Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) Retiring

hensarling retire
UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 10: From left, Reps. Fred Upton, R-Mich., Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., and Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, leave a meeting of the House Republican caucus in the Capitol where they discussed a possible plan to raise the debt ceiling. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

There was a political earthquake this afternoon in Washington, D.C., as representative Jeb Hensarling has announced he’s retiring. The Dallas-based rep. will not be running for re-election in 2018.

Hensarling wrote the following in a statement today: “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 is a darling of the conservative movement, and played a huge role in the push to end the Export-Import Bank just a few years ago. He chairs the powerful Financial Services Committee, and has a solid conservative rating from many right-leaning organizations.

Rep. Hensarling is just one of a handful of Republicans who won’t be running for re-election in 2018, including Bob Corker and Jeff Flake.

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan wished Hensarling well over Twitter:

Liberals, in their usual fashion, welcomed the announcement by spewing a bunch of hateful bile:

For shame.

What do you think about Hensarling retiring? Is this another bad sign for Republicans?

Jim E. is a true political insider, with experience working both in Washington and outside in real America. Jim... More about Jim E

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