U.S Representative Ted Deutch (D- Florida) announced on Monday that he will not seek re-election this year, relinquishing his House seat to occupy a leadership position with a Jewish advocacy group.

Deutch, who represents parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties, becomes the 31st Democrat to publicly announce that they will not run for re-election. The announcement comes as a surprise and could lead to a packed Democrat Primary to replace him.

Deutch, who Florida Politics reports raised $66,000 in 2021’s 4th fiscal quarter, was seen as a heavy favorite to retain his seat, easily winning three prior elections with at least 60 percent of the vote.

“After serving the public for more than 15 years, I have decided I will not seek re-election this November. Public service was instilled in me by my father who earned a Purple Heart in the Battle of the Bulge, and it has been a tremendous privilege to serve the people of Palm Beach and Broward Counties in Congress since 2010. I am incredibly grateful to my constituents for their support and friendship,” Deutch said in a statement.

Please read my full statement here 👉https://t.co/aZnZMV27oc pic.twitter.com/LTtY5SRInl

— Rep. Ted Deutch (@RepTedDeutch) February 28, 2022

Deutch, who has worked in Congress since 2010, is a member of the Judiciary Committee, Foreign Affairs Committee, serves as chairman of the House Ethics Committee.

“I will be forever grateful for the opportunity you have given me to serve our community and to serve our country. I have been touched and inspired by so many people I have been privileged to meet,” said Deutch. “I have seen the good that can be accomplished when we work together, and I am forever hopeful about our future. Serving as your representative has been the greatest honor of my life.

Deutch is the second Florida Representative to announce an intent to leave Congress, following in the footsteps of Stephanie Murphy (D- FL).

Murphy, a mainstay for the Democrat’s moderate wing who flipped a Republican-held seat in 2016, cited the burden of being away from her family and two young children as the reasoning behind her decision.

“I’ve decided not to seek another term in Congress. Serving Central Florida has been the honor of my life, but it’s also been incredibly challenging for my family and me,” said Murphy on Twitter. “This was not an easy decision, but it is the right decision. Thank you for everything.”

With a vacuum in Florida politics, Republican leaders see the opportunity to expand their stranglehold on state politics.

“Good choice on retirement, Ted Deutch. Don’t worry – you’ll be joined by more of your Democrat friends soon enough,” said RNC Spokeswoman Julia Friedland