WASHINGTON _ Michigan GOP Rep. Dave Trott announced Monday that he won't seek re-election in 2018.
"I have decided that the best course for me is to spend more time with my family and return to the private sector," Trott said in a statement.
The two-term Republican said he initially sought election as a "citizen legislator" for a limited time.
"Our country's founding fathers envisioned a government where citizens leave private life, serve for a brief time and then return home to their communities," he said.
Elected in 2014, Trott serves on the Financial Services Committee.
National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Steve Stivers praised Trott Monday.
"His focus on job creation has paid off, and Michiganders in the 11th District are better off today thanks to his leadership," the Ohio congressman said in a statement.
"The NRCC is looking forward to keeping his seat red in 2018. We will not let his hard work go to waste, and are confident this seat will remain under Republican control," Stivers added.
Trott won re-election last fall by 13 points. Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates his seat Likely Republican. President Donald Trump won the 11th District by 4 points last fall, according to calculations by Daily Kos Elections. Mitt Romney carried the seat by 5 points in 2012 after former President Barack Obama carried it by about 2 points in 2008.
Out of a handful of Republicans considering the race, state Rep. Klint Kesto is most strongly weighing getting in. State Rep. Laura Cox could also be interested.
Democrat Haley Stevens is already running for the 11th District. Stevens was chief of staff for the Obama administration's Auto Task Force. Stevens raised $323,000 in the 2nd quarter of this year and ended June 30 with $281,000 in the bank.
