Rep. Bill Flores became the fifth Texas Republican this term to announce he will not seek reelection as a growing number of longtime GOP incumbents heading for the exits in 2020. While his solidly Republican district is not as likely to flip as several other districts are, the decision could indicate a lack of optimism about his party's chances of regaining a majority in the next Congress.
Flores was first elected in the 2010 Republican landslide as part of the new majority. He advocated for elimination of environmental regulations, opposed aid for Superstorm Sandy victims (while supporting emergency funding for his own constituents), and called the Affordable Care Act a “violation of our constitutional liberties.” He served a term as chairman of the Republican Study Committee, a group of House conservatives who work to pull their party to the right.
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