Since he announced that he would not seek reelection, Fifth District Congressman Tom Garrett was one of seven Republicans to vote against a bill setting aside housing vouchers for people recovering from opioid abuse. And he was one of 12 Republicans to vote against a bill giving the feds new authority to crack down on fentanyl.
Garrett says he’s always had an independent streak a mile wide. “I’ve said this a million times before I wasn’t running again, now I’m saying it again and I’m saying it again. Maybe people are listening," Garrett said Tuesday, "but I think this town would be better off if people on both sides of the aisle were earnest in their values, did what they thought was right not what they were told by their minority leader or the president or whomever. Period. This is simple. Nothing’s changed for me.”
Quentin Kidd at Christopher Newport University says members on their way out the door often end up showing their true colors.
“It’s just a liberating feeling not to have to raise money, not to have to go to donors and explain why you voted against some interest they have, not to have to go before voters,” Kidd said.
Candidates to replace Garett are Republican Denver Riggleman and Democrat Leslie Cockburn.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
