Luetkemeyer Retirement Upends 2025 Race for House Committee Top GOP Member

Luetkemeyer had been mentioned as possible candidate for House Financial Services chairmanship

In a move that shakes up the race for the lead Republican on the House Financial Services Committee, Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-Mo., announced last week that he will not run for reelection this year.

Luetkemeyer gave no reason for his retirement from the seat he has held since 2009. He said he made the decision after “a lot of thoughtful discussion with my family.”

Luetkemeyer, a former community banker and bank examiner, was a reliable vote for financial services groups seeking to block proposals from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. He also supported legislation that would convert the bureau into a commission.

Consumer groups on the other hand, often accused the former community banker of supporting anti-consumer legislation.

Following the announcement, America’s Credit Unions President/CEO Jim Nussle said, "Rep. Luetkemeyer has been a dedicated public servant who has prioritized the needs of financial institutions, small businesses, and communities in his legislative efforts.”

Luetkemeyer’s retirement adds even more intrigue into the race for the top Republican spot on the Financial Services Committee. Current Chairman Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., also has announced he will not run for reelection.

Three House Republicans are considered candidates for the top Republican spot on the panel.

Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., who now serves as the Financial Services Committee’s vice chairman and as the chairman of the Digital Assets, Financial Technology, and Inclusion Subcommittee, is a likely candidate. Earlier in his career, Hill served as the president/CEO of the Delta Trust & Banking Corporation in his home state.

Hill, during a committee hearing last year, raised questions about the practice of credit unions purchasing banks, so he might cause some problems for credit unions if he becomes the top Republican.

Another possible candidate, Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Mich., serves as the chairman of the panel’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee. He is the co-owner of his family’s gravel company.

Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., chairman of the committee’s Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy Subcommittee also has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the committee’s top spot. He is an attorney.