Congressman Joe Barton, hit with ‘sexting’ revelation, bows out of 2018 race – By Kevin Diaz (chronicle) / Nov 30 2017
WASHINGTON – Embattled Texas Congressman Joe Barton announced Thursday that he will not seek reelection in 2018, following recent revelations of a nude photo and sexually suggestive messages that appeared on the Internet.
Barton’s decision came as a growing number of Texas Republicans called on him to resign or cancel his reelection plans for a seat he has held since 1985, making him the longest-serving member of the Texas delegation.
In a statement, Barton, 68, made no reference to the “sexting” scandal that has enveloped him since last week.
“As a young Congressman, my slogan was ‘listening to you in Texas, working for you in Washington.'” Barton said. “For me that was never just a saying, but a commitment – a way of life. Over the last thirty three years, I have held thousands of public meetings and visited with so many great people in Texas on issues important to them. In Washington, I have voted over 20,000 times on the House Floor to hopefully make life a little better for the people in the 6th District.
“I am very proud of my public record and the many accomplishments of my office. It has been a tremendous honor to represent the 6th District of Texas for over three decades, but now it is time to step aside and let there be a new voice.
“I am announcing today that I will not seek reelection in 2018. To the people of the 6th District, thank you for your support and friendship.”
PB/TK – Barton takes the number to about 18 GOP’ers calling it quits for 2018 for one reason or another. Just as they did with Rep Murphy, the GOP showed Barton the door and shoved him thru it.
