FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks has announced his plan to step down later this spring, prompting statements from his colleagues acknowledging his contributions to the agency. His departure will shift the balance of the Commission, with Commissioner Anna Gomez becoming the ranking Democrat.
“I want to thank Commissioner Starks for his dedicated service to our country and his invaluable contributions to the FCC,” Gomez said. “His expertise on national security issues and his deep understanding of the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau have been instrumental in advancing the agency’s mission.” She added, “I wish him the very best in his future endeavors and look forward to our continued friendship.”
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr also praised Starks’s tenure, stating, “I want to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to my friend and colleague Commissioner Geoffrey Starks. He has had a tremendous run in public service.” Carr highlighted Starks’s leadership in national security initiatives and his role in bridging the digital divide. “Commissioner Starks put in the work and leaves an impressive legacy of accomplishments in public service. I always learned a lot from him and benefited from the many events we held together,” he said.
With Starks’s exit, an early Republican majority at the FCC could accelerate Carr’s deregulatory agenda, including potential changes to broadcast ownership limits. No statement has been issued by GOP Commissioner Nathan Simington regarding Starks’s resignation.
Starks has pledged to stay engaged with the FCC’s work over the coming weeks, collaborating with his colleagues to advance ongoing initiatives before his official departure. His resignation marks a pivotal moment for the Commission as it prepares for potential policy shifts in the months ahead.