Former Republican Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (CA) announced Wednesday, December 6 that he would be leaving Congress at the end of the year. Writing in an op-ed in the pages of the Wall Street Journal, he described his achievements during his short tenure before dropping the surprise retirement news:

“It is in this spirit that I have decided to depart the House at the end of this year to serve America in new ways. I know my work is only getting started.

“I will continue to recruit our country’s best and brightest to run for elected office. The Republican Party is expanding every day, and I am committed to lending my experience to support the next generation of leaders.”

McCarthy has held numerous positions in the party since winning office in 2007. In January, after 15 ballots, he won the speakership. Just nine months later, the Sword of Damocles agreement he made with his party’s Freedom Caucus brought about his downfall. He was eventually replaced by Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana.

As one of the GOP’s big rainmakers, his absence could prove troublesome for funding in the 2024 elections.