Texas Republican Rep. Will Hurd announced Thursday he will not seek another term in 2020, making him the latest GOP member of Congress to make such a declaration as the party’s future is suddenly in doubt even as it dominates two-and-a-half branches of government.

Hurd won a narrow re-election fight against Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones in 2018, edging her out by less than 1,000 votes. 

In a Twitter post in response to Hurd’s retirement, Jones said she was running again. 

“After years of serving our country, first in the CIA and then in Congress, I respect Congressman Hurd’s decision to serve in a new capacity,” tweeted Jones. “From San Antonio to Socorro and everywhere in between, Texans are ready for new leadership in Washington and I’m ready to serve.”

In retiring, Hurd had progressives wondering what Republicans know the rest of us don’t.

“Can’t stop thinking about the time my cat suddenly bolted across the house and dove under the couch two seconds before an earthquake hit,” tweeted New Republic writer Matt Ford of Hurd’s retirement. 

Hurd made the announcement on his Twitter page, saying he was leaving “in order to pursue opportunities outside the halls of Congress to solve problems at the nexus between technology and national security.”

As the only black Republican in the House, Hurd was often referred to as the “future of the GOP” by media outlets like Politico, which profiled Hurd in 2017. The magazine quoted former Texas GOP Chairman Tom Mechler as saying of Hurd that “The sky is the limit. This guy is incredible.”