Joe.My.God. LGBT News
Orlando’s ABC affiliate reports:
U.S. Rep. Bill Posey announced Friday night that he is retiring after 16 years in Congress. The 76-year-old has held the seat for Florida’s 8th congressional district since 2008.
Posey told Channel 9 that he is leaving Congress because of “circumstances beyond my control.” He has endorsed former Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos — a fellow Republican who qualified to run for the seat hours before qualifying closed at noon Friday.
“Without going into a lot of personal details, stars aligned during the past week, and Mike decided he was ready for Congress,” Posey said. “I enthusiastically endorse him and will do everything I can to help him get elected.”
Politico reports:
He recently vote against the foreign aid package supported by Speaker Mike Johnson, and he also opposed reauthorizing a contentious surveillance program.
In his first term in office, Posey tried to pass a bill requiring that future presidential candidates produce a copy of their original birth certificate — a measure sparked by conspiracy theories surrounding President Barack Obama. Posey was ridiculed by late night comics for the move.
While he was in the Legislature, Posey was one of the main sponsors of the legislation that overhauled Florida’s voting system in the aftermath of the chaotic 2000 presidential recount.
Retiring Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL) was an original Obama “birther.” Posey sponsored the 2009 “Presidential Eligibility Act” that would have required presidential candidates to show birth certificates before being allowed on the ballot.https://t.co/lqP5fv1mm5
— David Mark (@DavidMarkDC) April 26, 2024