Another House Republican is choosing to forgo reelection.
Missouri Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer announced on Thursday that he will leave Congress at the end of this term.
The congressman has represented eastern Missouri; including Columbia, Jefferson City and part of Greater St. Louis; since 2009. He currently serves as one of the most prominent members of the House Financial Services Committee.
According to Roll Call, He was considered the front-runner to chair the Financial Services Committee in the next Congress if Republicans retain their majority.
Luetkemeyer, 71, said he made the decision to retire after a period of self-reflection and confiding with his family.
“As I finish up my last term, I look forward to continuing to work with all my constituents on their myriad of issues as well as work on the many difficult and serious problems confronting our great country,” he said. “There is still a lot to do”:
Luetkemeyer's retirement could be a boon to Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., who is seen as another strong candidate to replace McHenry as the top Financial Services Republican. Hill hasn't yet said whether he will run for the position.
Reps. Bill Huizenga, R-Mich., and Andy Barr, R-Ky., are also thought to be in the mix to replace McHenry, who is also retiring at the end of this term. Both said previously they hadn't made a decision, but would keep their options open.
Luetkemeyer is the 18th House member, evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, to announce plans to retire after this term. Another 17 are seeking other offices and two have accepted other jobs and plan to resign. There are also two vacancies, from the resignation of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and the expulsion of Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y.
Luetkemeyer first arrived in the House in 2009. He brought to the Financial Services Committee his experience as bank examiner for the state of Missouri and later a loan officer and vice president at the Bank of St. Elizabeth, which was founded by his great-grandfather.
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