Wexton was initially diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in April.

Wexton, 54, issued a press release on Monday announcing that her doctors had changed her diagnosis from Parkinson's Disease to Progressive Supra-nuclear Palsy.

The Democrat congresswoman said that she "knew that the road ahead would have its challenges" after sharing her initial diagnosis in April and that she's been navigating "those challenges through consistent treatments and therapies."

"But I wasn't making the progress to manage my symptoms that I had hoped, and I noticed the women in my Parkinson's support group weren't having the same experience that I was," Wexton said.

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The Virginia congresswoman said there is "no 'getting better' with PSP" and that she plans to "continue treatment options" to keep her symptoms in check, but added the treatments "don't work as well" with her new diagnosis as they did for her Parkinson's diagnosis.

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Wexton said that her retirement "was clearly not the way" she anticipated it when she decided to run for Congress and that she "will forever cherish the people from our communities and all around the country" she has gotten to know as well as the challenges they have faced and the way she has made a difference in her community.

"While my time in Congress will soon come to a close, I'm just as confident and committed as ever to keep up the work that got me into this fight in the first place for my remaining time in office - to help build the future we want for our children. I am truly humbled by the trust Virginians have placed in me, and I look forward to continuing to serve the people of our district."

Wexton first took office in 2019 after defeating then-incumbent GOP Rep. Barbara Comstock of Virginia for her House seat. She defended that seat in 2022 against Republican candidate Hung Cao by 53% of the vote.

The Democratic congresswoman said that her initial Parkinson's diagnosis primarily affected her speech.

"If there's one thing that Democrats and Republicans can agree on, it's that Parkinson's disease sucks," the representative said at the time.

"You may notice I speak more quickly now. It also has affected how I walk and keep my balance," she said.

"I'm doing well," Wexton said. "I've got a positive attitude, and I've got the strong support of so many family, friends and loved ones."

Wexton's retirement opens up a purple district that Republicans and Democrats alike will be looking to hold.

Fox News Digital's Timothy H.J. Nerozzi contributed reporting.

Virginia Democrat Representative Jennifer Wexton announced on Monday that she would not be seeking re-election after being diagnosed with Progressive Supra-nuclear Palsy (PSP), an intensified form of Parkinson's Disease. Wexton, who was initially diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in April, expressed that her doctors had changed her diagnosis to PSP, a neurological disorder that affects eye movements, body movements, walking, and balance. The 54-year-old congresswoman stated that she had been navigating the challenges of her initial diagnosis through consistent treatments and therapies, but noticed that her symptoms were not improving as she had hoped. Additionally, she observed that the women in her Parkinson's support group were not experiencing the same symptoms as her. Seeking additional medical opinions and testing, Wexton's doctors modified her diagnosis to PSP, which she described as "Parkinson's on steroids."

Wexton emphasized that there is no "getting better" with PSP and acknowledged that the treatments she has been using for Parkinson's Disease may not work as effectively for her new diagnosis. Despite her disappointment and heartbreak, Wexton made the decision not to seek re-election once her term is complete, opting instead to spend more time with her family and loved ones. She expressed gratitude for the trust placed in her by the people of Virginia and her commitment to continuing the work that inspired her political career.

Wexton, who first took office in 2019 after defeating Republican incumbent Barbara Comstock, defended her seat in 2022, winning 53% of the vote against Republican candidate Hung Cao. ..... 

Progressive Supra-nuclear Palsy significantly affects Wexton's eye movements, body movements, walking, and balance. The modified diagnosis has more immediate implications than Parkinson's Disease, necessitating continued treatment options to manage her symptoms. Despite the challenges ahead, Wexton maintains a positive attitude and the support of her family, friends, and loved ones.

Before entering Congress, Wexton had a diverse professional background as a prosecutor, attorney, and state senator. She was elected to Congress in 2018 during the Democratic Party's takeover of the House under former President Donald Trump's administration. Wexton serves on the House Appropriations Committee and has been actively involved in bipartisan efforts to expand opioid addiction research.

The retirement of Jennifer Wexton will undoubtedly draw attention from both Republicans and Democrats as they vie for control of the purple district she currently represents.

U.S. Representative Jennifer Wexton, a Virginia Democrat, on Monday said she wouldn't seek reelection after doctors updated her diagnosis to a more serious condition, which she likened to "Parkinson's (disease) on steroids."

The 55-year-old congresswoman, who represents a suburban area of Northern Virginia near Washington, said she would serve out her current two-year term, which ends in January 2025, but would spend time with her family and friends instead of running again.

The third-term congresswoman announced in April that she had been diagnosed with Parkinson's but would continue to work while being treated for the disease, which was affecting her speech.

But after finding the treatment wasn't as effective as had been hoped, doctors updated her diagnosis to progressive supra-nuclear palsy (PSP), she said in a statement on Monday, calling the condition "a kind of Parkinson's on steroids."

 ..... There is no 'getting better' with PSP," she said, announcing her decision on Monday. ..... 

Wexton flipped a seat held by Republicans for decades in 2018 as voters veered away from then-President Donald Trump.