Arkansas House Speaker Matthew Shepherd said he won’t seek another term leading chamber

(AP) — Republican Matthew Shepherd, Arkansas’ longest-serving House speaker, said Tuesday he won’t seek another term leading the House next year.

Shepherd has served as House speaker since 2018, and his term will end in January 2025. He has served in the state House since 2011.

Shepherd said he plans to run for reelection for another term representing his south Arkansas seat in the House. The House will vote on its next speaker at the end of next year’s legislative session, which will focus primarily on the state’s budget.

“I just felt like it was the right time to let folks know I wouldn’t seek another term and so the House and others who might be interested can start preparing and having the discussion about who follows me,” Shepherd told The Associated Press.