Veteran Rep. Greg Walden Gregory (Greg) Paul WaldenOVERNIGHT ENERGY: House passes sweeping clean energy bill | Pebble Mine CEO resigns over secretly recorded comments about government officials | Corporations roll out climate goals amid growing pressure to deliver House passes sweeping clean energy bill Hillicon Valley: DOJ proposes tech liability shield reform to Congress | Treasury sanctions individuals, groups tied to Russian malign influence activities | House Republican introduces bill to set standards for self-driving cars MORE’s (R-Ore.) announcement Monday that he won’t seek reelection marked the latest sign of decreasing confidence among Republicans, even those with top committee posts, that the party can win back the House next year.

The Oregon lawmaker’s early departure suggests a growing number of Republicans aren’t certain there’s a viable path for flipping the House in 2020 — a scenario that would have handed Walden two more years as chairman of the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee. Walden, a former chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), served as head of the Energy and Commerce panel during the 2018 cycle.

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“This is obviously a sign of our inability to take the majority,” one House GOP lawmaker told The Hill after Walden’s announcement. “He’s a former NRCC chair, knows the district well, and I think people are also starting to surmise it’s either a Trump or Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenOvernight Defense: Appeals court revives House lawsuit against military funding for border wall | Dems push for limits on transferring military gear to police | Lawmakers ask for IG probe into Pentagon's use of COVID-19 funds On The Money: Half of states deplete funds for Trump's 0 unemployment expansion | EU appealing ruling in Apple tax case | House Democrats include more aid for airlines in coronavirus package Warren, Khanna request IG investigation into Pentagon's use of coronavirus funds MORE administration we’ll be working under — neither of which is very appealing for good members.”

A GOP energy lobbyist added: “It’s a heavy lift to get back the majority.”

Walden becomes the 21st Republican to forgo reelection, compared with just seven Democrats. He is also the fifth Republican in a senior committee role to announce retirement plans this cycle.

Other GOP ranking members calling it quits include Rep. Rob Bishop Robert (Rob) William BishopOVERNIGHT ENERGY: House passes sweeping clean energy bill | Pebble Mine CEO resigns over secretly recorded comments about government officials | Corporations roll out climate goals amid growing pressure to deliver House passes sweeping clean energy bill OVERNIGHT ENERGY: California seeks to sell only electric cars by 2035 | EPA threatens to close New York City office after Trump threats to 'anarchist' cities | House energy package sparks criticism from left and right MORE (Utah) of the Natural Resources Committee; and three Texans, Rep. Mike Conaway Kenneth (Mike) Michael ConawayBottom line House Republican introduces amendment to include farm aid in stopgap funding bill Live coverage: Democrats, Republicans seek to win PR battle in final House impeachment hearing MORE of the Agriculture Committee, Rep. Mac Thornberry William (Mac) McClellan ThornberryOvernight Defense: Appeals court revives House lawsuit against military funding for border wall | Dems push for limits on transferring military gear to police | Lawmakers ask for IG probe into Pentagon's use of COVID-19 funds Democrats push to limit transfer of military-grade gear to police Trump payroll-tax deferral for federal workers sparks backlash MORE of the Armed Services Committee and Rep. Kenny Marchant Kenny Ewell MarchantHouse Ethics panel recommends ,000 fine for Rep. Schweikert's campaign finance violations Candace Valenzuela wins Texas runoff to replace retiring Rep. Marchant Ethics Committee reviewing Rep. Sanford Bishop's campaign spending MORE of the Ethics Committee.

Walden, 62, was first elected to the House in 1998 after serving in the Oregon state House and Senate. He previously owned and operated multiple radio stations, leading some on Capitol Hill and K Street to speculate that he could succeed former Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) as president of the National Association of Broadcasters. But the group has denied there are any plans for Smith to step down soon, saying his contract runs until 2023.

“Greg’s career has been defined by success — as a committed local broadcaster, as a bipartisan political bridge builder, and as a brilliant legislator,” Smith said in a statement Monday. “Congress is a better place because of Greg Walden, and I’m certain he will make a positive difference in whatever path his future may hold.”

Walden won his reelection in 2018 by 17 percentage points, and his congressional seat — the only Republican-held House seat in Oregon — is expected to stay in GOP hands. In his retirement announcement, Walden pushed back on the suggestion that House Republicans have little chance at winning back the majority next year.

