Rep. Tom Garrett, R-Va., announced Monday he’s quitting his race for re-election, citing problems with alcohol.
The congressman representing Virginia’s 5th District recently was the subject of a Politico article in which staffers said Garrett and his wife, Flanna Garrett, treated them like servants. The former and current staff members alleged the Garretts asked them to run errands, including caring for their dog.
On Wednesday, Garrett, 46, told associates he was thinking of retiring from Congress, according to Politico. Then on Thursday he told reporters he would seek re-election in November during a “rambling, roughly half-hour news conference,” Politico reported.
“There is no way in heck that I’m not going to be back here in 2019 as a member of the Congress representing the 5th District of Virginia. Too darn much is at stake,“ Garrett said, according to the article.
John Whitbeck, chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia sent a tweet Monday afternoon thanking Garrett for his service. “Substance abuse is a serious issue that reaches even to the halls of Congress.Tom has tremendous courage for bringing his own struggle to light. We wish him and his family all the best,” the tweet read.
Garrett was first elected in 2016 and was a member of the House Freedom Caucus. He was being challenged by Democrat Leslie Cockburn.
Garrett’s most recent FEC filing showed he had $133,275 on hand. Cockburn had $271,113 on hand in her most recent filing.
The Cook Political Report’s latest take on the race said Garrett was “still…
