Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R), who has served in his South Florida-based 21st seat since 1992, will announce his retirement at a noon press conference Thursday, GOP sources confirmed.

Diaz-Balart’s departure from Congress comes just months after his name was in the mix to temporarily fill then-Sen. Mel Martinez’s (R-Fla.) seat.

Sources say Diaz-Balart’s departure from the House could clear the way for his brother, Rep. Mario Diaz Balart (R), to leave his 25th district to run in the more Republican-friendly 21st district.

There is expected to be no shortage of candidates interested in running to succeed Mario Diaz-Balart if he does in fact switch races.

Diaz-Balart becomes the 18th Republican to announce plans to leave the House at the end of this Congress.