12:27 Tom Garrett, the Congressman from Virginia’s 5th district, is expected to address rumors of his resignation or re-election campaign at a liveblog today on Facebook at 12:30. Follow along as we keep you updated. The Facebook Live event is scheduled to begin at 12:30 and is being hosted on his campaign page and not his Congressional page:
https://www.facebook.com/garrettforva/ [1]
12:30: No FB Live yet. House has adjourned, so waiting on Tom. Press event is in front of the Indian Gaming Association building at 224 Second St SE. [2]
12:34: Jenna Portnoy from the Post is in attendance, and Alana Austin from CBS 19. WDBJ 7 is present.
12:38: Still no sign of Tom.
12:42: Waiting on Tom.
12:44: Senator Bryce Reeves is in attendance.
12:48: Garrett invited the press indoors to watch the announcement, so we should get started soon.12:52: Ryan Nobles from CNN is there. We are waiting for a lectern.
12:52: Live now:
12:56: Giving a history of his legislation he’s passed and bills he’s worked on so far in Congress.
12:59: “That was my bill. I did that. Incredible.”
1:00: Discussing aiding Sudanese refugees.
1:02: “The pinnacle of my time in Washington.”
1:03: “Before I leave here…”
1:05: “Our jobs are to serve. I am here to serve people.”
1:07: “Let’s talk about the political climate for a minute. Folks who use hyperbolic vitriol are a cancer.”
1:08: “I shouldn’t let this stuff get to me.”
1:09: “We are imperfect people. Jefferson did imperfect things but had good ideas.”
1:11: “This is what I know. This is what I believe.”
1:12: Yesterday in frustration, I said “I don’t know if I want to do this.”
1:13: There’s no way in hell I will not be back in 2019.”
1:14: “I am absolutely, positively running for reelection.”
1:16: “My Chief of Staff wasn’t fired. By definition he wasn’t fired. Sometimes in life you decide to do different things.”
Background:
Rep. Tom Garrett (R-Va.) affirms he will continue reelection bid [3] by Jenna Portnoy, Washington Post
Garrett in turmoil, might quit Congress [4] by Alex Isenstadt, Politico
Cover photo by Rick Sincere. State Senator Bryce Reeves talks with Congressman Tom Garrett at Thursday’s press conference.