Maryland Democrat Rep. Jamie Raskin said Friday that he would not be running for Ben Cardin's empty Senate seat in 2024, but will seek re-election to the House and work to regain a Democrat majority there. 

“At this moment, I believe the best way for me to make the greatest difference in American politics in 2024 and beyond is this: to run for reelection to the House of Representatives in Maryland’s extraordinary 8th District,” he said in a statement.

Raskin was considered a strong contender for the Senate seat, having raised his profile in the House as an investigator of the January 6, 2021 Capitol breach and the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee (though in the minority party, currently).

But Raskin decided that he wants to continue his work in the House for now, particularly his fight against Trump.

Stopping Trump

“Nothing matters to me more in the 2024 cycle than winning a blowout victory for the party of democracy and freedom,” he wrote. “We Democrats may not be perfect but we fight hard every day for the Constitution and the common good of the people.”

“Meantime, Donald Trump and the dangerous forces of authoritarianism he commands have no declared policy agenda other than exacting revenge against his enemies,” he added.“Trump and his cult followers must be stopped in their political tracks.”

It's the usual rhetoric, but apparently Raskin seems to think it works for him.

He's firmly on the Democrat agenda bandwagon of hypocritical hand-wringing over climate change, claiming his opponents are spreading disinformation, and and pretending to care about the "rule of law" while applying double standards to those on his side like President Joe Biden.

"Not normal times"

He claimed that he's staying in the House because "these are not normal times."

"We are still in the fight of our lives for democratic institutions, freedom and basic social progress in America as well as human rights and opportunity for people all over the world,” Raskin said.

He said he will support whoever ends up nominated by Democrats for the seat.

Prince George County Executive Angela Alsobrooks has already been endorsed by Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), formerly the House majority leader under the Democrats.

Last month, Raskin, 60, announced that he was in remission from B-cell lymphoma, and his illness could have had an impact on his decision to run. Senate terms are six years long, and it is difficult to know what his health will be like seven years from now, although he said there is a 90% chance he will not relapse.