Virginia Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R) announced Thursday that he would retire rather than seek re-election in 2018. Goodlatte has represented Virginia's sixth congressional district for nearly 25 years, but said that with 2018 coinciding with the end of his chairmanship of the House Judiciary Committee, "this is a natural stepping-off point and an opportunity for me to begin a new chapter of my career." Goodlatte is but the latest Republican representative to announce he will retire rather than seek re-election in 2018, joining the likes of Rep.