Rep. Bobby Rush is expected to announce Tuesday that he will retire after finishing his 15th term in Congress, making him the 24th House Democrat to decide against seeking re-election in 2022.
A source close to Rush confirmed his plans late Monday. Rush, 75, a longtime civil rights activist, is expected to make a formal announcement Tuesday at a church in Chicago.first reported Rush's plans Monday. He told the newspaper that he made the decision in recent weeks and that a conversation with a grandson played a role.
Rush, who is an ordained minister, said he plans to remain active in his ministry and use his life story and experiences to inspire young people. Rush holds the distinction of being the only lawmaker to defeat Barack Obama in an election. He bested Obama in a congressional primary in 2000, when Obama was a state senator.