Just one day after the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette published the damning details of Tim Murphy’s extra-marital affair, the eight-term Republican congressman from Pennsylvania announced on Wednesday that he plans to retire at the end of his current term.
On Wednesday, Murphy released a generic statement to local CBS affiliate KDKA that doesn’t really explain why he will not be seeking reelection:
“After discussions with my family and staff, I have come to the decision that I will not seek reelection to Congress at the end of my current term.
I plan to spend my remaining months in office continuing my work as the national leader on mental health care reform, as well as issues affecting working families in southwestern Pennsylvania.
We have accomplished much in the past year through the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act and there is much work yet to be done.
In the coming weeks I will take personal time to seek help as my family and I continue to work through our personal difficulties and seek healing. I ask you to respect our privacy during this time.”
But it’s not exactly rocket science to read between the lines. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette story published texts that Murphy reportedly exchanged with his mistress in January that show him suggesting that she get an abortion, despite his public anti-abortion stance, a hypocrisy the woman is quick to point out. A text from Murphy addressing the woman’s concerts over his zealous moral inconsistency reads, “I get what you say about my March for life messages. I’ve never written them. Staff does them. I read them and winced. I told staff don’t write any more. I will.”
Murphy has received a 100% anti-abortion voting record stamp of approval from prominent anti-abortion group The Family Research Council.
NBC reports that Steve Stivers, chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, said in a statement on Wednesday that he was, “extremely disappointed in the circumstances surrounding Congressman Murphy’s retirement” and added that he’s sure Murphy’s district “will remain under Republican control next year.” Oh goody.