Rep. Annie Kuster (D-N.H.) is leaving Congress with the goal of opening doors for a younger generation in leadership.
“I’m trying to set a better example,” Kuster told the Boston Globe in a report published Thursday about her decision to not seek reelection. “I think there are colleagues — and some of whom are still very successful and very productive — but others who just stay forever.”
Kuster chocked up her decision to several reasons, including President-elect Trump’s White House bid as well as her experiences during the Capitol insurrection.
“I’ve said somewhat facetiously, he tried to kill me once, I’m not available for that again,” Kuster shared of her experience on Jan. 6, 2021.
“What we went through on Jan. 6 and his attempt to overthrow the government took a toll,” she added about Trump. “That was that was really hard, and not just personally, but on my ability to work across the aisle.”
Her decision to leave Capitol Hill was reaffirmed after days of debates revolving around the continuing resolution to extend government funding until March, she said. Kuster cited input from Elon Musk and other billionaires as a “cold hearted” gesture she refused to accept as the norm.