Ron Paul won't seek congressional term in 2012

The Facts - Brazoria News 7/12/11
Ron Paul won't seek congressional term in 2012

LAKE JACKSON — After serving almost 24 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Ron Paul told The Facts this morning he will not be seeking another term for the District 14 seat.

Paul, 75, will instead focus on his quest for the presidency in 2012.

“I felt it was better that I concentrate on one election,” Paul said. “It’s about that time when I should change tactics.”
His announcement will give enough time for anyone with aspirations for his seat to think about running, he said. Paul didn’t want to wait for filing in the 2012 primary to let people know he wasn’t seeking reelection.

“I didn’t want to hold off until in December,” he said. “I thought it shouldn’t be any later than now.”

Paul has served 12 terms in Congress. District 14 encompasses a 10-county area along the Gulf Coast.

AAS 7/12/11
Texas Rep. Ron Paul retires from Congress

AUSTIN, TEXAS — Texas Rep. Ron Paul said Tuesday he will retire from Congress when his term runs out in 2012 and will focus on his campaign for president.

The 75-year-old Republican said he has been criticized in the past for running for Congress and the presidency at the same time. For the 2012 presidential race, he said he's received more support than ever before and that he wants to concentrate exclusively on that race.

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Paul says he will serve out his term through December 2012.

Texas Tribune 7/12/11
Rep. Ron Paul Won't Run For Re-Election

Late Tuesday morning, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Surfside, sent out the following message to his Twitter followers: "I have decided not to seek re-election to Congress."

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This will be Paul's third presidential race. His previous two — in 1988 as a Libertarian and 2008 as a Republican — ultimately came up empty.

Republican Party of Texas spokesman Chris Elam said the news caught many people, including those in high-level GOP positions in Paul's district, by surprise. "I believe this was a very closely held announcement," Elam said. "I can’t say when the Congressman came to this decision, but I don’t think it was disseminated beyond his inner circle." He said it was too early to say who might run for the seat.

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U. S. Representative District 14
Ron Paul(I) REP 94,380 60.18%
Shane Sklar DEM 62,429 39.81%
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Race Total 156,809