Retirements and departures from the Texas House of Representatives continue ahead of the filing deadline as three more Democrats have announced they will not be returning to the chamber in 2023.
On Monday, State Rep. Ina Minjarez (D–San Antonio) of House District 124 announced on Twitter that she will not be pursuing re-election to the Texas House.
Citing her record of supporting “working families, small businesses, seniors, our everyday neighbors,” as well as her work to bring more funding to Bexar County, Minjarez kicked off her campaign for Bexar County judge.
I've always fought for our everyday neighbors—working families, small businesses, & resilient seniors. I want to continue this fight to ensure that every citizen is heard & I know the best place for me to lead the fight is as the next #BexarCounty Judge. #TeamIna pic.twitter.com/zgOEMkRxcz
— Rep. Ina Minjarez (@vote4ina) November 15, 2021
Current Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff is not seeking re-election, though Minjarez will be facing former State District Judge Peter Sakai for the position in the Democrat primary.
Former San Antonio Mayor Ed Garza has also expressed interest in the Bexar County judgeship.
Meanwhile, in Beaumont, Democrat State Rep. Joe Deshotel of House District 22 has announced his retirement following what will be a 24-year career in the Texas House.
According to a short announcement published in the Beaumont Enterprise, Deshotel says he is retiring to spend more time with his family due to his imminent remarriage and the impending birth of his first grandchild.
Rounding out the group, State Rep. Alex Dominguez (D–San Antonio) of House District 37 has announced that he will instead be pursuing the Texas Senate District 27 seat vacated by the retiring State Sen. Eddie Lucio (Brownsville).
Dominguez announced on Twitter, “I am running for the Texas Senate to bring my energy, bridge building, and problem solving to provide the solutions that Texans should expect from our public servants. I look forward to giving the people of South Texas a voice in Austin.”
Democrat Sara Stapleton Barrera is also running for Senate District 27 and will face Dominguez in the primary.
This latest reshuffling brings the total number of Texas legislators leaving their current position to 26.
The deadline for candidate filing is December 13, 2021.
The primary is currently scheduled for March 1, 2022.
