On Saturday, CNN reported Rep. Ryan Costello, R-Pa., will confirm a prediction first made by Newsmax a week earlier. After two terms in Congress and at age 41, he will not seek re-election in 2018.
In becoming the 38th House Republican to retire, resign, or pursue another office, Costello gives Democrats what local sources tell us is a better-than-even chance to pick up one of the 25 seats they need to take control of the House this fall.
The White House, however, said it is “not concerned” about the most House Republicans leaving office since World War II.
Asked if the White House had any worries about the large exodus of Republicans from the House, Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told Newsmax last week “We’re not concerned. Right now, we think we’ve got a great story to tell after the first year of being in office, and we look forward to communicating that to the American people and continuing to push the President’s agenda.”
Pressed as to whether the president spoke to Costello and tried to talk him out of retirement, Sanders replied: “Certainly, he’s had conversations with a number of members. I can’t speak to this situation specifically and whether or not he’s spoken with the president.”
Costello’s exit from the race leaves little-known tax attorney Greg McCauley the lone candidate on the Republican primary ballot May 6. Democrats in the Chester County-based 6th District have united behind Chrissy Houlahan, businesswoman and retired U.S. Air Force officer.
The recent redistricting plan approved by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court makes the Sixth District considerably more Democratic than it was in ’16, when Costello won re-election with 57 percent of the vote.
John Gizzi is chief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax. For more of his reports, Go Here Now.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.