Well-liked House Democrat Jessica Farrar retires after two decades of service

State Rep. Jessica Farrar announced Friday that she would retire from the Texas House of Representatives effective September 30, 2019. Farrar, a Houston Democrat, served as a Representative for House District 148 for more than two decades.

“Thank you again to the people of my district for allowing me to represent them all these years,” said Farrar in a statement Friday. “This experience has been the privilege of a lifetime.”

Farrar, an attorney, was first elected to the chamber in 1994. In the 86th session, she served on the Natural Resources committee and as vice chair of the Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence committee. 

Throughout her career, Farrar has been a champion for womens’ rights and LGBTQ rights, and she has worked on legislation to abolish the death penalty.

In 2007, Farrar filed a bill that would mandate the HPV vaccination and protect adolescent girls against the human papilloma virus. 

In a press release from Gov. Greg Abbott’s office today, he issued a proclamation announcing Tuesday, November 5, 2019 as the special election date to fill Farrar’s seat.

Houston ISD board member Elizabeth Santos announced today she would explore a bid for the seat, and plans to “announce a decision soon” after talking to residents about their priorities. Farrar’s 2018 Republican opponent, Ryan McConnico, has not yet announced whether he will seek the seat again.

Per the release, “Candidates who wish to have their names placed on the special election ballot must file their applications with the Secretary of State no later than 5:00PM on Wednesday, September 4, 2019.”

Early voting for this special election—concurrent with the Nov. 5 city elections—will begin on Monday, October 21, 2019.