A congressman for almost eight years, Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, has decided to remain in that chamber of Congress, announcing his re-election bid for the House, while forgoing a possible run for U.S. Senate.

McCaul cited his role and work on the Homeland Security Committee as a reason to remain in the House.

“While I am honored and humbled by the outpouring of support for me to join the race to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate, I have decided after long and careful consideration that I can best serve Texas and the American people through my experience in national security and foreign policy; and through my seniority on the Homeland Security Committee,” McCaul said in a statement. “My work in the Congress is not yet finished. I will run for re-election to continue to represent the 10th Congressional District of Texas. I will continue my efforts to ensure the safety of our homeland and the security of our borders and will continue to work tirelessly to reform Washington, cut spending and reduce the size of government.”

McCaul’s decision leaves Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and the former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz as the leading candidates, according to recent polls, to replace the outgoing Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Dallas. Hutchison is retiring at the end of her term.

McCaul is a former federal prosecutor and counterterrorism expert. He was also a deputy under Sen. John Cornyn when Cornyn served as the Texas Attorney General.

He has a formidable war chest, having raised $7.7 million in his time as a Congressman. So far, no one has announced their intention to face McCaul, in either the March Republican primary or the November general election.

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