After deep self-reflection and prayer, I have decided not to seek reelection to the Florida House of Representatives.

The book of Ecclesiastes tells us that for everything there is a season, but so often in life the challenge is recognizing when the season changes. I have learned to listen to my gut when I experience restlessness or a sense that’s it time for a change. And now – as in the past – I’m going to trust my instincts. It’s time for me to step away, and I will leave political office the same way I entered it: with my integrity intact, my conscience clear, and my heart full.

It has been the honor of my life to receive the nomination from my friends and neighbors to stand as their representative in one of most powerful legislative chambers in the world. To the constituents who answered the door when I knocked, picked up the phone when I called, or gave freely of their time and money to help me: all I can say is thank you for trusting me with your vote. I’ve never lost the sense of reverence I felt the first time I walked into the House Chamber, and I’ve never taken for granted the gravity and impact that each vote cast has upon millions of Florida families. I have given 100% to the job you hired me to do, and I will continue to give maximum effort until my term expires in November.

To answer the question of what’s next: I have no idea. I have no aspirations to seek higher office, no golden parachute, no immediate plans for the future. Right now I intend to return to private life and live under the laws that I helped pass, just as the Framers intended. But you can rest assured that as a private citizen I will continue to advocate for common-sense conservative solutions to real-world problems, as I always have.

My sincerest regards,