Sen. Patrick Leahy will not seek reelection

U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, one of the nation’s longest-serving senators, has announced he will not seek reelection in 2022. He’s served in the Senate since 1975. 

Leahy announced his decision on Monday with his wife, Marcelle, at a press conference in his home state of Vermont. 

“While I will continue to serve Vermont, Marcelle and I have reached a conclusion: It is time to put down the gavel,” said Leahy, speaking from the State House. "It is time to pass the torch to the next Vermonter, who'll carry on this work for our great state. It's time to come home.”

At age 81, Leahy, a Democrat, is the fourth longest serving senator in the nation’s history, and the longest serving senator still in office. 

On Monday, Gov. Phil Scott (R) thanked Leahy for his five decades of service to Vermonters, including his work on getting pandemic relief to the state. 

“The Senator has been an incredible champion for Vermonters, and his leadership and experience has ensured our state is well represented in Congress,” Scott said in a statement. “It is thanks to him, and the funding he’s secured for our state, that Vermont is in a position to come out of this pandemic stronger than before and tackle big challenges from broadband and infrastructure to the opioid crisis. We are indebted to him.”

U.S. Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) also honored Leahy in a statement after the news became official on Monday.

“No one has served Vermont so faithfully, so constantly, so honestly, and so fiercely as Patrick. … While Patrick has been a giant in the U.S. Senate, consulted by presidents and world leaders, he is always happiest on his farm in Middlesex and being with his fellow Vermonters,” Welch said. “He never left his roots in Montpelier or the values of his parents, who instilled decency, honesty, and service.” 

Leahy’s retirement will lead to the first vacancy in Vermont’s congressional delegation since 2006, and that’s important for his fellow Democrats. They will need to hold on to each of their current Senate seats to maintain their slim majority in that chamber. In the 2022 midterms, Democrats will be defending 14 Senate seats and Republicans will be defending 20.

This week, watch Omni Reporter for more coverage relating to this announcement. 

— Gareth Henderson