ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) — U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington announced Tuesday morning that he will not seek re-election, saying it is time to “pass the torch” after serving West Texans in Congress since 2017.

“After much prayer and deliberation, I believe it’s time to pass the torch to the next citizen-legislator from the Food, Fuel, and Fiber Capital of the World,” Arrington said in a statement.

Arrington, who has represented Texas’ 19th Congressional District for nearly eight years, said his decision comes from a long-held belief that public office should never be a lifelong pursuit.

“It has always been my firm conviction that public service be a lifetime commitment, while public office a temporary stint in stewardship – not a career,” he said.

Reflecting on his tenure, Arrington called r

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