(WXYZ) — Michigan’s 10th District Congressman Paul Mitchell announced Wednesday he’s leaving office at the end of only his second term next year.
In a statement on the house floor, he was emotional, pausing to read his announcement. He said, “it appears to me that rhetoric overwhelms policy, and politics consumes much of the oxygen in this city.”
Chuck Stokes, Channel 7 Editorial Director, says it runs deeper for Mitchell saying, “he couldn’t get a meeting with the president, he didn’t like the remarks he made about 'the squad,' the four new members of Congress who are minorities and have been critical of President Trump."
Candice Miller, who held that office for 14 years, was critical of Mitchell, saying in a statement:
Comments on his departure from Congress leave something to be desired.
I would have appreciated seeing some recognition of the great people of the 10th District — good, decent, hardworking people who sent him to Washington DC on their behalf.
Miller declined an interview for this story. Stokes and others are speculating that Miller may want the job back. When she left Washington in 2016 her husband had health issues. She is currently the Macomb County Public Works Commissioner.
Mitchell has a 9-year-old adopted special needs child and says his priority after leaving next year will be his family.
The 10th District is strongly Republican and the race next year will be the Republican Primary.
