Georgia Republican U.S. Representative Barry Loudermilk will not seek reelection in 2026, ending his congressional tenure that began in 2015.

Loudermilk has been active in efforts to discredit Democratic-led investigations into the January 6 Capitol riot and faces past scrutiny from the House Jan. 6 committee for giving a tour of Capitol areas on January 5, 2021, which he denied as a smear campaign.

Despite scrutiny, he continued to lead or participate in subcommittees related to the Jan. 6 investigations.

During his time in Congress, Loudermilk chaired the Bartow County GOP, led a subcommittee on Jan. 6 investigations, and criticized former U.S. Representative Liz Cheney in a report related to the Jan. 6 committee activities.

Loudermilk cited a desire to spend more dedicated time with his family and to contribute to his community, state, and nation in other ways.

He described serving in Congress as a service, not a career, and emphasized wanting to focus more on family.

Loudermilk represents Georgia's 11th Congressional District, a northwest Atlanta-area district including Bartow, Gordon, and Pickens counties and parts of Cherokee and Cobb counties; Cook Political Report calls it one of the most strongly Republican districts in Georgia.

The 11th District is among several Georgia GOP-held seats changing hands in this cycle, underscoring a broader shift in the state.

Loudermilk's background includes Air Force service and leadership roles in the Bartow County Republican Party, plus service in the Georgia General Assembly prior to his congressional tenure.

Alongside Loudermilk, other Georgia Republicans are exiting or pursuing different offices in 2026, including Marjorie Taylor Greene and candidates like Buddy Carter and Mike Collins seeking the GOP Senate nomination.

The Loudermilk retirement comes amid a nationwide wave of House retirements and moves, with about 50 incumbents stepping down or seeking other offices in 2026.