Georgia GOP Rep. Barry Loudermilk Announces Retirement, Adding to Wave of House Exits

Georgia Republican Rep. Barry Loudermilk Announces Retirement After Six Terms in Congress

Republican Congressman Barry Loudermilk of Georgia announced Wednesday that he will not seek re-election to a seventh term, adding his name to a growing list of GOP lawmakers stepping away from Congress ahead of the upcoming election cycle.

In his retirement announcement, Loudermilk described his time in Congress as a “tremendous honor” while emphasizing his commitment to constitutional principles throughout his tenure representing Georgia’s 11th Congressional District, which covers portions of northwest Georgia.

“I first ran for election to Congress in 2014 and, as I stated then, representing the people in Congress is a service, not a career,” Loudermilk said in his statement. “Although I continue to have strong support from the people of the 11th Congressional District, I believe it is time to contribute to my community, state, and nation in other ways.”

Loudermilk, who serves as chairman of the House Administration Committee’s Oversight Subcommittee, described his decision as difficult but necessary. After extensive prayer and discussions with his wife, he concluded it was time to prioritize family.

“This is not an easy decision, but we believe it is the right one,” he explained. “While serving my constituents in Congress ranks among my greatest honors, being a husband, a father and a grandfather holds even greater importance to me, and at this time I wish to spend more dedicated time with my family.”

Loudermilk’s departure marks at least the 29th House Republican who has announced plans not to seek re-election in the current cycle. The wave of GOP retirements comes as the party holds a razor-thin majority in the House of Representatives, making every seat potentially crucial for control of the chamber.

The trend extends across the aisle as well, with 21 House Democrats also planning to leave Congress after their current terms expire. Political analysts attribute the high number of departures to several factors, including redistricting challenges, an accelerated primary calendar, and the increasingly nationalized nature of congressional campaigns.

Just last week, Florida Republican Vern Buchanan announced his retirement after two decades in Washington. The 74-year-old congressman said in his statement, “After 20 years of service, I believe it’s the right time to pass the torch and begin a new chapter in my life.”

Other notable Republican retirements include Florida’s Neal Dunn and Texas representatives Jodey Arrington and Troy Nehls, further complicating GOP efforts to maintain their slim House majority.

The wave of congressional departures comes at a particularly challenging time for House Republicans, who have seen their majority steadily erode since taking control in January 2023. The recent death of California Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa further narrowed their advantage, leaving little room for error in key votes.

Congressional retirements often accelerate in election years as lawmakers weigh the personal toll of campaigning against family considerations and future career options. For those in safe districts like Loudermilk’s heavily Republican 11th District of Georgia, retirement decisions can create opportunities for ambitious state legislators or local officials to move up to national office.

As Loudermilk prepares to depart Congress at the end of his term, he thanked his constituents for their trust and his staff for their service to the district, state, and nation. His Georgia seat will likely remain in Republican hands, though the growing number of open seats across the country adds another layer of unpredictability to an already contentious election cycle.