Veteran Democratic lawmaker Joe Pickett says he will retire from the Texas House next month to address lingering health concerns.
Pickett said in a statement Saturday that he will retire Jan. 4 after 24 years as a state representative for El Paso.
Pickett says he learned prior to the last legislative session that he had cancer, for which he received treatment and had surgery. Complications from cancer and that initial surgery have developed in recent weeks and Pickett says, "My body and mind need a break."
He held more leadership positions during his career than any other lawmaker from the El Paso region, including two stints as chairman of the House transportation committee and chairman of defense and veterans affairs.
He was considered one of the state's leading policymakers on transportation issues.
