Rep. Ted Yoho | John Shinkle/POLITICO Yoho won't seek reelection

TALLAHASSEE — Republican Rep. Ted Yoho, a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump, said Tuesday he won't seek reelection after four terms in Congress.

Yoho represents the state's 3rd congressional district southwest of Jacksonville, a region Trump won with nearly 57 percent of the vote in 2016.


Yoho’s announcement comes on the day House Democratic leaders, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), unveiled articles of impeachment against Trump.

Though he is not seeking reelection, Yoho took to Twitter to say he still supports the president.

“The next time someone says we need to ‘abolish the electoral college,’ remember today,” Yoho said. “Look at the members announcing articles of impeachment against @RealDonaldTrump (duly elected by 30 states).”

Yoho is the second Florida Republican to yield a conservative seat. In October, Rep. Francis Rooney, who represents the conservative 19th congressional district announced he would not run in 2020.

Unlike Yoho, Rooney made his announcement a day after saying he wouldn't close the door on considering supporting impeachment, a comment that drew the ire of the GOP base.

Though Yoho's seat will almost certainly stay in Republican hands, the DCCC noted that conservative Florida Republicans are starting to quit safe seats even as Republicans say they can retake the House in 2020.

“As Republicans in Washington head for the exits in record numbers, Rep. Ted Yoho’s retirement added to Rep. Francis Rooney declining to seek re-election before him is proof positive that GOP morale is at an all-time low,” DCCC spokesperson Avery Jaffe said.

Four Republicans have already filed for Yoho's seat in anticipation that he might not run again. Among them are Clay County businessman Judson Sapp, who submitted his paperwork in October. On Monday, a day before Yoho’s announcement, Sapp’s campaign held a fundraiser featuring former Trump communications director Sean Spicer.

Other Republicans vying for the seat include Joseph Millado, Matthew Raines, and Amy Pope-Wells. Pope-Wells lost her nursing license in North Carolina after being accused of doctoring her certificate.

Clay County Commissioner Gavin Rollins also is said to be interested in the seat.

Democrat Tom Wells has announced his candidacy, but the seat is almost certain to remain in GOP hands.

Yoho’s future had been the subject of considerable political speculation.

His campaign began raising money at a slower clip than normal for an incumbent, which stoked rumors he was looking for an exit. Those rumors spiked when Yoho’s official Twitter account appeared to have been deleted.

His campaign quickly pushed back, telling The Capitalist that Twitter had “initially suspended the account for a post they claimed ‘violated community standards.’”

Yoho rose to office with a stunning primary win in 2012, when he knocked off former Republican Rep. Cliff Stearns, a 12-term incumbent who was the heavy favorite.