The unprecedented number of congressional retirements continued Wednesday.

Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC) announced he will not seek re-election.

“After 9/11, I felt a calling to serve my State or Nation in some capacity. Serving in both the South Carolina State Legislature and the United States House of Representatives has been the culmination of that calling. I am blessed to have worked with amazing men and women in Congress. None have been more impressive than my DC and District staff, serving the constituents of the Palmetto State with efficiency and dedication,” Duncan announced in a press release.

“I am proud of my conservative voting record and the opportunities over these 14 years to lead the State and Nation on many issues important to South Carolina and the United States, especially in fiscal responsibility and American energy. At some point in a career, one needs to step aside and allow others to bring fresh ideas and abilities into the fight for Liberty, just as I have,” he continued.

“Representing the 3rd District of South Carolina in this capacity has been a privilege and honor. Now, it is time for another man or woman to serve our District in the next Congress. I will not seek re-election to the US House of Representatives,” he added.

“Dear America” host Graham Allen joined Steve Bannon “War Room” to discuss Duncan’s retirement and the district.

“We cannot afford to have WEAK republicans in Congress when Trump wins in 2024… Today, it was announced that Congressman Jeff Duncan in my home district would NOT seek reelection. Whoever replaces him will HAVE to be as America First as it gets,” Allen said.

WATCH:

Cont. from Duncan’s press release:

Congressman Duncan was the first Congressman elected from Laurens County in over 100 years and the first South Carolinian to serve a full term on the House Energy & Commerce Committee since Congressman Albert Watson in 1970. Rising to serve as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security, Duncan is also the highest-ranking South Carolinian to serve on the House Energy & Commerce Committee since Congressman Issac Holmes in 1843.

During Duncan’s tenure in Congress, he chaired three subcommittees for three separate full committees: Energy, Climate, & Grid Security Subcommittee for the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where he currently serves; Chairman of the Oversight and Management Efficiency Subcommittee for the Committee on Homeland Security, and Chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee for the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

During his time in Congress, Duncan served as a bridgebuilder to various factions within the Republican Conference. He was one of the few to serve in leadership on the Whip Team, hold a position as a steering committee member for the Republican Study Committee, and serve on the House Freedom Caucus simultaneously. A consistent conservative, Duncan holds lifetime conservative ratings of 95% from FreedomWorks, 93% from Heritage Action, and 94% from the Club for Growth.

Duncan worked on a diverse set of issue areas during his time in Congress, including assisting in securing funding and authorization for the Port of Charleston deepening project that now boasts an annual economic impact of $87 billion for the state. When the Obama Administration identified South Carolina as a potential location to relocate terrorists held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Duncan was the first to draft legislation to prevent the move.

The Hill reports:

Duncan is the 40th sitting lawmaker to call it quits at the end of this Congress, according to the House press gallery, joining a group of individuals either retiring from the House or seeking a different office. He is the 18th Republican with plans to depart the chamber.

The exodus comes as lawmakers are slogging through one of the more unproductive Congresses in recent years that has been plagued with drama — especially within the House GOP conference. Lawmakers have had to contend with two Speakers — both of which included several ballots — a pair of shutdown cliffs, a potential economic default and other legislative battles.

Duncan’s district is a reliable Republican stronghold: Former President Trump won the area by more than 30 percentage points in 2020.

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