Rep. Neal Dunn, R-Fla., today refused to comment on reports that he will soon announce he is resigning from Congress before the end of his term.
“I’m not making any comments right now,” Dunn told NBC News.
If he does resign before the Georgia special election to replace Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene, the GOP’s already minuscule majority will shrink to 217-214. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and his leadership team have struggled to pass basic procedural votes and bills with the razor-thin majority, and Dunn’s potential departure would make things worse.
Dunn, 72, said last month he would not seek re-election in 2026, saying “the time has come to pass the torch to new conservative leaders, return home to Panama City, and spend more precious time with my family and our beloved grandchildren.”
But Peter Schorsch, who runs a Florida politics site, reported that Dunn would announce next week that he is leaving Congress early, setting off a special election.
Members of the Florida delegation said today that Dunn had not informed them of his plans but that he has suffered from health issues. Johnson said he has urged Dunn to stay in Congress.
“He is a beloved member of Congress and a great man. And, you know, he’s informed us he’s not going to run for re-election, and what he does from here forward, I’m not sure,” Johnson said. “But I’ve encouraged him to stay and be a part of this. And I think he wants to do that. And so you have to ask him about all the circumstances.”
