U.S. Rep. Emerson resigns one month after reelection to head national co-op

Less than a month after cruising to a new term in Washington, Republican Jo Ann Emerson announced Monday she is leaving her southeastern Missouri congressional district and will lead the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Emerson said she plans to step down from Congress in February just after her next term begins and will be the president and CEO of the organization representing more than 900 private, not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives. She is expected to assume her new post March 1 and replaces an executive who announced his retirement earlier this year.

"I am not leaving Congress because I have lost my heart for service. To the contrary, I see a new way to serve," Emerson said. "I did not go seeking this opportunity, but I am excited about the new challenge it offers to find ways to promote strong rural policy."