> At a Glance
> – Nine Texas lawmakers are skipping 2026 re-election bids
> – Marc Veasey joins exodus after GOP redistricting targeted his seat
> – Committee chairs exit with Budget, Foreign Affairs gavel holders retiring
> – Why it matters: Texas will wield less power in Washington as seniority vanishes
Texas is about to trade Capitol Hill influence for rookie status. A stampede of retirements and resignations from the Lone Star State’s congressional delegation will strip away decades of seniority regardless of next year’s midterm outcome.
The Departing Heavyweights
Republicans and Democrats alike are heading for the exits. Marc Veasey, the senior Fort Worth Democrat, announced he won’t run again after GOP mapmakers redrew his district. His exit follows a redistricting fight that sparked two special sessions and still faces federal lawsuits.
Republicans losing gavels include:
- Jodey Arrington – stepping down as House Budget chair
- Michael McCaul – former Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security chair
Craig Goldman, a Fort Worth Republican, praised Veasey’s bipartisan record:
> “It certainly is a big loss for Tarrant County because he fought for issues that benefited his district. So I’m going to be sad to see him go, actually. He’s a good friend.”
Democratic strategist Matt Angle warned the impact stretches beyond one district:
> “Marc Veasey was a senior member in North Texas, the most effective member of that delegation because of his seniority.”
Why They’re Running
The exodus isn’t random. Lawmakers cite:
- Term limits for committee chairs
- Relentless partisan gridlock
- A paltry <40 bills passed into law this year
Ben Kamisar, NBC News national political reporter, summarized the mood:
> “When you think about the sort of dwindling of the ability to get things done and the sort of hypertension that exists in this new political world, all of that could be something that compels a member to reconsider whether they want to stick around.”
The Full Exit List
Beyond Veasey, Arrington, and McCaul, six more Texans are leaving:
- Jasmine Crockett – running for U.S. Senate
- Lloyd Doggett – retiring rather than face primary vs. Greg Casar
- Troy Nehls – retiring, endorsing his brother
- Wesley Hunt – launching U.S. Senate bid
- Morgan Luttrell – leaving after flood “moment of clarity”
- Chip Roy – running for Texas Attorney General
Another seven incumbents face serious primary or general-election threats in 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Texas is surrendering decades of accumulated House seniority in one cycle
- Committee chair retirements strip the state of direct budget and foreign-policy influence
- Redistricting battles accelerated Democratic departures
- Congress’s record-low output is pushing veteran members out nationwide
The next Texas delegation will feature more freshmen and fewer chairmen, shrinking the state’s clout at the exact moment major federal spending fights loom.