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“Based on recent polling, strong fundraising, and the backing of my wife and family, I am confident I could earn the support of 2nd District voters for another term,” Walden said. “I’m also optimistic that a path exists for Republicans to recapture a majority in the House, and that I could return for two more years as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.”

Walden said he will not seek any other office but will “close the public service chapter of my life.”

His announcement comes as Republican leaders argue that the House impeachment probe into President Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE is sure to put the House back in GOP hands.

“Make no mistake about it: Backing impeachment will cost the Democrats their majority in 2020,” NRCC Chairman Tom Emmer Thomas (Tom) Earl EmmerHouse Democrats' campaign arm reserves .6M in ads in competitive districts The Hill's Convention Report: Trump to attack Biden at final night of convention | Speech comes amid hurricane, racial justice protests | Biden accuses Trump of 'rooting' for violence Republicans cast Trump as best choice for women MORE (Minn.) said last month when Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiDemocratic senator to party: 'A little message discipline wouldn't kill us' Overnight Health Care: New wave of COVID-19 cases builds in US | Florida to lift all coronavirus restrictions on restaurants, bars | Trump stirs questions with 0 drug coupon plan Overnight Defense: Appeals court revives House lawsuit against military funding for border wall | Dems push for limits on transferring military gear to police | Lawmakers ask for IG probe into Pentagon's use of COVID-19 funds MORE (D-Calif.) announced the impeachment probe.

Walden served in Emmer’s role during the 2014 and 2016 election cycles. Republicans expanded their majority in both election years.

As chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, which has primary jurisdiction over health care issues, Walden played a key role in the GOP’s efforts to repeal and replace ObamaCare.

He led a 27-hour markup of a bill that would repeal and replace ObamaCare, and helped shepherd the measure through the GOP-controlled House. Repeal legislation later fell one vote short in the Senate.

The failure by Republicans to repeal the 2010 health care law — particularly during a unified GOP government — marked a bitter defeat for Walden and the party.

During his two decades in Congress, the affable Walden developed a reputation for civility and working across the aisle. He was instrumental in last year’s passage of bipartisan legislation aimed at combating the opioid epidemic, and he’s worked closely this year with Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. Frank Joseph PallonePharma execs say FDA will not lower standards for coronavirus vaccine Dem chairmen urge CMS to prevent nursing homes from seizing stimulus payments Federal watchdog finds cybersecurity vulnerabilities in FCC systems MORE (D-N.J.) on measures to end surprise medical billing and to stop abusive robocalls.

“The Energy and Commerce Committee has a proud tradition of bipartisanship, and during both his time as Chairman and Ranking Member, Greg has lived up to that tradition,” Pallone said in a statement on Monday.

Walden’s retirement sets off a race to succeed him as the top Republican on the influential panel. Former House Republican Conference Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers Cathy McMorris RodgersHillicon Valley: Trump backs potential Microsoft, TikTok deal, sets September deadline | House Republicans request classified TikTok briefing | Facebook labels manipulated Pelosi video Top House Republicans request classified TikTok briefing More than 100 lawmakers urge IRS to resolve stimulus payment issues MORE (R-Wash.) has already signaled she will make a bid for the job, GOP sources said.

Other Republicans more senior than McMorris Rodgers, including Reps. Michael Burgess Michael Clifton BurgessIgnore the misinformation: The FDA will ensure the safety of any COVID-19 vaccine House goes postal for one day GOP lawmaker calls asymptomatic testing crucial after CDC revises guidance MORE (Texas) and Bob Latta (Ohio), could also run. Minority Whip Steve Scalise Stephen (Steve) Joseph ScaliseGinsburg becomes the first woman to lie in state in the Capitol House GOP slated to unveil agenda ahead of election House panel details 'serious' concerns around Florida, Georgia, Texas, Wisconsin elections MORE (R-La.) is a senior member, but his office indicated he would not run because it would require him to step down from his No. 2 leadership post.

When asked who might replace him as the top Republican on the committee, Walden said it’s up in the air.

“We have top talent at the top tier, and we’ll see who runs for it,” Walden said. “I can’t say it’s always the senior person, as somebody who got elected over the senior person. And so you know it’ll be a fight, a competition.”