Six members of Texas’ Republican congressional delegation are choosing not to seek reelection as the GOP braces for the likelihood Democrats will regain control of the U.S. House next year.
Monday marked the end of Texas’ filing period for the March primary, and for some Republicans, potentially the end of public service. At least for now.
GOP U.S. Reps. Jodey Arrington of Lubbock, Morgan Luttrell of Magnolia, Michael McCaul of Austin and Troy Nehls of Richmond all decided not to pursue another term.
For a couple of other Republican House members, stepping away was for the purpose of seeking higher office.
San Antonio-Austin U.S. Rep. Chip Roy is running for Texas Attorney General as Ken Paxton gives up that office to pursue a primary run against U.S. Sen. John Cornyn. Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt of Houston is giving up his House seat to also run against Cornyn.
But, for the rest, ambition to serve in a higher office isn’t a motivation for leaving Washington.
Some likely see the writing on the wall as Trump’s approval rating dips to 36% and Republicans grapple with the real possibility they’ll lose control of Congress, political observers told the Houston Chronicle.
“The prospects in the midterms are probably No. 1 for a lot of these guys,” Brendan Steinhauser, a Republican strategist in Austin, told the newspaper. “It’s mostly not wanting to be in the minority. I think that’s real.”
The Texas departures are a part of a larger trend. So far, 23 congressional Republicans nationwide have said they won’t seek reelection, The Hill reported last week.
That doesn’t yet meet the number of departures during the 2018 midterms, when 34 Republicans abandoned ship during Trump’s first term. However, with some states yet to reach their filing deadline, observers predict the number will grow.
“Ultimately, the number of Republican retirements that we see compared to 2018 — I would imagine it would be close to the same number when all is said and done,” Erin Covey, editor at the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, told The Hill.
The departures also mean the Texas delegation will lose some of its clout in the House.
Arrington chaired the House Budget Committee, for example, and Roy was an outspoken member of the influential Freedom Caucus. McCaul was also a powerful voice as an 11-term congressman and the former chair of the House’s Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security committees.
Others were just beginning their careers in office, such as Luttrell, a sophomore lawmaker, and Nehls, who was only in his third term.
Luttrell said visiting Kerrville following its devastating floods marked a turning point. “It reminded me that while the work in Washington is important, my family, my community, and my state need me here — closer to home,” he said in a September statement.
However, Luttrell — who represents a solidly red district to the northwest of Houston — told the Texas Tribune he doesn’t see his decision as stepping away.
“I’m not walking away from service, and I’m certainly not walking away from the fight,” Luttrell said. “I’m choosing a different path — one that allows me to stay rooted in Texas and focus on the people and places that matter most.”
In a Thanksgiving weekend social media post, Nehls also announced he was leaving Washington to “focus on family.”
However, critics on social media were quick to point out that Nehls, who counts President Trump as a “true friend,” is under investigation by the House Investigative Committee over alleged misuse of campaign funds.
A former Fort Bend County Sheriff, Nehls endorsed his brother Trevor Nehls to take over representing his district.
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