State Rep. Farrar to retire from Legislature
State Rep. Jessica Farrar announced Friday she is retiring from the Texas House effective Sept. 30, ending her 25-year tenure representing a majority Hispanic House district.
Farrar, a Democrat from Houston, was first elected in 1994. In a statement, she thanked her constituents and said she is stepping down in part to care for her mother, following the recent death of her father.
“I have learned so much from and been profoundly inspired by the many people that I have had the chance to meet, from presidents of the United States to residents of federal housing programs and everyone in between,” Farrar said.
She is the second House member in recent weeks to announce her retirement; state Rep. John Zerwas, RRichmond, announced late last month he would step down Sept. 30
Farrar said she announced her retirement Friday to allow Gov. Greg Abbott enough time to call a special election concurrent with the Nov. 5 city elections, the same day as the election for Zerwas’ seat.
Last year, Farrar won re-election to a 13th term with 68 percent of the vote. Her district covers area north of downtown and part of the Heights, extending northwest outside Loop 610.
During the 2017 legislative session, Farrar gained attention for introducing legislation, called the “Man’s Right To Know Act,” that would have fined men $100 for “unregulated masturbatory emissions,” among other provisions.
Farrar said she filed the bill to draw attention to “the obstacles that Texas women face every day, that were placed there by legislatures making it very difficult for them to access health care.” In the statement announcing her retirement, she said the bill was “satirical.”
“Despite the misogynistic reaction of some towards my efforts speaking out for women, the voters elected an unprecedented twelve new Democratic women to the Texas House in 2018,” Farrar said.
Otherwise, Farrar highlighted her work on legislation to abolish the death penalty, LGBTQ rights and craft beer. She served during the recent legislative session on the judicial andcivil jurisprudence and natural resources committees. Houston City Councilwoman Karla Cisneros said in a text she is not considering a run for Farrar’s House District 148, which overlaps with Cisneros’ District H seat.
Several of Farrar’s colleagues weighed in on her retirement, including Grand Prairie state Rep. Chris Turner, chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus.
“For 25 years, Rep. Farrar has been an outstanding leader for her district, the city of Houston, and the state of Texas,” Turner said in a statement. “She is a lifelong champion for important issues, from women’s health care to public education and voting rights.”
State Rep. Alma Allen, D-Houston, tweeted at Farrar: “I wish my desk mate the best as she enjoys the retired life. You’ve definitely earned it, but there are big shoes to fill in HD 148.”
Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa said Farrar had a “profound and everlasting” impact on Texas’ political and legislative history.
“In 12 legislative sessions, over two decades, Texas Democrats have been able to count on State Rep. Jessica Farrar to stand proudly and bravely against dangerous Republican attacks on Texas’ working families,” Hinojosa said.