Ted Poe Announces Retirement From Congress

HOUSTON, TX — U.S. Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas) announced Tuesday that he will not seek re-election for the 2nd Congressional District seat in 2018.

A staunch Republican who has represented the 2nd Congressional District since 2005, Poe annouced his plans in a tweet fueling speculation that health concerns related to his leukemia diagnosis in 2016 led to his decision.

Poe affirmed in his tweet that he is in good health and wants to spend more time with his family back home in Texas.

RELATED: Ted Poe Quits House Freedom Caucus Over Health Care

Long an opponent of the Affordable Care Act, Poe made national news in March when he resigned from the House Freedom Caucus after the ultra-conservative group opposed the Republican-backed legislation to replace the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

Meanwhile, local politicians who have long supported Poe in congress are lining up to replace him on Capitol Hill.

State Rep. Kevin Roberts (R-Spring), who was sworn as state representative for District 126 in January, announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for Poe's congressional district less than 24 hours after Poe announced his retirement.

"Congressman Poe has been a tremendous example of what true servant-leadership means in the House of Representatives," Roberts said in his announcement. "He brought a no-nonsense, straight-forward approach to solving the challenges our nation faced and dealt directly with problems in our federal government. Our region is still reeling from the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. We need dedicated, effective leadership to help the thousands of families and small business who have been affected by that devastating storm."

District 126 represents the same constituents as Poe's congressional district, which makes Roberts a virtual shoo-in for the Republican nod in 2018.

In an ironic twist, Houston area businessman Sam Harless announced that he would be running in the Republican primary to replace Roberts in the state legislature.

Roberts, who won his first political race for the 126 seat, replaced Harless's wife, Patricia Harless, when she decided not to seek another term in the state legislature.

The Republican primary will held in March 2018.

Image: Official Portrait

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