Donald Trump never brags about anything without adding that, whatever it is he’s claiming to have done, he’s done it bigger and better or more than “ever before in history.” So far, the only record he really holds is in the number of resignations by government officials under his presidency.
NEW: Rep. Tom Marino, five-term GOP congressman who co-chaired Donald Trump's presidential campaign in Pennsylvania, is resigning from Congress, saying he has "chosen to take a position in the private sector." https://t.co/BtDkEFDuSf pic.twitter.com/J36xcCEmlI
— ABC News (@ABC) January 17, 2019
On Thursday, Rep. Tom Marino (R-PA) announced that he is resigning from the seat he’s held for five consecutive terms after being reelected in November 2018 and sworn in just a handful of days prior to his resignation to take a job in the public sector. A resignation that comes this soon into a congressman’s term is highly unusual, but Marino offered no further details about his motive for the decision.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Tom Marino, a five-term Republican congressman who helped steer Trump’s successful presidential campaign in PA, said Thursday that he is resigning just days into a new term.
Marino said his last day will be Jan. 23–taking a job in private sector. TPM pic.twitter.com/NcY7w5YfBu— Debbie (@Dangchick1) January 17, 2019
ABC News reports that:
‘The 66-year-old former county and federal prosecutor was one of Trump’s earliest supporters in Congress. Trump nicknamed Marino and former Rep. Lou Barletta “thunder and lightning” when they co-chaired his campaign in Pennsylvania.
‘Trump nominated Marino in 2017 to become the nation’s drug czar, but Marino withdrew his name from consideration after reports he played a key role in a law that weakened federal power to stop companies from distributing opioids.’
His withdrawal from drug czar consideration followed reports that he played a key role in passing a bill weakening the federal government's authority to stop companies from distributing opioids.
The Governor must schedule a special election.#DemForce https://t.co/FrRSt0tUfC
— Blue #DemForce (@SolidBlue2020) January 17, 2019
Pennsylvania requires a special election when a congressman resigns inside of allowing for the appointment of a new one by the governor. That special election is likely to be rife with chaos should the government shutdown not end before the election begins.
It’s unlikely that the seat will be lost to Republicans, but House elections were won in November at unlikely rates and under unlikely odds.
‘Marino’s resignation is likely to set off a furious scramble to secure votes among the committee members of the state Republican Party who will select a nominee to run in the special election.
‘The sprawling district covers all or parts of 15 counties. Registered Republicans outnumber Democrats there by nearly 100,000.’
Dear #GOP legislators: GOP Rep Tom Marino resigned in the middle of a government shutdown caused by @realDonaldTrump. If you are stressed or unhappy by the actions of @POTUS but you are afraid to stand up to him, you may want to consider following Mr. Marino. https://t.co/UWTueWRleq
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) January 17, 2019
Featured image via Flickr by Gage Skidmore under a Creative Commons license