After 30 years in office, U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith (R-San Antonio) announced last week he will not seek re-election after his Congressional term ends in 2018, according to a letter written to constituents.

Smith serves as the representative of the U.S. 21st Congressional District, which includes parts of Driftwood, Buda, Kyle and Mountain City.

“For several reasons, this seems like a good time to pass on the privilege of representing the 21st District to someone else,” Smith wrote.

Smith, who was first elected to the 21st District seat in 1986, is also the current chairman of the U.S. House Science, Space and Technology Committee. 

However, many of his comments while as the U.S. House Science Chair have stirred up controversy as well. Smith has been accused of being a skeptic of climate change and once said climate change was a “good thing.” 

He has also chaired the Ethics, Judiciary and Science Committees and was a member of the Homeland Security and Budget Committees.

“With over a year remaining in my term, there is still much to do,” Smith wrote. “There is legislation to enact, dozens of hearings to hold, and hundreds of votes to cast.”

But his decision has turned the wheels for six Democratic and one Republican who had aimed to challenge Smith for his seat in November 2018. 

That list includes Manchaca resident Derrick Crowe, a former Democratic congressional staffer, who said Smith’s retirement is “incredible news for everyone fighting for real action on climate change.”

“Smith’s retirement is a sign we’re winning the fight to retake our government from the alt-right,” Crowe said in a statement. “He obviously saw the power of the grassroots uprising against him and opted to leave before suffering a loss in the general election.” 

Elliott McFadden, an Austin-area Democratic challenger to Smith, said in a statement the incumbent politician was “out of touch” and “saw the writing on the wall.” 

“While I am glad to see Smith go, Democrats need to stay focused on this winnable district which will be a critical part of gaining back control of the U.S. House next year,” McFadden said. “We cannot swap one out of touch, corporate backed politician for another. We need real representation in Central Texas,” McFadden said. 

Eric Burkhart, who so far is the only Republican to file for the TX-21 seat, said Smith served District 21 “with honest dedication and forthright leadership.”

“I do not agree with Lamar Smith on every issue,” Burkhart said. “I am a strong supporter of term limits, which I believe will return functionality and accountability to  Congress.  I’m pleased that Rep Smith made the decision to retire, and I’m grateful for his years of service to the people of District 21.”

Who’s planning to run for Lamar Smith’s open seat?

Democrats 

• Derrick Crowe 


• Joseph Kosper 


• Elliott McFadden 


• Rixi Melton 


• Mary Wilson 

Republicans 

• Eric Burkhart 

Information gathered from ballotpedia.org

Updated Nov. 8, 2017 at 11:45 a.m.