Mann announces he will not seek reelection for Missouri House seat, citing mental health concerns

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

State Rep. Doug Mann (D-Columbia) announced in a Wednesday press release that he will not seek reelection for his seat next year.

The release states he will forgo a reelection bid “due to lingering mental health concerns.”

Mann has suffered from “chronic treatment-resistant depression for years,” according to the release. The release states he previously was able to keep his depression under control with medication and therapy, but treatments stopped working over the past several months.

He will serve out the remainder of his term. Mann was elected in 2022 after defeating  Republican James Musgraves by 1,379 votes. His term ends in 2025. The release states he will be working with nonprofits such as Big Brothers Big Sisters.

 “When I first ran in 2023, I did so because I wanted to ensure the people of the 50th District had a representative who put their needs first. I believe I accomplished that goal in my first year in the Missouri General Assembly, and I will faithfully carry out that duty in 2024,” Mann said in the release. “But after speaking with my doctors, my family and I do not believe it is responsible to myself or my constituents to add the pressures of a contested campaign to my legislative and professional duties during the upcoming year.”