Republican who stepped in as acting Speaker when Kevin McCarthy was ousted WON’T seek re-election: Patrick McHenry joins exodus from Congress

Former acting Speaker Patrick McHenry will not seek re-election, along with 32 of his House colleagues who have said they will resign or retire during this tumultuous term in Congress.

“At the end of my current term, I will retire from Congress. This is not a decision I make lightly, but I believe there is a season for everything and – for me – this season has come to an end,” McHenry said in a statement.

The North Carolina Republican will conclude nearly two decades in Congress at the end of his term, rising through the ranks to become chairman of the Financial Services Committee and a close ally of former chairman Kevin McCarthy.

McHenry, along with McCarthy ally Rep. Garrett Graves, R-La., spearheaded negotiations with the White House to avoid debt defaults under the summer's debt cap deal.

Former acting Speaker Patrick McHenry will not seek re-election, along with 32 of his House colleagues who have said they will resign or retire during this tumultuous term in Congress.

After McCarthy was ousted from the top position in an unprecedented vote, McHenry took over and led the House through three frenzied, speakerless weeks of deciding who would take on the next job.

McHenry dismissed any suggestion that he would leave because of the unrest in the House and appeared optimistic about the future of the House.

“There has been a lot of hand-wringing and ink spilled over the future of this institution as some – like me – have decided to leave. Those concerns are exaggerated. I have seen a lot of change in twenty years. “I really feel like this institution is on the cusp of the next big thing,” he said.

“We have seen the House evolve over time. Evolutions are often lumpy and disjointed, but new leaders emerge at each stage. There are many smart and capable members left, and others are on their way. I am confident that the House is in good hands.”

The 48-year-old North Carolinian has three school-age children. His district is solidly Republican.

“I will retire from Congress at the end of my current term. This is not a decision I make lightly, but I believe there is a season for everything and – for me – this season has come to an end,” McHenry said in a statement.

The bowtie-wearing pragmatist is widely respected in both parties, although he has a solid conservative voting record. Democratic leaders had proposed giving McHenry the power to serve as longer-term speaker, though he rejected that idea, apparently more interested in policy than dealing with the free-wheeling conference's various personalities.

McHenry announced his own retirement as onlookers speculated about whether McCarthy will leave Congress. The former speaker has declined to say what his plans are in recent days, but he must file the paperwork by December 8.