Kentucky Republican Rep. Geoff Davis announced Thursday evening that he will not seek reelection.
Davis, who has represented a northern Kentucky district since being elected in 2004, becomes the first House Republican this year to retire without seeking another office.
“In order to devote more time to my family, I have decided not to seek reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives,” Davis said in a statement posted to his website.
It wasn’t immediately clear how Davis’ exit will affect the 2012 election. He has been targeted by Democrats in the past, including in a high-profile 2006 contest against former congressman Ken Lucas (D-Ky.) and his 2004 open seat win over actor George Clooney’s father, Nick Clooney. But, his current district went at least 60 percent for the Republican nominee in each of the last two presidential campaigns.
And, early indications were that redistricting would likely make his seat even more Republican, though it’s still very early in the process.
Seven other House Republicans are not seeking reelection but are seeking other office.
Seventeen Democrats aren’t seeking reelection, with nine retiring outright.
