Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-VA questions Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin during testimony before the House Financial Services Committee hearing
U.S. Representative Jennifer Wexton, a dedicated Virginia Democrat, made a poignant announcement on Monday that she will not be seeking reelection. This decision came in light of a sobering update from her medical team, which revised her diagnosis to a more severe condition she likened to “Parkinson’s disease on steroids.”
At the age of 55, Representative Wexton, who represents a suburban enclave in Northern Virginia near the nation’s capital, disclosed her intent to complete her current two-year term, which concludes in January 2025. However, she expressed her intention to redirect her focus towards spending quality time with her cherished family and friends, opting not to pursue another electoral campaign.
In April of a prior year, the congresswoman, then in her third term, had revealed her initial diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. She had pledged to continue her work while undergoing treatment for this ailment, which had already begun affecting her speech.
Regrettably, subsequent evaluations by her medical professionals led to an adjustment in her diagnosis to progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), as detailed in her statement on Monday. She described this condition as “a kind of Parkinson’s on steroids,” underlining the gravity of the situation.
In her own words, “I’ve always believed that honesty is the most important value in public service, so I want to be honest with you now. This new diagnosis is a tough one. There is no ‘getting better’ with PSP,” she declared, while announcing her deeply personal decision on Monday. She expressed profound sorrow over having to relinquish something she had held dear – her service to the public.
PSP is a neurological disorder characterized by its progressive nature, leading to impediments in body movements, particularly affecting walking, eye movement, and swallowing. It exhibits similarities to Parkinson’s disease but proves more resistant to treatment.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke elucidates the challenging reality surrounding PSP, noting that there is presently no effective treatment capable of halting or decelerating its progression. Moreover, symptoms typically do not respond favorably to medications.
Jennifer Wexton’s political journey garnered attention when she successfully turned a traditionally Republican-held seat in 2018, a shift that mirrored a broader trend as voters moved away from then-President Donald Trump.
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