Solomons Won't Seek Re-election to Texas House

State Rep. Burt Solomons, R-Carrollton, won't seek a 10th term in the Texas House. Solomons, chairman of the House Redistricting Committee and one of a small band of House Republicans who helped Joe Straus topple Speaker Tom Craddick in 2009, says he wants to "see what new adventures, opportunities, and challenges life may have in store."

He's the 24th incumbent to either quit or decide not to return to the House next year.

His note to House colleagues:

After much reflection, I have decided not to seek reelection in the 2012 Republican primary, but rather to leave office when my current ninth term expires in January 2013.  After what will be eighteen years of public service in the Texas House, both my wife and I feel it’s time for me to see what new adventures, opportunities, and challenges life may have in store.

I do want to take this moment to thank my wife, Jamie, who has stood beside me and so kindly and patiently supported my efforts in politics and public service over the years.  And, of course, I sincerely want to thank my constituents as well as all the wonderful people throughout Denton County. It’s truly been the highest honor of my life to serve my community as their elected State Representative for District 65 in the Texas Legislature.  

I was elected to the Texas House in November of 1994, the same year George W. Bush was elected Governor. During my years in the House, I am proud to have had the opportunity to meet and work with so many Texans from around this great State, and to serve as a vice-chairman and chairman of three committees under three different Texas House Speakers, as well as be a member and chairman of the Sunset Advisory Commission.

I sincerely also want to thank my long-time Chief of Staff, Bonnie Bruce, and all my wonderful staff, now and in the past, for which I have the greatest respect, and to acknowledge their intelligence and hard work over the years to help me successfully advocate public policy and pass positive legislation on so many different subjects.  I am especially pleased that my work in establishing the Denton County Transportation Authority continues to result in tangible transportation solutions for my community.

Finally, I sincerely do want to acknowledge and thank all my House and Senate

colleagues, past and present, Republican and Democrat. It’s been a truly rewarding experience getting to know and serve with each of you.