AUSTIN, Texas — Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, has announced retirement from Congress effective when his term ends.
Doggett has represented Texas in the House of Representatives since 1995, going through four district changes. With the U.S. Supreme Court decision approving Texas’ redistricted maps, which are favorable to the GOP, Doggett has kept his promise of retiring after 2026.
In a post on X, Doggett said he was thankful for his tenure as a congressman and for the people in his district. He said he’s ready to continue the remainder of his term.
“I will continue working with the same urgency and determination as if next year were my last, which in public office it will be,” Doggett said. “After that, I will seek new ways to join my neighbors in making a difference in the only town I have ever called home.”
Doggett was critical of the Supreme Court’s decision, particularly of Justice Elena Kagan, as he stated in his post.
“In her strong dissent, Justice Kagan has shown the failings of a Supreme Court, which has done so much harm,” Doggett said. “What all of us must do now is redouble our efforts to ensure that the failings in our country brought on by Trump and his enablers do not consume our democracy, replacing it with autocracy.”
Doggett was also critical of President Donald Trump’s endorsement of redistricting the state in his post.
“Trump’s racial gerrymandering is only his first major shenanigan designed to win next year’s election and retain a House that poses no restraint to his dangerous whims and incessant drive for unlimited power,” Doggett said. “More outrageous schemes will follow.”
A lower court had previously blocked the map, ruling that it likely discriminates on the basis of race.
Doggett’s term in Congress will end on Jan. 3, 2027. There has been no announcement of a hopeful Democratic candidate to take his place.