Republican lawmaker's early retirement rumors send shockwaves through House GOP

House GOP rep pushes to end government shutdown amid Democratic opposition to DHS funding

Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., discusses the ongoing government shutdown and the debate over DHS funding on ‘America’s Newsroom.’

Rumors of one House GOP lawmaker's potential early retirement are sending shockwaves through Republicans' razor-thin majority in Congress.

Fox News Digital was told on Wednesday that lawmakers believe Rep. Neal Dunn, R-Fla., is considering not serving out the remainder of his term in the House of Representatives before his planned retirement at the end of 2026, and that he was discussing the matter with House leadership.

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., deferred to Dunn when asked about his plans but said he urged the Florida Republican to stay in Congress.

REPUBLICANS TRY TO QUASH CONCERNS OF MORE EXITS FOLLOWING MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE'S SURPRISE RESIGNATION

Rep. Neal Dunn, R-Fla., arrives at the Rayburn House Office Building on Nov. 2, 2023. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

"He is a beloved member of Congress and a great man. And, you know, he's informed us he's not going to run for re-election. And what he does from here forward, I'm not sure," Johnson told reporters.

"You need to ask him about it. But I've encouraged him to stay and be part of this, and I think he wants to do that. And so you have to ask him all the circumstances."

Dunn told reporters he had "no comment" on the matter that same day, according to CNN.

Another Republican departure before the March special election to fill the seat abruptly vacated by former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., would see the House margin fall to 217 to 214.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., pauses for questions from reporters as he arrives for an early closed-door Republican Conference meeting on how to end the partial government shutdown and deal with demands over immigration enforcement operations, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)

JOHNSON WARNS HOUSE REPUBLICANS TO ‘STAY HEALTHY’ AS GOP MAJORITY SHRINKS TO THE EDGE

It would mean that Johnson would be dealing with a one-seat margin of error likely until August, when California Gov. Gavin Newsom has scheduled the special election to replace late Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif.

Dunn announced last month that he would not seek re-election after serving in Congress for nearly a decade.

A crowded primary election is forming in his wake, a scramble that could be accelerated by Dunn's possible early retirement.

Special primary elections in Florida generally take place 120 to 130 days after an early departure from the House of Representatives, with a general election likely 70 to 80 days after that. 

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, holds a press conference to speak in opposition to Amendment 4, which would limit government interference with abortion in Florida at The Grove Bible Chapel in Winter Garden, Fla. (Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Fox News Digital was told that House lawmakers are conversing with Gov. Ron DeSantis' office about the timing of a possible special election for Dunn, and whether Florida election law would allow for him to remain in office until after a primary election concludes.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

But Fox News Digital was also told that lawmakers do not believe it's likely that Dunn will leave his seat early if that possibility does not pan out.

Both Dunn and DeSantis' offices did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital leading coverage of the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.

Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to [email protected]