WASHINGTON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Representative Mike Gallagher finished his time in Congress over the weekend.
He stayed an extra day so he could vote in the massive aid package legislation for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, which he voted in favor of. Then, he ultimately said goodbye to Congress.
Gallagher spent eight years serving Northeast Wisconsin’s 8th District. He resigned Saturday with an official statement as part of the Congressional Record through the Government Publishing Office.
In it, he said he was proud of his accomplishments and has no regrets legislatively or professionally. But he did have a lingering personal regret reflecting on his time in Congress.
“I wish I had devoted more time to building personal relationships with my colleagues,” he said, adding, where he was able to do that, “It produced the biggest legislative successes of my eight years.”
Related to that, he offered a lesson for his successor or any of his former colleagues, reminding them, “After a grueling day of a thousand meetings, still make the effort to get that beer with a member you don’t know that well.”
Another piece of advice from Gallagher was, “Drink more. Tweet less. Get to know your colleagues in real life before trashing them on social media.”
He left them with the final thought: “Even on our worst day the world is looking to us for leadership.”
Gallagher said he resigned his position not expecting to have to prioritize family first. But says he feels he left Congress while on top.
The 8th District seat will remain open until the November election.
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