Several prominent members of Congress from Texas are retiring at the end of this year, in what could fundamentally reshape the makeup of Capitol Hill and the tenure of lawmakers from the Lone Star State.
Just a few months ago, four-term Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) was a few votes shy of being elected majority leader of the Senate. Now, he’s headed for the exit after losing a bruising GOP primary to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who garnered President Donald Trump’s endorsement.
Cornyn’s departure means Texas could likely lose sway in the Senate. Although not a committee chairman, Cornyn is popular among senators from both parties and is a former GOP whip. Cornyn also holds a seat on the powerful Senate Finance Committee, which is responsible for tax policy and other fiscal matters.
The Texas senator has also been at the center of bipartisan dealmaking, including a 2022 gun control bill that became an issue in his primary this year.
Cornyn is far from the only veteran Texas lawmaker leaving Washington. Several senior members of the state’s sprawling 38-member House delegation are also retiring, taking with them years of institutional knowledge, committee seniority, and influence over policy areas critical to Texas.
For instance, Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX), who was instrumental in helping pass Trump’s signature tax cuts last year. Arrington also serves on the tax writing House Ways and Means Committee.
Also quitting from the Ways and Means Committee is Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), who is the top Democrat on the panel’s health subcommittee. Doggett has served in the House since 1995, and decided to retire rather than face Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX) in a primary after their seats were drawn together by mid-decade redistricting.
Some of the departures reflect the ambitions and volatility of Texas Republicans in the Trump era.
Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX), one of the first black Republicans elected to Congress from Texas, abandoned his House seat to launch a Senate campaign against Paxton and Cornyn. Hunt failed to secure enough support to advance to the May runoff.
Meanwhile, Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) became one of the most recognizable conservative fighters in Congress during his time on Capitol Hill. That influence was not enough to win the Republican nomination for Texas attorney general, however. Roy lost that contest to state Sen. Mayes Middleton in a runoff on Tuesday.
Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) was also ousted in a GOP primary in March. A one time GOP star, Crenshaw fell afoul of the MAGA movement and lost renomination to state Rep. Steve Toth.
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Another longtime Texas Democrat also recently lost his seat in a primary. Rep. Al Green (D-TX) was defeated by Rep. Christian Menefee (D-TX) in Tuesday’s runoff after their districts were drawn together via mid-decade redistricting.
Green, 78, has served in the House since 2005 and has become known for his long floor speeches and attempts to impeach Trump. Last year, Green was ejected from Trump’s address to Congress after repeatedly interrupting and waving his cane at the president. The antic saw Green get censured by the House of Representatives.