HARLINGEN, Texas – State Rep. Eduardo Andres “Eddie” Lucio, III, will not seek re-election to the Texas House in 2022.
The eight-term House member made the announcement Friday, Oc. 1, 2021, in this statement:
“It has been an incredible privilege to represent District 38 in the Texas House. I would like to thank the wonderful people of Cameron County for allowing me the opportunity to represent our community. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life, and we will be forever grateful for the 8-terms in office where we worked to make our state a better place for all Texans.
“I want to thank my family and friends for their unwavering support and encouragement. From long nights block walking to meet and greets across our community, you were always in our corner, and we will be thankful for your unconditional friendship, love and support.
“To my staff, interns, volunteers, and all the different people that worked in my office, without you, the last nearly two decades would have been impossible. I will cherish our time together and hope that because of our efforts we made a positive impact on the process.
“And, lastly, I want to thank my wife and children for inspiring me to serve my community and giving me the perspective of what raising a family looks like in Texas. You inspire me to be the best version of myself every day, and I am truly blessed to have you in my life. You are my greatest achievement.
“It is with sincere gratitude, yet a heavy heart, that I have decided that I will not seek re-election to the Texas House in 2022. It is with hope that I start this next chapter in my life with a focus on family, friends, and business. I look forward to remaining very active in my community, our chamber of commerce, institutions of education, and most importantly my daughter’s soon to be PTA. To my colleagues who remain, may you continue the good fight and strive to make Texas the best version of itself. God Bless Texas.”
An attorney and small businessman, Rep. Lucio, D-Brownsville, was first elected to represent District 38 in the Texas House in Nov. 2006, succeeding state Rep. Jim Solis, D-San Benito. During his eight terms in the House he specialized in environmental, water, education, workforce training and insurance issues.
There had been speculation that Rep. Lucio would run for the Texas Senate if his father, longtime state Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr., retired. Legislators are currently redrawing boundary lines in response to population shifts recorded through the Census 2020 process. Republicans control the redistricting process and the plan they have drawn for the Texas Senate looks favorable to Sen. Lucio. The new plan continues to anchor his District 27 seat in Cameron County. There were fears in Cameron County that the district could be redrawn to favor a candidate based in Hidalgo County.
“The news is not surprising. Eddie, III, does not want the Senate seat. He wants to focus on his family and his successful business,” an unnamed political consultant told the Rio Grande Guardian.
The announcement means there will be at least two high profile political offices open in Cameron County at the next election. U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville, has announced he will retire at the next election. His Congressional District 34 seat is anchored in Cameron County.
There has plenty of reaction to Rep. Lucio’s announcement.
U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar told Ron Whitlock Reports: “Rep. Eddie Lucio has served in the Texas House with grace, honor and dignity. As a colleague he was a pleasure to work with and represented his constituents to the best of his ability. Good luck to him in his next adventure. I hope he enjoys this time with family and friends. Thank you for your service to our Texas community.”
State Sen. Juan ‘Chuy’ Hinojosa told Ron Whitlock Reports: “I have had the honor and privilege of working with Representative Eddie Lucio, III, since his first session in 2007. He played a key role in the creation of UTRGV and the School of Medicine, we worked together on important energy conservation legislation as well as necessary and important legislation for marine seawater desalination. This past session we worked closely on a bill to end forensic hypnosis. He has been a great advocate, leader, and champion for the Rio Grande Valley. I congratulate Representative Lucio on his successful legislative career and wish him much success in his future endeavors. His leadership will be missed in the Texas Legislature.”
Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr., told Ron Whitlock Reports: “I want to thank Rep Eddie Lucio III for his dedication and service as our state representative for District 38 for 8 terms. His leadership, energy and commitment to helping the people in our region deserve our thanks and gratitude. Eddie built a reputation of not only addressing and tackling difficult issues, but working in a bi-partisan way to accomplish results and get things done. Eddie III will be missed as a local elected public leader but I want to wish him and his family all the best of God’s blessings in all of his future endeavors as he begins this next chapter in his life.”
Texas A&M System Regent and Brownsville native Mike Hernandez told Ron Whitlock Reports: “Representative Lucio has been a tireless advocate for his community, it’s economic development and it’s citizens in need. Both Representative Lucio and his father Senator Lucio have always been held in high esteem by both sides of the aisle in Austin because of their integrity and class. The Brownsville community is losing a great public servant. I wish E3 all the best in his future endeavors and have no doubt that he will find tremendous success.”
Realtor and South Padre Island Council Member Eva Jean Dalton told Ron Whitlock Reports: “I have known Representative Lucio for many years. He has always supported the Texas real estate profession and the rights of Texas property owners. He’s done a good job representing his constituents. He will be missed.”
Quintin Anderson, managing partner of CRI, an accountancy firm based in Harlingen, told Ron Whitlock Reports: “Eddie Lucio, III, has been a great representative with a family legacy of service to the state of Texas and the Rio Grande Valley. We are thankful for the time he has devoted to our community and wish him success on the road ahead.”
Bobby Farris, vice chairman of Texas Regional Bank, told Ron Whitlock Reports: “Eddie Lucio, III, has been a great state representative for our area. And, while I hate to see him step down I certainly understand the need to focus on his law practice, his business and his family. His leadership will be missed.”
Ken Medders, a city council member for South Padre Island, said: “Another good legislator leaves too early.”
Joe Ricco, mayor pro tem of South Padre Island, told Ron Whitlock Reports: “State Representative Eddie Lucio has been a longtime source of inspiration and motivation for not only South Padre Island but the Great State of Texas as well. It has been an honor to work with him and see his many initiatives benefit all of us. I wish him the best in his future endeavors and thank him for all he has done. I’m sure I will bump into him at our favorite place, Harbor Freight Tools!”
Cledia Hernandez, associate vice chancellor for external relations and workforce development for Texas State Technical College, told Ron Whitlock Reports: “On behalf of the TSTC community, I want to thank Representative Lucio III for his many contributions over his 16 years of service to our region. His steadfast leadership and support for education have helped ensure our community continues to have access to best in class education that leads to great employment opportunities. We wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”
Donna Mayor Ric Morales said: “We’re loosing a champion for our community. You will be missed my friend. May God Bless you in your future endeavors.”
Dr. Nolan Perez, a UT System regent and a trustee for Harlingen CISD, told Ron Whitlock Reports: “Bummed about this news, but very happy for Eddie and his family. He sacrificed so much these last 16 years doing a remarkable job as a servant leader representing Cameron county in the Texas House. Texas is better place because of his dedication and selfless leadership. Thank you.”
Educator and former Laguna Vista City Manager Rolando Vela told the Rio Grande Guardian: “I was one of E3’s initial supporters. I was working at the cable company when he made his decision to run. I brought him into the office and over the years, whether it was with the cable company or the Town of Laguna Vista, his door was always open. Eddie and I will always have a special friendship, not only because we’ve known each other for many years but because we also share the same birthday. His leadership will be missed.”
Consultant Hollis Rutledge, of Hollis Rutledge & Associates, told Ron Whitlock Reports: “It is with great respect and friendship of you and your entire family, which I have known for close to 50 years, that I would like to wish you well in all your endeavors. You have done a great service to our state and community May God bless and be with you now and in the future. You have made us proud.”
Editor’s Note: The main image accompanying the above news story shows state Rep. Eddie Lucio, III, speaking on the Texas House floor. Photo credit: Eddie Lucio, III, Facebook page.
Editor’s Note: The Rio Grande Guardian will have more reaction to Rep. Lucio’s retirement announcement in later editions.
