On Tuesday, GOP Rep. Jeb Hensarling (known as Jeb! Hensarling in our hearts), announced he would not seek re-election to Texas's 5th Congressional District. Hensarling's seat, which stretches from the Dallas area into rural East Texas, backed Romney 65-34 and Trump 62-34, so the future GOP nominee should have little trouble holding this district. But Hensarling's departure does fit a pattern we've seen where senior congressional Republicans are looking for the exits after less than a year in Trump's D.C.
Hensarling, of course, didn't mention Trump in his retirement announcement. However, as the chair of the powerful House Financial Services Committee, Hensarling is a power player in Congress. Hensarling is termed-out as committee chair at the end of this Congress, but the eight-term Republican probably could have gotten another perch if he stuck around, and at only 60 years old, Hensarling could have stuck around a long time. It's possible that Hensarling is telling the truth and really has just decided he's spent too long in the House, but it's widely acknowledged that Trump is pushing more members to the exits.
Hensarling always coasted to victory in the primary with minimal opposition, but plenty of Republicans who haven't experienced life under Trump (or who may find life under Trump appealing) are likely to eye this seat now. About 40 percent of this seat is in Dallas County, with the balance located in smaller, rural areas. The Dallas portion is by far the bluest part of the seat, so rural candidates may have a big edge in a GOP primary over suburban Dallas politicians. If no one takes a majority in the first round of the primary, there will be a runoff.
