Lamar Smith, the rock ribbed conservative Republican who has represented northeast San Antonio and various parts of Central Texas and the Hill Country for more than three decades, announced this afternoon he will not seek re-election in 2018, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
Smith cited his demanding schedule , his family, and the fact tht he will cycle out of the Chairmanship of the House Space, Science, and Technology Committee next year as reasons for his decision.
"For several reasons,, this seems like a good time to pass on the privilege of representing the 21st District to someone else, " Smith said in a statement.
"I have one new grandchild and a second one on the way.. And I hope to find other ways to stay involved in politics."
Smith, who will turn 70 in two weeks, is a former member of the Texas House and Bexar County Commission.. He was elected to Congress inn 1986, defeating San Antonio City Councilman Van Henry Archer in a contentious runoff for the seat being vacated by Tom Loeffler, who stepped down to make an unsuccessful run for governor.
Smith has represented a shifting district in his three decades in Congress.. The 21st stretched into the Hill Country and at one point stretched'west to Midland.. It has since been redrawn to stretch up I-35 to include much of Austin, including the University of Texas.
Although several Democrats have filed to run for the seat, Smith's announcement today has left no time for any Republicans to announce a run.
Retiring House Speaker Joe Straus is a close political ally and social friend of Smith, and Straus got his start in politics managing Smith"/ Congressional races.. Straus announced just last week that he is retiring as Texas House Speaker and will not seek re-election to his State House Seat.