U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson, retiring after this year from Congress and who was thinking about seeking the Republican nomination for governor in 2018, has instead decided to return to teaching.
According to a statement issued Monday, May 2, Gibson, a retired U.S. Army colonel who’s been in the House of Representatives since 2011, has accepted a post as visiting professor at Williams College and expects to get more teaching jobs soon.
In his statement, Gibson noted that he and his family had traveled to 48 of the state’s 61 counties over the past months.
“The last year has also brought into greater clarity what our next steps should be as a family, Mary Jo and I have three teenagers who are in their last years at home,” the statement read. “In addition, I was just offered and accepted a position with Williams College as a Visiting Lecturer on Leadership beginning in February 2017, and anticipate accepting other academic positions shortly. Ultimately, for our family, the opportunity to spend increased time together balanced with a return to academia was one we could not pass up.”
According to the statement, he’ll be closing his exploratory committee and returning donations collected. He also pledged to “transition well” to the 19th New York Congressional District’s next representative. Democrats Zephyr Teachout and Will Yandik and Republicans Bob Bishop, John Faso and Andrew Heaney are all currently contending for that seat.
“I truly believe that this is an exceptional country and our best days are still in front of us,” the statement concluded. “Thank you for the opportunity to serve.”
Join the family! 
