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Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), who made history as the first Speaker of the House to be ousted, announced he will be leaving the House at the end of the year.

In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, McCarthy expressed his intention to “serve America in new ways,” stating, “I know my work is only getting started.” He committed to continuing his efforts in recruiting “talented individuals” for elected positions and supporting the growth of the Republican Party. He added, “I never could have imagined the journey when I first threw my hat into the ring. I go knowing I left it all on the field—as always, with a smile on my face. And looking back, I wouldn’t have had it any other way.”

McCarthy’s departure follows his removal from the Speakership about two months ago, an event that marked the end of his brief tenure with the gavel. This led to widespread speculation about his political future, including whether he would seek reelection or complete his current term.

The announcement of his planned exit from the House came just days before the deadline for reelection filing in California. Last week, McCarthy described his decision-making process as a “gut call” during an interview at The New York Times DealBook summit.

Despite his retirement, McCarthy’s district is expected to remain Republican-controlled, with California’s 20th Congressional District strongly favoring former President Trump in the 2020 election. California Gov. Gavin Newsom will call for a special election within 14 days of McCarthy’s official departure, with the election set to occur within the following four to five months.