Representative Morgan Luttrell, Republican of Texas, announced Thursday that he will not seek reelection after two terms in the House, saying he intends to continue serving but on a path more rooted in his home state.
“When I first ran for Congress, my mission was clear: strengthen our border, stand up for our veterans, and be a strong voice for Texas. I’m proud of the real progress we’ve made,” Mr. Luttrell said in a statement shared on the social platform X.
The former Navy SEAL, who represents Texas’s deeply conservative 8th Congressional District, framed his decision as one grounded in faith, family, and community. “But over the July 4th weekend, standing in floodwaters alongside my neighbors, I had a moment of clarity,” he said. “It reminded me that while the work in Washington is important, my family, my community, and my state need me here – closer to home.”
Mr. Luttrell, elected in 2022 on a platform of border security and support for veterans, emphasized that he is not stepping away from public service altogether. Instead, he said, “I’m choosing a different path – one that allows me to stay rooted in Texas and focus on the people and places that matter most.”
He added that he will fulfill his current term before leaving office at the end of 2026. “Texas is where I belong – and it’s where I can do the most good,” Mr. Luttrell said.
A decorated combat veteran, Mr. Luttrell brought his military background to Washington, aligning with House Republicans on national security and immigration.
His record includes consistent advocacy for stronger border protections and expanded support for those who served in uniform — issues that resonate deeply in Texas.
New: U.S. Rep. Morgan Luttrell announced Thursday he will not be seeking reelection to represent the 8th Congressional District. https://t.co/aOSKa6dZUX
— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) September 11, 2025
His electoral record underscored the strength of conservative politics in his district. Last November, Mr. Luttrell secured reelection by a resounding 37-point margin over his Democratic challenger.
Analysts widely expect his seat to remain safely Republican under newly approved congressional maps, which the Texas Tribune has noted are poised to yield five additional GOP seats by reshaping Democrat-held districts.
The 8th District, which stretches across suburban and rural communities north of Houston, is among the most reliably Republican in the state.
President Donald J. Trump carried the old version of the district by roughly 34 points; under the new lines, he would have still won comfortably by about 28 points.
Mr. Luttrell’s departure, while unexpected, will not likely alter the partisan balance in Texas. But it highlights a growing trend among lawmakers who, after serving in Washington, find the pull of local service and community life more compelling than the daily battles of Congress.
For Mr. Luttrell, the message was clear: his time in Washington advanced conservative priorities, but his heart remains in Texas. By closing this chapter, he underscored a theme familiar to many in his party — that true service does not end in the halls of Congress, but begins at home.
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