West Texas State Representative Won't Seek Fourth Term

State Rep. Tryon Lewis, R-Odessa, chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence, announced Friday that he is retiring from the Texas House at the end of his current term.

“When I first ran to serve our district as state representative, I committed to myself that I would serve three terms, with approval of the voters,” Lewis said in a press release. “Having served those three terms, I am announcing that I will not be a candidate for a fourth term.”

Lewis has represented House District 81 in West Texas, which includes Andrews County, Ward County, Winkler County and Ector County, since 2008 after defeating former state Rep. Buddy West in a runoff.

"I wish to express my appreciation for the many people who have worked with me on the passage of important legislation for our area and for those who have taken the time and trouble to travel to the Capitol during legislative session to make the voice of West Texas heard," Lewis said.

Lewis, a partner at a law firm in Odessa, joins several other Republican state representatives who will not seek re-election in 2014, including state Reps. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie; Rob Orr, R-Burleson; and Harvey Hilderbran, R-Kerville, who is running for comptroller.

Lewis' term will expire in 2014.