Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, announced late Thursday that he will not seek re-election in 2024.

The deeply conservative former podiatric surgeon took office in January 2013 and is now in his sixth term representing southern Ohio.

Wenstrup serves on the powerful Ways and Means Committee and chairs the House Select Committee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, in which he is leading an inquiry into the virus’ origins and the government’s response.

“This work will help our nation predict, prepare for and possibly prevent the next pandemic. As you can see, I won’t stroll through the remainder of my term. I’ll run through the tape,” Wenstrup said in the video announcing his retirement.

Wenstrup rose to the national spotlight in 2017 when he was first to respond to a shooting at a GOP congressional baseball practice where six people were shot.

One of the victims, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., who was critically injured in the attacked, called Wenstrup a “true hero” in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. He added that, “Congress is losing a great one. Brad is an Iraq veteran, a dedicated representative, and a dear friend. I'll greatly miss serving beside him—but wish him and his family the very best in this next chapter.”

Wenstrup said he was stepping down in order to spend more time with his family.

Wenstrup’s seat is expected to remain in Republican control. His deeply red district backed former President Donald Trump by 45 percentage points in 2020.

“Brad Wenstrup represents a district that is not competitive at all,” said Dave Cohen, professor of political science and director of the Applied Politics Program at the University of Akron. “It doesn’t matter who the Republicans nominate or who the Democrats nominate. If the Republicans put up someone with a pulse, they will win.”

Wenstrup’s retirement announcement followed two others on Thursday: those of Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Wash., and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va.