Sh*t.
When Gowdy announced he was quitting politics, I PRAYED it meant he was taking on a Federal judge role.
Many speculated that his departure had something to do with an open spot on the 4th Circuit Court Of Appeals… and we held our breaths HOPING this was the case.
Looks like it won’t be.
According to Fox:
South Carolina Republican Rep. Trey Gowdy, the chairman of the House Oversight Committee who is leaving Congress this year, has turned down the opportunity to be nominated to the federal bench, Fox News has learned.
According to sources, White House Counsel Don McGahn called Gowdy twice to see if he would accept a nomination to serve as a judge on the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, but Gowdy declined. McGahn was about to submit a list of names for the 4th Circuit openings, and thought Gowdy wanted to be considered.
It was thought to be Gowdy’s dream job, but the lawmaker has signaled he is more interested in practicing law and teaching. The 4th Circuit has two openings for judges.
Gowdy, a former federal prosecutor, was also approached about the opening by South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott and Lindsey Graham. Gowdy told them he didn’t want to do it after consulting with his wife, Terri, who expressed concerns he might not be truly happy in that role.
UUGHHHHH…
GOWDY WE NEED YOU.
The 4th Circuit hears appeals from the nine federal district courts in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina and from federal administrative agencies.
Gowdy, elected to Congress in 2010, announced Wednesday that he is retiring from Congress at the end of his term, becoming the latest high-profile committee chairman to opt against re-election.
“I will not be filing for re-election to Congress nor seeking any other political or elected office; instead I will be returning to the justice system,” Gowdy said in a statement.
Trey Gowdy is one of the strongest conservative voices we have… and I am DEVASTATED to see him go.
But I get it… politics are dirty, and exhausting.
I doubt many good, honest people would want to do it forever.
(Which is why all the Democrats are life-long politicians.)