U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster (R-FL), who has represented Florida’s 11th Congressional District since 2017, announced Tuesday that he will not be seeking re-election and will retire from public office at the conclusion of the current Congress.

In a press release posted on his congressional website, Webster described the decision as the result of “much prayerful consideration and discussion with my beloved wife Sandy.” He then confirmed that his political career will be coming to an end next January.

“After much prayerful consideration and discussion with my beloved wife Sandy, I have decided not to seek re-election to the United States House of Representatives. It has been an honor and privilege to represent my beloved state in the U.S. House of Representatives,” the congressman wrote.

“I’ve never taken for granted my responsibility to Florida’s hardworking taxpayers and families to advance common-sense reforms and principled policy. The time has come to pass the torch to the next conservative leader and spend more precious time with my wife, children and 24 grandchildren.”

Webster, 77, has served in elected office in Florida since the 1980s, including stints as speaker of the Florida House of Representatives and majority leader of the Florida Senate. As one of the Sunshine State’s longest serving officials, Webster has been credited with helping to return Florida’s Republican majority and solidify gains.

Webster highlighted several accomplishments in the release. He cited work to end government regulations that stifle job growth, improve investment in waterways, roadways and highways, and secure resources for the U.S. Coast Guard.

He also touted work on the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which ended certain depreciation schedules to aid small businesses, and backed inclusion of a Social Security income tax credit in last year’s Working Families Tax Cuts legislation. “I ran for office because I wanted to change public policy. Fighting to protect our freedoms, values, life and liberty; lower taxes; invest in our veterans and active-duty military, infrastructure and precious ecosystems has energized me every day. To have been part of the development and passage of some most significant legislation in our time is something I will forever treasure,” the congressman wrote.

Florida’s 11th Congressional District covers portions of Lake, Orange, Polk and Sumter counties in central Florida. According to the Cook Political Report, the district has a partisan voting index of R+8, meaning it performs eight percentage points more Republican than the national average based on the 2024 and 2020 presidential elections.

The Cook Political Report rates the 2026 race for the seat as Solid Republican.

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