Tennessee U.S. Representative Mark Green (R-TN-07) confirmed that his vote to pass the “big beautiful bill” on Thursday morning will mark the end of his career in Congress as he is set to enter the private sector.
Wednesday night, as House members were voting on a measure to advance the bill, Green told Punchbowl News that he “will retire after reconciliation passes.”
Green, who has represented Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District since his election to the seat in 2018, announced his plans last month to retire from Congress and take a position in the private sector after the House passed the budget reconciliation package.
Green’s retirement makes four vacancies in the House, leaving the Republicans with a seven-seat advantage (219-212) over Democrats.
The Tennessee congressman also leaves his powerful post as chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee upon his retirement.
A special election to fill Green’s congressional seat is yet to be called by Governor Bill Lee. A primary election for the seat is likely to occur within 90 days of the vacancy, followed by a general election shortly after.
Since the announcement of his retirement, a number of Republicans have launched campaigns seeking to succeed Green in representing Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District.
Last week, Tennessee State Representative Jay Reedy (R-Erin) filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) formally declaring his candidacy for the seat, while former Tennessee Department of General Services Commissioner Matt Van Epps and Montgomery County Commissioner Jason Knight both launched bids for Green’s seat last month.
Springfield resident Jon Thorpe announced his bid for Green’s seat before the congressman announced he would be taking a role in the private sector.
Tennessee State Representative Jody Barrett (R-Dickson) also continues to explore a potential bid for Green’s seat.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Rep. Mark Green” by Gage Skidmore CC2.0.
