Rep. Jennifer Wexton announced on Monday she will not run for a fourth term in the House of Commons after being diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder.
Wexton (D-Va.) announced in April that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, but intended to continue serving in Congress.
On Monday, however, the 55-year-old revealed that doctors had determined he actually had the more serious form of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), which he called “kind of ‘Parkinson on steroids.'”
“I am saddened to have to give up something I love after so many years of service to my community,” Wexton said in a statement.
“I have decided not to run again when my term ends and instead spend my precious time together [husband] Andrew, our sons, and my friends and loved ones.”
Parkinson’s and PSP have similar early symptoms, causing the latter to be mistaken for a more common disorder. PSP can impair walking, eye movement, speech and more, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Jennifer Wexton’s 2018 victory ended nearly four decades of GOP control of her district. The Washington Post via Getty Images
Wexton says he has been diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy.Instagram/Rep. Jennifer Wexton
But PSP is said to worsen more quickly than Parkinson’s and fewer treatment options are available. On average, PSP patients tend to survive between six and nine years, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
“I have always believed that honesty is the most important value in public service, so I want to be honest with you now – this new diagnosis is a difficult one,” added the 55-year-old congresswoman.
“There is no ‘better’ with PSP. I will continue with my treatment options to manage my symptoms, but they don’t work with my condition like they do for Parkinson’s.”
Before running for Congress, Jennifer Wexton served in the Virginia Senate and worked as a lawyer.Getty Images
Wexton said in his announcement that he was “heartbroken to have to give up something I love.” Instagram/Rep. Jennifer Wexton
The Washington Post, recounting Wexton breaking the news to his chief of staff, reported that the congressman initially said “it’s fine” before changing his tone.
“Nevermind. It’s not OK at all,” the lawmaker said, according to the outlet. “I’m going to die, that’s not fair.”
Wexton, who represents Virginia’s 10th Congressional District covering an affluent area west of Washington, DC, was elected to Congress in 2018. He previously served in the Virginia Senate from January 2014.
The mother of two insists that she wants to spend the rest of her years with her children.AP
He was inspired to run by his contempt for then-President Donald Trump and managed to send incumbent Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.) in a “blue wave” year.
Shortly after entering Congress in January 2019, Wexton raised eyebrows with fly the transgender flag outside his office.
The Democrat previously told the Washington Post that he probably wouldn’t run for high office if Trump wasn’t in the White House.
Jennifer Wexton is widely considered one of the more moderate Democrats in the House.Getty Images
Wexton said he is committed to spending the rest of his time in Congress to “help build the future we want for our children.” Instagram/Rep. Jennifer Wexton
In April, when he announced his initial Parkinson’s diagnosis, Wexton expressed hope that he would be able to serve “for the next few years.”
“I wasn’t making as much progress in managing my symptoms as I had hoped, and I noticed the women in my Parkinson’s support group weren’t having the same experience as me. I got additional medical opinions and tests, and my doctor changed my diagnosis to progressive supranuclear palsy,” he explained on Monday.
“Although my time in Congress will soon end, I am as confident and committed as ever to continue the work that brought me to this fight in the first place for the remainder of my time in office — to help build the future we want for our children. ,” he added.
With Wexton unopposed, Republicans will likely see his seat as a pickup opportunity in 2024 after Republican Hung Cao reached 6.5 percentage points after canceling his last cycle.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
