Democrat Virginia Rep. Jennifer Wexton introduced that she wouldn’t be looking for re-election after being identified with “Parkinson’s on steroids.”
Wexton, 54, issued a press launch on Monday saying that her docs had modified her prognosis from Parkinson’s Illness to Progressive Supra-nuclear Palsy.
The Democrat congresswoman mentioned that she “knew that the highway forward would have its challenges” after sharing her preliminary prognosis in April and that she’s been navigating “these challenges by means of constant therapies and therapies.”
DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSWOMAN, 54, REVEALS PARKINSON’S DIAGNOSIS, SAYS ‘DON’T FEEL SORRY FOR ME’
Democrat Virginia Rep. Jennifer Wexton introduced that she wouldn’t be looking for re-election after being identified with Progressive Supra-nuclear Palsy. (Picture by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Publish by way of Getty Photographs)
“However I wasn’t making the progress to handle my signs that I had hoped, and I seen the ladies in my Parkinson’s assist group weren’t having the identical expertise that I used to be,” Wexton mentioned.
“I sought out further medical opinions and testing, and my docs modified my prognosis to Progressive Supra-nuclear Palsey — a type of ‘Parkinson’s on steroids,'” she continued.
Wexton said that she has “always believed that honesty is the most important value in public service” and that “the new diagnosis is a tough one.”
The Virginia congresswoman said there is “no ‘getting better’ with PSP” and that she plans to “proceed remedy choices” to maintain her signs in verify, however added the therapies “do not work as effectively” together with her new prognosis as they did for her Parkinson’s prognosis.
The Democrat congresswoman mentioned that she “knew that the highway forward would have its challenges” after sharing her preliminary prognosis in April and that she’s been navigating “these challenges by means of constant therapies and therapies.” (Picture by Eric Lee for The Washington Publish by way of Getty Photographs)
“I am heartbroken to have to surrender one thing I’ve cherished after so a few years of serving my group,” Wexton mentioned. “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.”
Wexton mentioned that her retirement “was clearly not the way in which” she anticipated it when she determined to run for Congress and that she “will ceaselessly cherish the folks from our communities and throughout the nation” she has gotten to know in addition to the challenges they’ve confronted and the way in which she has made a distinction in her group.
“Whereas my time in Congress will quickly come to a detailed, I am simply as assured and dedicated as ever to maintain up the work that bought me into this combat within the first place for my remaining time in workplace — to assist construct the long run we wish for our youngsters. I’m actually humbled by the belief Virginians have positioned in me, and I sit up for persevering with to serve the folks of our district.”
Wexton first took workplace in 2019 after defeating then-incumbent GOP Rep. Barbara Comstock of Virginia for her Home seat. She defended that seat in 2022 towards Republican candidate Hung Cao by 53% of the vote.
MIDTERM ELECTIONS: ALL EYES ON VIRGINIA AS DEMOCRATS ATTEMPT TO HOLD OFF GOP IN HOUSE
The Democratic congresswoman mentioned that her preliminary Parkinson’s prognosis primarily affected her speech.
“If there’s one factor that Democrats and Republicans can agree on, it is that Parkinson’s illness sucks,” the consultant mentioned on the time.
“Chances are you’ll discover I converse extra shortly now. It additionally has affected how I stroll and maintain my steadiness,” she mentioned.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“I am doing effectively,” Wexton mentioned. “I’ve bought a constructive angle, and I’ve bought the robust assist of so many household, associates and family members.”
Wexton’s retirement opens up a purple district that Republicans and Democrats alike shall be trying to maintain.
Fox Information Digital’s Timothy H.J. Nerozzi contributed reporting.
