Utah Congressman Burgess Owens announced on Wednesday that he will not seek re-election in 2026, bringing an end to his tenure in Congress after three terms.
Owens, a former NFL Super Bowl champion, first burst onto the political scene in 2020 when he narrowly defeated Democrat Ben McAdams, flipping Utah’s 4th Congressional District for Republicans.
In astatement posted to X,Owens said he reached the decision after “prayer, reflection, and many long conversations.”
I wanted you to hear this directly from me.
After prayer, reflection, and many long conversations, I have decided that I will not seek reelection in 2026. I will complete this term fully committed to my work in Washington, DC, and then step away from elected office.
I began this political journey over six years ago with a simple question: Can I do more to advocate for our at-risk children?
That question led me into public service, with a focused passion on education where the cancer of hopelessness and training for “social advocacy” has taken hold in too many of our public schools. It was therefore an honor to introduce and sponsor landmark school choice legislation.
Core provisions of these efforts were enacted through the Working Families Tax Cut Act reconciliation package. I believe history will record this legislation as the most consequential education reform in modern times.
Added to this is my determination to end the evil of child labor and sex trafficking that is destroying our children’s innocence.
To that end, I am presently shepherding bipartisan, bicameral legislation through the House—the Preventing Child Trafficking Act. It would provide our children additional protection through better interagency coordination.
Source: The Gateway Pundit
