Texas Rep. McCaul, Harris Co. Judge Hidalgo Announce 2026 Exits

Rep. Michael McCaul, a Republican representing Texas's 10th District and a leading figure in national security and foreign policy, announced he will not seek reelection after more than 20 years in Congress. Throughout his tenure, McCaul chaired the House Homeland Security and Foreign Affairs Committees, playing a key role in counterterrorism efforts and U.S. engagement in global conflicts, including support for Ukraine against Russian aggression. He cited a desire for a new challenge and expressed concern over increasing partisanship and declining civility in Washington, emphasizing the importance of bipartisan collaboration. McCaul remains a strong advocate for American global leadership and warns against isolationism, believing that abdication of U.S. leadership would weaken the country and empower adversaries like China and Russia. His retirement marks a significant shift as he plans to continue contributing to national security and foreign policy outside of Congress. McCaul's departure follows a trend of Texas Republicans stepping down, highlighting changing dynamics within the party and U.S. politics more broadly.