Another Republican state representative is retiring from the Texas Legislature.

State Rep. Jodie Laubenberg (R-Murphy) announced Thursday that she won’t run again for the House District 89 seat she’s held since 2003.

“After eight very productive and successful terms, I have decided not to seek re-election,” Laubenberg wrote in a news release. “I am very grateful to the Lord for giving me the privilege and honor to serve in the Texas House.”

Laubenberg earned a career rating of “A-“ on Empower Texans’ Fiscal Responsibility Index, but her scores plummeted in recent legislative sessions — from an “A+” to a “C” in 2015, and ultimately to an “F” in 2017. The decline in her voting record began when Laubenberg joined the coalition of liberal Republicans and Democrats supporting House Speaker Joe Straus.

Earlier this week another House Republican loyal to Straus, State Rep. Larry Gonzales of Round Rock, announced his retirement as well. Gonzales has consistently earned failing ratings on the Fiscal Responsibility Index, and for the 2017 legislative session scored a 43 – lower than the average for all House members, Republicans and Democrats.

Laubenberg’s HD 89 successor is likely to be decided in the March 6, 2018 Republican primary. The reliably-conservative North Texas district encompasses most of southeast Collin County.

Erin Anderson

Erin Anderson is a Senior Journalist for Texas Scorecard, reporting on state and local issues, events, and government actions that impact people in communities throughout Texas and the DFW Metroplex. A native Texan, Erin grew up in the Houston area and now lives in Collin County.

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