Burnt Orange Report

Ratliff to Resign

By Byron LaMasters

State Sen. Bill Ratliff (R-Mount Pleasant) will resign on January 10:

State Sen. Bill Ratliff, the former acting lieutenant governor who said he was increasingly disillusioned over partisan acrimony in the Legislature, announced Thursday he is resigning from his post Jan. 10.

After 15 years in the Senate, Mr. Ratliff said it was is “time for going out.”

The 67-year-old Republican made the announcement in his district in Mount Pleasant. He scheduled another news conference later in the day in Austin.

Earlier this year, Mr. Ratliff raised the possibility of quitting, complaining about what he called the disintegration of civility and collegiality in the Senate and the decision by Gov. Rick Perry and GOP leaders to force a vote on congressional redistricting.

[...]

Repeatedly touted by Texas Monthly magazine as one of the 10 best members of the Legislature, the 67-year-old consulting engineer was chosen by fellow senators to replace Rick Perry as lieutenant governor in December 2000 after Mr. Perry became governor with the election of George W. Bush as president. He did not seek election as lieutenant governor on the 2002 ballot.

I'm not surprised that Ratliff is retiring. I am surprised that he's resigning. That will set up a special election, which I think could be very competetive:

If Mr. Ratliff resigns early, it would trigger a special election to replace him. The Legislature is not scheduled to return in regular session until January 2005, but Mr. Perry has indicated plans to summon lawmakers back for a special session on school finance as early as next spring.

Among those mentioned as possible replacements for the seat are Rep. Tommy Merritt, R-Longview, and former Rep. Paul Sadler, a Democrat from Henderson. Former Tyler Mayor Kevin Eltife has also been mentioned among Republicans in the district as a possible candidate.

Either Paul Sadler or Former State Rep. Tom Ramsay (I think he lives in that district) would be great candidates for that seat. It's a shame Ratliff is leaving but his resignation gives us an opportunity to pick up the seat and have a Democratic incumbent running without having to worry about Bush's coattails until next November.