Dennis Hastert not seeking another term

August 18, 2007

Washington, DC - Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert, who remained in Congress when Democrats took back control of Congress in November 2006, but stepped down from his Republican leadership post, announced Friday that he will not seek another term in 2008.

Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert, who remained in Congress when Democrats took back control of Congress in November 2006, but stepped down from his Republican leadership post, announced Friday that he will not seek another term in 2008.

His immediate predecessor, Republican Newt Gingrich of Georgia, was dogged by scandal when he stepped down as speaker after two terms, then resigned from Congress in disgrace a short while later.

Hastert told supporters that he thought Congressional efforts to keep America safe after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks will ultimately prove to be the most important actions of the Republican-controlled Congress he helped to lead.

"On that dark day for our nation, Congressional leaders vowed to do whatever was necessary to protect our citizens from future attacks," he said from the steps of the Kendall County Courthouse. "And, that is exactly what we did."

Hastert's decision to step down was not a surprise and opens up a seat in this Illinois district that is likely to be contested by Democrats.

"Any Republican running will have to answer for their party's failure to be nothing more than a rubber stamp for George Bush's endless war in Iraq and his irresponsible fiscal policies," said Doug Thornell, spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.