Top House Armed Services Republican Mac Thornberry won't seek reelection


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By CONNOR O’BRIEN
09/30/2019 11:23 AM EDT

Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) announced on Monday that he won’t seek reelection in 2020, marking yet another high-profile retirement for House Republicans.

As the top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, Thornberry was a vocal supporter of efforts to boost military spending and helped win major increases in the defense budget under President Donald Trump.

"It has been a great honor to serve the people of the 13th District of Texas as their congressman for the last 25 years," Thornberry said in a statement.

"They have given me opportunities to serve the nation in ways I could have never imagined, including as Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.

"We are reminded, however, that 'for everything there is a season,' and I believe that the time has come for a change," he added. "Therefore, I will not be a candidate for reelection in the 2020 election."

Thornberry's announcement caps off months of speculation about the Texas Republican's political future.

The 13-term lawmaker’s retirement adds to a growing list of Republican departures.

Already, three other House Armed Services Republicans — Reps. Rob Bishop of Utah, Mike Conaway of Texas and Paul Mitchell of Michigan — have opted to retire.

Another Texan, Rep. Will Hurd — the only black House Republican — made waves when he announced his decision not to seek reelection after just three terms.

https://www.politico.com/news/2019/0...lection-011926