“As the third Special Session ends, I have decided to announce my retirement from the Texas House of Representatives when my term is complete,” Huberty said in a Tuesday statement.
“Serving through six regular and nine special sessions, I realize that good public policy takes time. No one legislator, political party, or interest group holds all the answers. But working in good faith, collaboratively, and constructively we can achieve mighty results for Texans.”
Huberty’s announcement comes the morning after the Texas legislature adjourned sine die on the third called special session. He is the 14th House member to forgo re-election and the seventh to retire outright rather than run for other office.
Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) said of the news, “Dan is one of our state’s most effective and passionate advocates for Texas children and our schools. A race well run, [Dan Huberty]. Enjoy this next chapter and I hope you do not lose your sartorial flair in your next endeavor.”
During the 87th regular session, Huberty was ranked the second most liberal Republican by Rice University’s Mark P. Jones’ post-session ratings. Back in April, Huberty was arrested on a DWI charge after he rear-ended another driver at a stoplight. He entered sought treatment for alcoholism and returned to the legislature after a couple weeks of treatment.
Huberty focused on public education during his time in the legislature, previously serving as the chairman of the Public Education Committee. He carried 2019’s school finance legislation that provided funding for teacher pay raises and bought down ISD property tax rates, among other provisions.
According to The Texan’s Texas Partisan Index, Huberty’s House District 127 was made an R-61% district by the legislature’s approved redistricting plan. Huberty was already facing a primary challenge from Anthony Dolcefino after the DWI incident.
His departure leaves open another seat heading into the 2022 midterms, setting the table for significant changeover when the legislature reconvenes in 2023.
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Brad Johnson
Brad Johnson is a senior reporter for The Texan and an Ohio native who graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2017. He is an avid sports fan who most enjoys watching his favorite teams continue their title drought throughout his cognizant lifetime. In his free time, you may find Brad quoting Monty Python productions and trying to calculate the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow.
