Texas Republican Congressman Michael McCaul announced on Sunday that he will not seek re-election in 2026, marking a significant shift in the political landscape. McCaul, who has previously served as the chairman of both the Homeland Security and Foreign Affairs committees, joins fellow House Republicans in announcing his retirement this year, including Rep. Morgan Luttrell from Texas and Rep. Don Bacon from Nebraska.
First elected to Congress in 2004, McCaul is currently serving his 11th term and expressed his desire for “a new challenge” during an interview on ABC's “This Week” with co-anchor Martha Raddatz. He reflected on his extensive career, stating, “It's been an honor to serve for over two decades in Congress.” McCaul plans to fulfill the remainder of his term, emphasizing his commitment to national security and foreign policy. “I want to continue to serve the people in this country by making America stronger and the world safer,” he added.
McCaul's congressional district, which includes parts of Austin and stretches east to the suburbs of Houston, is known for its strong Republican leanings. In the 2024 elections, he successfully defeated his Democratic opponent by a substantial margin of nearly 30 points. Recently, Texas Republicans redrew their congressional maps, aiming to secure five additional GOP-leaning seats in the upcoming midterms, which slightly altered the dynamics of McCaul’s district. Under the previous congressional map, 61.6% of the district's population voted for President Donald Trump, a figure that dropped to 60.5% under the newly drawn lines, according to the Texas Legislative Council.
In addition to his announcement about re-election, McCaul, who is a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, addressed the recent incursion of Russian drones into NATO ally Poland. He dismissed Trump's claim that the violation of Polish airspace might have been unintentional, stating, “With all deference to the president, I don't think that was a mistake. I think Putin is testing the resolve of NATO.”
Furthermore, McCaul critiqued Israel's recent military actions against Hamas leadership in Qatar. He stated, “We asked them to negotiate these discussions with Hamas, and then this shot across the bow, I don't think serves the interests of the United States or Israel well, long term,” highlighting the complexities and implications of international relations.
This announcement and the surrounding developments represent a significant moment in Texas politics. As McCaul prepares for his final term, the implications of these changes will be closely monitored. Stay tuned for updates as this story continues to develop.
