Rep. Jan Schakowsky is planning to announce next month she won’t seek reelection after 14 terms in the House and has started informing allies of her retirement decision, according to two people granted anonymity to describe the private conversations.
The veteran Illinois Democrat, 80, confirmed in a statement that an announcement is forthcoming, though she did not say what it would entail: “I’m going to announce my plans on May 5th. Stay tuned,” she said. Schakowsky’s annual Ultimate Women’s Power Lunch is set for that date in Chicago.
After this report was initially published, Schakowsky issued a second statement insisting she has not yet made a decision: “I will make that decision in the coming weeks and announce on May 5.”
A longtime leader of the progressive bloc in Congress, Schakowsky has been on retirement watch for months. She is already facing a longshot primary challenge from influencer Kat Abughazaleh.
