Rep. Annie Kuster, D-N.H., announced Thursday that she is leaving Congress after more than a decade to "set a better example," The Boston Globe reported.
"I'm trying to set a better example," Kuster said about her decision to not seek reelection. "I think there are colleagues — and some of whom are still very successful and very productive — but others who just stay forever."
At 68, Kuster is almost two decades younger than some of her colleagues in politics. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, is now the oldest serving member at 89. Of the remaining lawmakers in the top ten oldest, seven are Democrats over the age of 83 along with one Republican.
Kuster also said that President-elect Donald Trump and his supporters tried to overthrow the government almost four years ago and that the lingering trauma from events on Jan. 6, 2021, led her to rethink her career in politics.
"I've said somewhat facetiously, he tried to kill me once, I'm not available for that again," Kuster shared of her experience on Jan. 6, 2021.
"What we went through on Jan. 6 and his attempt to overthrow the government took a toll," she added about Trump. "That was really hard, and not just personally, but on my ability to work across the aisle."
Kuster also said the influence of fellow billionaires Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy had pushed her to retire.
"There's a theme developing when billionaires make decisions about hard-working families' lives, it comes out just mean," she told the outlet. "It's cold hearted."
Kuster will be replaced by Maggie Goodlander, 38, who defeated Republican Lily Tang Williams in November. Kuster has represented New Hampshire's 2nd Congressional District since 2013.
"She'll be great. I think she'll do fine," Kuster said. "It's all worked out, and I think the voters really wanted me to be replaced by a woman, and that's sort of endearing."
James Morley III ✉
James Morley III is a writer with more than two decades of experience in entertainment, travel, technology, and science and nature.
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