JUST IN: Another GOP Congressman Announces Retirement

On January 4, Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer of Missouri’s 3rd Congressional District announced his decision to retire at the end of his term in December 2024.

As the chair of the Financial Services Subcommittee on National Security, Luetkemeyer emerged as a top contender to replace Patrick McHenry (R-NC) in Congress and had previously indicated his desire for the role.

“It has been an honor to serve the great people of the Third Congressional District and State of Missouri these past several years. However, after a lot of thoughtful discussion with my family, I have decided to not file for re-election and retire at the end of my term in December,” Congressman Luetkemeyer said.

During his time in office, Luetkemeyer has been a prominent figure serving on various committees including the House Financial Services Committee and the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. Luetkemeyer is among over a dozen House Republicans who are choosing either to depart from the House or to pursue positions in higher office.

“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. There is still a lot to do,”

“As we tackle the many challenges we face, I hope we remember what someone once said, that ‘the greatness of our country is not found in the halls of Congress but in the hearts and homes of our people.’ That assessment is still true today. As we look to the future, I believe that if we work hard, stay together, and believe in ourselves our best days are indeed still ahead,” he finished.

His departure signals a moment of transition for the Republican Party. Missouri’s 3rd Congressional District is considered a solidly Republican district. This aligns with the historical voting patterns in the district. In the 2022 general election, the incumbent Luetkemeyer won with 65.1% of the vote​.