Top House China hawk to retire, opening seat in battleground Wisconsin

House Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wi., chairman of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, will not seek reelection in 2024. His departure leaves open a seat in the swing state of Wisconsin and poses a threat to the slim House GOP majority. Gallagher’s retirement announcement comes as the race for the 2024 elections intensifies. He joins a growing number of Republican congress members planning to leave their posts, increasing the opportunity for Democrats to regain the House majority. Gallagher’s departure could trigger a scramble to fill his seat, which is particularly valuable in Wisconsin’s battleground status.