Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) Retiring

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.

NBC News confirms that Republican Rep. Jeb Hensarling of Texas is retiring. One more Republican will not run for re-election in 2018.

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) October 31, 2017

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

.@RepHensarling is a true constitutional conservative who has fought tirelessly for all Americans as chairman of @FinancialCmte. pic.twitter.com/bJxkRqkDp8

— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) October 31, 2017

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

Drop dead you spineless coward

— bb stan (@bbneda_stan) October 31, 2017

when will you stand up to Trump? what about your oath of office? he is corrupt and ignoring the real issues that matter to americans!

— Questions Raised (@RaisesQuestions) October 31, 2017

Jeb Hensarling loves $$ from predatory payday lenders.

— Flabbergasted (@BootsCastle) October 31, 2017

For shame.

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