Wright to Resign Seat Friday
Rep. Jim Wright (D-Tex.), who quit as Speaker rather than face ethics charges, announced Monday that he will resign his House seat on Friday and not seek elective office again.
His written statement dashed the hopes of many of his Ft. Worth constituents that he would reconsider his announced plans to leave the House and either remain in Congress or resign and seek a new mandate in a special election to fill the vacancy.
Wright, 66, said that he would not foreclose the possibility of future national service in some other way but his statement ruled out the idea of remaining in Congress.
“It is best for the institution and best for the people whom I’ve served that I step aside now and make room for others,” he said.
Wright’s statement did not mention it, but his departure from the House will end the investigation of his personal financial affairs by the House Ethics Committee, and its charges against the former Speaker will now become moot. Wright, who denied any wrongdoing, stepped down as Speaker on May 31.
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