Chairman of the House Budget Committee Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, speaks during a news conference unveiling the House Republican budget at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on September 19, 2023. On Tuesday, he announced he won’t seek re-election in 2026. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo
U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington, a Republican who represents a large swath of West Texas in Congress, announced Tuesday he won’t seek re-election in 2026.
He made the announcement in an appearance on Fox News. He followed that up with a video statement posted on X.
God Bless and Go West Texas! pic.twitter.com/YLI7gAvY0l— Jodey Arrington (@JodeyArrington) November 11, 2025
“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.
Arrington’s departure will come after serving 10 years in Congress. He represents the 19th Congressional District, one of the most conservative in Texas. It comprises all or part of more than 30 counties and includes the cities of Abilene and Lubbock.
He told Fox News he was proud of his work in “changing the narrative and culture” in Congress.
“I’m from a rural district and I can tell you, raising the profile among urban and suburban members as to the unique challenges of rural America and the unique contributions of rural America — like food security and energy independence and how much the nation depends on these plow boys and cowboys in rural areas — that’s another thing I’m proud of,” he said.
Arrington has served as chairman of the House Budget Committee since 2023 and it also a member of the Ways and Means Committee.
This week in Washington
President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media during a swearing in ceremony for Sergio Gor, the new U.S. Ambassador to India, in the Oval Office of the White House on Monday. Photo by Craig Hudson/UPI | License Photo
