U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth on Monday announced that he will seek a sixth term in office.
Yarmuth, a Democrat from Louisville, said announcing ahead of a formal filing would also help him raise funds should he have a serious Republican challenger in 2016. Even though he can’t officially file until later this year, he said it was important for him to clear the air before officially filing.
“Four years ago there were a lot of rumors that I wasn’t going to run,” he said, speaking at the Louisville campaign headquarters. “There are rumors out there again. I wanted to put them to rest.”
He said that was also motivated by his need to raise funds funds.
“I will be raising money,” Yarmuth said. “It would be good if I was asking people for money if they actually know that I am running for re-election.”
He said he hasn’t heard of any possible challengers, but he expects someone else may run. Yarmuth’s seat is currently in a safe Democratic district encompassing most of Louisville.
Yarmuth is part of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party and he said he will continue to champion immigration reform and campaign finance reform if re-elected.
