Longtime state Sen. Larry Taylor, best known for his work on education issues, says he won't run for reelection

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State Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, who helped constitute the instrumentality to overhaul schoolhouse backing successful Texas, volition not question reelection. Taylor chairs the Senate Education Committee and has served successful the Legislature since 2003, archetypal arsenic a subordinate of the House. He is besides seat of the Senate Republican Caucus.

His determination comes conscionable nether 2 weeks earlier the campaigner filing deadline for the 2022 primary.

"This has been a precise hard decision, arsenic having the privilege of representing my assemblage successful the legislature for astir 2 decades has been the biggest grant of my life,” Taylor said successful a statement. “Together, with my colleagues successful the Legislature, we person dealt with aggregate challenges and worked to unafraid Texas’ aboriginal arsenic a person for our country. I americium truthful arrogant of our enactment and truthful incredibly blessed to person been a portion of it.”

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In the statement, Taylor besides acknowledged the sacrifices that nationalist work requires, including a “major committedness of clip distant from your household and friends.”

Taylor’s determination creates a vacancy successful Senate District 11 successful Southeast Texas. The spot favors Republicans.

Taylor is possibly champion known for his enactment connected education. He was a cardinal subordinate successful the 2019 schoolhouse concern overhaul that lawmakers passed. He besides focused connected coastal issues, similar reforming the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association.

Taylor’s determination is abrupt. His run had said Sunday that helium would record for reelection Monday, though it did not look to happen.

One imaginable campaigner for the Senate spot is authorities Rep. Mayes Middleton, R-Wallisville. After quality of Taylor’s status broke, helium told a newsman with the Galveston Daily News that portion of his determination was owed to Middleton’s involvement successful his seat. Taylor told the newsman that helium tried to dissuade Middleton, but that helium is “ready to spell and wanting to walk a batch of money.”

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A run spokesperson did not instantly respond to a petition for remark connected Middleton’s plans present that Taylor is not moving for reelection. Middleton himself has not responded to requests for remark successful caller days.

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