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Johnson Reportedly Told Donors Rep. Neal Dunn May Be Terminally Ill as Office Says He’ll Finish Term

The GOP’s one-seat House margin could be imperiled for months if a Florida vacancy triggers a lengthy special election.

Overview

  • Punchbowl NewsJake Sherman reported that multiple donor attendees say Speaker Mike Johnson told a GOP retreat that Rep. Neal Dunn may have a terminal diagnosis, with no official medical confirmation made public.
  • Eleanor Railsback, Dunn’s communications director, said the congressman will remain in office through the end of his term despite not seeking re-election.
  • Republicans hold a 218–214 majority, and an early departure by Dunn would drop the GOP to 217 members until a replacement is seated.
  • Johnson told reporters on Feb. 11 that he encouraged Dunn to stay in Congress until the next House is sworn in.
  • Florida Politics reported Dunn missed the State of the Union and that his Washington office posted a notice it is closed to visitors until March 2, while a special election would take at least about 130 days if a vacancy occurs.