Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga., announced Wednesday that he will not seek re-election to a seventh term, becoming the latest Republican lawmaker to step aside amid a growing wave of GOP retirements ahead of the next election cycle.

Loudermilk released a statement announcing his retirement, saying it has been a "tremendous honor" to represent the people of Northwest Georgia for six terms.

He also said that during his tenure, he focused on upholding the U.S. Constitution and representing the 11th Congressional District.

"I first ran for election to Congress in 2014 and, as I stated then, representing the people in Congress is a service, not a career; and although I continue to have strong support from the people of the 11th Congressional District, I believe it is time to contribute to my community, state, and nation in other ways," he said. "Therefore, I have decided not to seek reelection at the end of my current term in Congress."

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Loudermilk said he learned throughout his life that doing what is right is not always easy, popular or convenient, and that he and his wife prayed and discussed the decision extensively.

"This is not an easy decision, but we believe it is the right one," he said. "While serving my constituents in Congress ranks among my greatest honors, being a husband, a father and a grandfather holds even greater importance to me, and at this time I wish to spend more dedicated time with my family."

He concluded by thanking the people of his district for allowing him to serve, as well as his staff for their "outstanding service" to the district, state and nation.

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Loudermilk’s decision comes as lawmakers in both parties consider the toll of another election cycle, with redistricting, an early primary calendar and an increasingly national political climate influencing decisions ahead of the next midterm elections.

Loudermilk is at least the 29th Republican to announce plans not to seek re-election at the end of the current term, part of a broader wave of departures from the House. Twenty-one House Democrats have also announced they will not seek re-election.

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Last Tuesday, Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., said he would not seek re-election, ending a two-decade career in Washington at age 74.

"After 20 years of service, I believe it’s the right time to pass the torch and begin a new chapter in my life," Buchanan said in a statement.

Other Republicans not seeking re-election include Reps. Neal Dunn, R-Fla., Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, and Troy Nehls, R-Texas.

Fox News Digital’s Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.

A 9-year-old boy is recovering after a popular toy caused second-degree burns to his face and hands.

Caleb Chabolla, a fourth-grader in Illinois, was injured after heating up a NeeDoh in the microwave late last month.

The NeeDoh, a sensory toy similar to a stress ball, is described on the company’s website as a "gratifying super soft, super stretchy dough filled groovy glob."

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After microwaving the toy to soften it, Chabolla removed it and began squeezing it when it exploded in his face.

"I heard him screaming loudly and saw him take off running toward the bathroom, and he just kept yelling, ‘it burns, it burns,’" Whitney Grubb, the boy’s mother, told Fox News Digital.

Grubb saw that the right side of Chabolla’s face was covered in a thick gel, with bright red skin underneath. She initially tried to wash off the substance, but it was too painful, so she drove her son to the emergency room.

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Chabolla was ultimately transferred via ambulance to the Loyola Burn Center, where he stayed overnight. Doctors "debrided" the burn, which involves cleaning burn wounds by removing dead, damaged or infected skin and debris.

"Because his eye ended up swelling all the way closed, they also brought in ophthalmology to make sure he didn't have any injury to his eye," Grubb said.

The doctors at Loyola informed Grubb that they had recently treated four other children who had been burned by heating up NeeDohs, stemming from a viral trend on TikTok.

"Caleb had heard about it through word of mouth through friends at school," Grubb said.

After two weeks of recovery and daily wound cleanings, Chabolla was released to return to school on Wednesday.

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"His face is looking a lot better," Grubb said. "There are a few spots that are still healing, but the majority of his face is pretty healed over."

He will continue to need vitamin E lotion as well as sunscreen to keep the skin protected from burns, she added.

"For the most part, Caleb is just happy to be back at school to see his friends, so he's in better spirits now."

Grubb wants to spread the word to warn other parents about the potential dangers of putting these types of toys in the microwave.

"It’s hard to micromanage every little thing your kid does, and unfortunately, kids are going to experiment and try things — they don't know the risks of these kinds of things, and they don’t know how hot things can get in a short amount of time."

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Fox News Digital reached out to the manufacturer of NeeDoh and to the Loyola Burn Center requesting comment.