WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Bob Goodlatte, who leads the House Judiciary Committee, announced Thursday he will retire at the end of his 13th term, becoming the latest GOP chairman not to seek re-election even though Republicans control all levers of power in Washington.

Goodlatte's tenure as chairman ends in December 2018 due to term limits. In a statement, the Virginia lawmaker described that as the "natural stepping-off point" and a chance to begin a new chapter. He said that every two years, he and his wife, Maryellen, sit down to discuss whether he should run again.

"When we discussed the 2018 election, the conversation ended a little differently than in past years," Goodlatte said. "After much contemplation and prayer, we decided it was the right time for me to step aside and let someone else serve" in the western Virginia district that includes Roanoke and is strongly Republican.

+4 Cynthia Dunbar, Ben Cline to seek Republican nod for 6th District seat Two Republicans have announced plans to seek Virginia’s 6th Congressional District seat after U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte announced his retirement Thursday.

Following Goodlatte's announcement, Republican National Committee member Cynthia Dunbar said she would run for the seat. Dunbar is an outspoken conservative and former Texas Board of Education member who advocated that intelligent design and other theories be taught alongside evolution in science classes.

Virginia Del. Ben Cline, leader of the state's conservative caucus, also said he would run.