Rep. Jodey Arrington Won’t Seek Re-election in 2026 After Nearly a Decade in Congress

WASHINGTON — House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, announced he will not seek re-election in 2026, ending a decade-long tenure in Congress.

Arrington, who has represented a heavily Republican district centered around Lubbock since 2017, said his decision stemmed from a belief that public service should be “a temporary stint in stewardship, not a career.”

“I have a firm conviction, much like our founders did, that public service is a lifetime commitment, but public office is and should be a temporary stint in stewardship, not a career,” Arrington said in an interview with Fox News Digital.

The West Texas lawmaker, who has chaired the House Budget Committee since January 2023, said he plans to finish his term focused on fiscal reform, including another budget reconciliation bill following what he described as President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.”

“It was a very unique, generational impact opportunity to be almost ten years into this and to have the budget chairmanship,” Arrington said. “It just seems like a good and right place to leave it.”

Arrington highlighted his efforts to raise awareness of rural America’s contributions to the economy, including energy independence and food security. “Raising the profile among urban and suburban members as to the unique challenges of rural America — that’s another thing I’m proud of,” he said.

Looking ahead, Arrington said he plans to seek “a new leadership challenge” outside of Congress that will allow him “to make the biggest difference on as many people as I can.” He added that he looks forward to spending more time with his wife and three children.

“I’m thankful that God called me and gave me the grace to succeed and to achieve the things that we’ve achieved,” Arrington said. “Did I make my share of mistakes? You bet. Did I learn along the way? You bet I did. But we left [the country] better than we found it, and it gives me great satisfaction.”

Arrington’s departure is not expected to shift the political makeup of his district, which has consistently voted Republican.