RICHMOND Rep. Thomas Garrett (R-Va.) announced Monday that he is struggling with alcoholism and will abandon his run for a second term in Congress so he can focus on recovery and his family.
Garrett, a member of the conservative Freedom Caucus, is the 44th Republican to retire or announce they will not seek reelection to the House this year, according to CNNs retirement tracker. Many are leaving in anticipation of a strong Democratic performance in Congressional races this fall and out of frustration with partisan politics in Washington.
The former Virginia state senator was facing a robust challenge from his Democratic challenger, journalist and author Leslie Cockburn, who had raised more money than him and had more cash on hand.
Any person Republican, Democrat or independent who has known me for any period of time and has any integrity knows two things: I am a good man and Im an alcoholic, Garrett, fighting back tears, said in a video shot Monday afternoon on Richmonds Capitol Square. This is the hardest statement that I have ever publicly made by far. Its also the truth