Earlier this month, the Harrison County Republican Party censured Paddie by a vote of 9 to 1 for 18 grievances, including his opposition to requiring committee chairs to be Republicans and a ban on taxpayer-funded lobbying, according to the Marshall News Messenger.
“As the House begins working through the process of redistricting, I have decided that the timing is right to spend more time with my family and allow my East Texas colleagues to spend time fighting for our values instead of having to make some of the tough choices required in the redistricting process,” Paddie said in a press release.
He also thanked his family and constituents and said being state representative for almost a decade has been “one of the greatest honors of my life.”
The state legislature has convened for a third called session to redraw congressional and state legislative maps.
Paddie had announced his intention to seek reelection on August 27, calling 2021 a “banner year for conservatives.”
“Some of our achievements include passing a Constitutional Carry to protect the 2nd Amendment, the largest border security investment to date, and a landmark bill to support rural broadband,” Paddie said at the time.
“I proudly co-sponsored the Heartbeat Bill to protect unborn babies from the moment a heartbeat is detectable. I coauthored legislation that prevents churches from ever being shut down and authored much-needed electric grid reform.”
Paddie was one of the key state lawmakers who ushered in reforms to the Texas power grid, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), and the Public Utility Commission (PUC) after the winter storm in February.
Editor’s Note: The article has been updated to make proper mention of Paddie’s local Republican club.
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Hayden Sparks
Hayden Sparks is a senior reporter for The Texan and a lifelong resident of the Lone Star State. He has coached competitive speech and debate and has been involved in politics since a young age. One of Hayden's favorite quotes is by Sam Houston: "Texas has yet to learn submission to any oppression, come from what source it may."
