U.S. Representative Michael McCaul (R) has announced that he will not be running for reelection in 2026, bringing his more than two-decade tenure in Congress to a close. McCaul has represented Texas's 10th Congressional District since 2005.
McCaul has been a central Republican figure in foreign policy, serving as chair of the House Homeland Security Committee from 2013 to 2019 and chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee from 2023 until earlier this year.
In a social media post, McCaul expressed the privilege he felt in representing the people of his district, and the inspiration he drew from his father, a World War II veteran.
It has been the honor of a lifetime to represent the people of central Texas and to chair the prestigious Homeland Security and Foreign Affairs Committees. My father’s service in World War II inspired me to pursue a life of public service, with a focus on defending our great… https://t.co/jDdvES0UaQ
— Michael McCaul (@RepMcCaul) September 14, 2025
"It has been an honor of a lifetime to represent the people of central Texas and to chair the prestigious Homeland Security and Foreign Affairs Committees," McCaul said. "My father's service in World War II inspired me to pursue a life of public service, with a focus on defending our great nation against global threats, and I have been proud to carry out that mission in Congress for more tha two decades."
McCaul plans to serve out the remainder of his term, and he is searching for a "new challenge."
"I am ready for a new challenge in 2027 and look forward to continuing to serve my county in the national security and foreign policy realm," he said.
McCaul's decision marks the end of a significant era of Texas representation on national security and foreign policy in the House. His retirement opens the door for new leadership in Texas's 10th Congressional District as the 2026 elections approach.
