Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R., Texas) announced Tuesday he will not seek another term in Congress in 2018, telling supporters he has "already stayed far longer than I had originally planned."
Hensarling, the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, was first elected to the House in 2002 and is described by the Dallas Morning News as a "staunch Constitutional conservative."
"Today I am announcing that I will not seek reelection to the US Congress in 2018. Although service in Congress remains the greatest privilege of my life, I never intended to make it a lifetime commitment, and I have already stayed far longer than I had originally planned," Hensarling wrote to supporters on Tuesday.
Confirmed: Confirmed: House Financial Services Chairman Jeb Hensarling is retiring.
— Abby Livingston (@TexasTribAbby) October 31, 2017
He added, "Since my term as Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee comes to an end next year, the time seems right for my departure. Although I will not be running for reelection, there are 14 months left in my congressional term to continue the fight for individual liberty, free enterprise, and limited constitutional government—the causes for which I remain passionate."
Hensarling's retirement announcement comes as Democrats look to 2018 as their best chance to take back the majority since losing the House in 2010.