Pennsylvania Republican Costello won't seek reelection

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Rep. Ryan CostelloRyan Anthony CostellloBottom line Former GOP Rep. Costello launches lobbying shop Head of Pennsylvania GOP resigns over alleged explicit texts MORE (R) on Sunday announced he wouldn’t seek reelection in his Pennsylvania district in the upcoming midterm elections, in another blow to the GOP as fears mount over the possibility of a Democratic sweep in November.

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“It was a combination of factors,” Costello told the Daily Local News of West Chester, Pa. “It has been a deeply personal decision and evaluation.”

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“But those who love me agree and those who I love agree with it,” he said, according to the news outlet. “I will not be running for re-election.”

He went on to cite the “very angry” political environment as one of his reasons for the decision.

“Whether it’s [President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE’s alleged affair with adult-film star] Stormy Daniels, or passing an omnibus spending bill that the president threatens to veto after promising to sign, it’s very difficult to move forward in a constructive way today,” Costello told the Daily Local News.

The announcement comes days after the Supreme Court denied a request to block the implementation of a new court-ordered map in the state, a move that Republicans fear gives Democrats a significant boost in Pennsylvania in the midterms.

In a separate interview on Sunday with MSNBC’s “Kasie DC,” Costello said his choice not to run was “the most difficult decision I can recall having to make” and that the state Supreme Court’s decision to invalidate the old district map led him to not seek reelection.

Following his announcement, the Cook Political Report moved Costello’s district from “toss up” to “likely Dem.”

Rumors surfaced recently that Costello wouldn’t seek reelection, and he reportedly met with former 6th District Rep. Jim Gerlach (R) and the state GOP chairman to discuss his decision on Friday.

Other Pennsylvania Republicans, including Keith RothfusKeith James RothfusLobbying world Conor Lamb gets 2020 challenger touted by Trump The 31 Trump districts that will determine the next House majority MORE and Brian FitzpatrickBrian K. FitzpatrickBipartisan group demands House prioritize communities of color in coronavirus relief bill Fitzpatrick to face Democrat Christina Finello in key Pennsylvania House race Key races to watch in Tuesday’s primaries MORE, also face tough reelections under the new map, which has led Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) to tweet that the state’s GOP is “now in a world of trouble.”

The state’s congressional map has been a source of controversy after the state Supreme Court ruled it was unconstitutional. The court eventually drew its own map when the GOP-controlled legislature and the Democratic governor were unable to agree on new district lines.

Republicans have been challenging the map in court, arguing the state Supreme Court did not give them enough time to rework the map. But their efforts to block the map have been repeatedly rebuffed.