More than two-dozen legislators — about 15 percent of the General Assembly — have either resigned months into the current session or said they won't seek re-election. They are Democrats and Republicans, rank-and-file moderates and those in leadership posts, including House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, who said last week that she's ending her nearly 40-year legislative career when her term expires.
Locally, State Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg, stepped down from his post in the 118th District on Sept. 1, citing health reasons. He was replaced by his cousin, Natalie Phelps Finnie, who is the daughter of former Congressman David Phelps.
It's an exodus that longtime Statehouse observers say is unusual not just for the high number of lawmakers leaving, but for the reasons many legislators are giving: frustration with not being able to reach compromises, the stress of the two-year budget impasse that only recently ended, year-round campaigning and a public that's grown more hostile and vocal.
"There is a toxic environment. People seem to not be able to get along, even outside of the Capitol," said retiring Republican state Rep. Steve Andersson. "That's not a good environment, and that's not an environment I want to be a part of."
Andersson received hate mail and even a death threat after he and about a dozen other Republicans broke with GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner to support a deal to end the budget stalemate that included an income tax increase. He also lost his position as the GOP's House floor leader. A short time later, he announced he isn't running again.
