Texas Republican Rep. Jodey Arrington, chair of the House Budget Committee, announced he won’t seek re-election after a decade in Congress.
The Plainview native was first elected to represent the district in 2016 and has since won each re-election by wide margins. The district includes Lubbock and Abilene, as well as Big Spring and Plainview.
“After much prayer and deliberation, I believe it’s time to pass the torch to the next citizen-legislator from the Food, Fuel, and Fiber Capital of the World,"
Arrington said in a statement early Tuesday.
"It has always been my firm conviction that public service be a lifetime commitment, while public office a temporary stint in stewardship not a career."
Arrington received the U.S. endorsement barely one week before the announcement. President Donald Trump.
Due to Arrington's decision to not run for reelection, there is a large field for the U.S. Republican primary. House 19 seat prior to the primary on March 3. The registration period opened Saturday, Nov. 9.
Lubbock Democrat Kyle Rable already announced he filed to run in Democratic primary for the seat, filing for the race on Saturday, Nov. 9.
Arrington and his office were not immediately available for further comment, although his statement focused on his accomplishments.
Rable, secretary of the Lubbock County Democratic party, made a statement shortly after news of Arrington's future came out.
"Arrington clearly realized that the common person in West Texas is fed up with him and the Republican Party that has driven this region into back-breaking economic straits,"
Rable said.
“Regardless of whoever stumbles out of the Republican Party Primary in West Texas to continue the diligent work of stealing money from the working class, I will be ready to fearlessly defend West Texans who are ready for a change."
David Bruegel, chairman of the Lubbock County Republican party, released a statement expressing gratitude for Arrington's service.
How Arrington's retirement affects House Budget Committee leadership?
Texas Republican Representative Jodey Arrington's withdrawal will prompt a leadership change on the House Budget Committee, where he serves as president. His departure after a decade means the commission will need to elect a new speaker to lead one of the most influential panels responsible for shaping the civil budget and overseeing financial programs.
Arrington’s planned exit opens up a competitive race among House Republicans for the chairmanship. His term has been marked by backing significant budget conciliation and financial programs aligned with the Democratic docket, including reducing the public debt and advancing President Trump’s" One Big Beautiful Bill."
The change in leadership could lead to shifts in budget commission precedents depending on who's tagged president, though Republicans remain married to financial jingoism as stressed by Arrington.