Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer does not plan to seek reelection this year, a spokesperson said.

The Missouri Republican is one of the most senior and influential members of the House Financial Services Committee, where he chairs the national security subcommittee.

Luetkemeyer said his decision to retire came “after a lot of thoughtful discussion with my family.”

“Over the coming months, as I finish up my last term, I look forward to continuing to work with all my constituents on their myriad of issues as well as work on the many difficult and serious problems confronting our great country,” he said in a statement.

The lawmaker was first elected to the House in 2009, and has served in his current district since 2013. He will step down after his current term ends in January 2025.

Luetkemeyer had been a frontrunner in the race to replace retiring House Financial Services Chair Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) as the top Republican on the committee. His departure now clears the way for other contenders like Reps. French Hill (R-Ark.), Andy Barr (R-Ky.) and Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.).

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