Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) introduced Monday that she won’t be searching for re-election after being identified with a uncommon, deadly neurological dysfunction.
Wexton sat down with the Washington Put up for an unique 90-minute interview Saturday (which was printed Monday) and revealed that she has progressive supra nuclear palsy (PSP). Throughout the interview, Wexton detailed the unbelievable struggling she was enduring.
It’s arduous for me to talk in a manner that individuals can perceive and that they need to hearken to … I hate the best way I sound now. I at all times have to consider slowing down and enunciating.
Folks I do know know I’ve struggled for a very long time. I’ll have the ability to chill out and benefit from the time I’ve left and the time I’ve left in Congress.
At one level in the course of the interview, Wexton turned to her chief of workers and longtime confidante, Abigail Carter, and tried to reassure her earlier than revealing her actual prognosis: sure dying.
It’s okay. It’s not okay. It’s not okay in any respect … I’m going to die, which isn’t truthful.
Wexton had beforehand been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Illness in April on World Parkinson’s Day. Because the Put up reports, she had deliberate to stay in Congress.
However then Wexton noticed her signs weren’t bettering with remedy and sought second and third opinions. In June, she obtained the actual reason behind her illnesses.
She revealed to the Put up that she requested her physician if she may nonetheless run for re-election after being identified with PSP. Her physician replied, “why would you need to?”
Wexton wrote a textual content to the Put up Saturday night that this brought on her pondering to vary:
However what turned clear was that not solely would I not have the ability to deal with the trials of campaigning in a tricky district (hours of each day name time! Marketing campaign rallies! Trackers and assault advertisements!) even when I may it could have actually killed me. And my life is unquestionably too brief for that!
Wexton additionally launched an announcement Monday to the general public explaining her decision:
I’ve at all times believed that honesty is a very powerful worth in public service, so I need to be sincere with you now — this new analysis is a tricky one. There is no such thing as a ‘getting higher’ with PSP. I’ll proceed remedy choices to handle my signs, however they don’t work as effectively with my situation as they do for Parkinson’s.”
I’m heartbroken to have to surrender one thing I’ve beloved after so a few years of serving my neighborhood. However bearing in mind the prognosis for my well being over the approaching years, I’ve made the choice to not search reelection as soon as my time period is full and as an alternative spend my valued time with Andrew, our boys, and my associates and family members.
An replace on my well being and my plans for serving #VA10 in Congress. pic.twitter.com/815hxhtRBv
— Rep. Jennifer Wexton (@RepWexton) September 18, 2023
