Kinzinger will not seek re-election

Sixteenth District Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-Channahon) will not run for re-election.

Late last week, the member of the U.S. House of Representatives released a video entitled "The Next Chapter” on his website, www.country1st.com, announcing that he plans to move on from Congress.

“America is facing an incredibly perilous time," Kinzinger said. "I have always been optimistic, looking to our history to show how we would overcome any obstacle. In bad moments, someone has always stepped up to lead. Government for, of, and by the people always prevails. Right now, that government is the problem. And few have risen to do anything about it, because in this day to prevail or survive you must belong to a tribe."

Kinzinger, who is currently in his sixth term, is one of two House Republicans who sits on the Jan. 6 Committee investigating the Capitol riot, and was one of 10 House Republicans who voted in favor of former President Donald Trump's second impeachment.

In his video statement, Kinzinger said he's disappointed in the nation's leaders, and argued that the nation's two major political parities have become too extreme. Kinzinger said there is "little to no desire" for members of Congress to come together.

"I’ve witnessed how division is so heavily rooted in this country. There’s little to no desire to bridge our differences, and unity is no longer a word we use. It has also become increasingly obvious that in order to break the narrative, I cannot focus on both a re-election to Congress and a broader fight nationwide," he said. "As a country, we need to remember who we really are, what we’ve achieved in our darker days and why we’ve always fought for a brighter future. I know I’m not alone—there are many Americans desperately searching for a better way. They want solutions, not more problems. They want action, not extremism. They want light, not darkness. And the sooner we do it, the better it will be for the land that we love. Now is the time to put Country First.”

Kinzinger did not make any announcements regarding his future plans.

"I want to make it clear. This isn't the end of my political career, but the beginning," he said.