Longtime State Rep. Joe Deshotel confirms to KFDM/Fox 4 he is retiring when his term is over at the end of 2022.
It's a story KFDM/Fox 4 broke Tuesday night on social media.
"I'm engaged, my son is having a baby, I'll have my first grandchild," Deshotel told KFDM/Fox 4 by phone Tuesday evening. "I need to commit myself to personal things. 30 years in public service, including about eight on Beaumont Council, it's time to spend some 'Joe time.' I still like what I do in the Texas Legislature, it's something I'd continue to enjoy doing, but it's best to get out when you're doing well."
Deshotel counts this past session as one of his most successful, helping pass legacy legislation dealing with Eminent Domain.
"In January 2023, the new Texas House members will be sworn in," said Deshotel. "I'll do mostly constituent work until then because we won't have another session."
The longtime Democratic party lawmaker who represents the Beaumont-Port Arthur area told us the Texas House has changed a lot over the years.
"It's not the House it was 22 years ago," said Deshotel. "The legislature is a different body these days. It's a lot more contentious. It's not what it used to be. I can deal with that. The retirement is more personal. I want to spend some time with my family, do some traveling. I'll probably move to Houston where my fiance lives. She's very successful. I'll do some business work there."
Deshotel says he'll definitely miss the work for his constituents and helping improve their lives.
"I have a lot of respect for my colleagues and my constituents," said Deshotel.
From State Rep. Joe Deshotel website: JOSEPH DWAIN DESHOTEL
Deshotel represents the 22nd Legislative District, which comprises most of Jefferson County. He is an attorney, businessman and life-long resident of Beaumont. Having served in the Texas Legislature for the past 20 years Deshotel has developed a mastery of the legislative process and having served on the leadership teams of the current and previous speaker, he has a working relationship with a vast array of business sectors of Texas. Below is his most recent appointments within the Texas House of Representatives:
In the 80th Legislative Session, Representative Deshotel was appointed to serve as Chairman of the House Economic Development Committee. This committee assignment ensures that job creation and the increased vitalization of the technology industry receive proper attention during the legislative process. He was also reappointed to the Transportation Committee and the Redistricting Committee. Speaker Craddick also appointed Representative Deshotel to the Select Committee for Hurricane Ike Devastation.
In the 81st Legislative Session Representative Deshotel was appointed Chairman of the Business and Industry Committee, the Insurance Committee and the Committee on Redistricting. Both the Business and Industry and Insurance have significant impact on the Texas economy.
In the 82nd Legislative Session Representative Deshotel retained his Chairmanship of the Business and Industry Committee and was also appointed to the Culture Recreation and Tourism Committee, formally The Parks and Wildlife Committee.
In the 83th Legislative Session Representative Deshotel was appointed Chairman of the Land and Resource Management Committee and member of the Public Education Committee where he Joint Authored House Bill 5 which made sweeping changes to Texas High School curriculum and testing. He was also appointed Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Coastal Barrier System, member of the Select Committee on Economic Development Incentives and the Select Committee on Redistricting.
In the 84th Legislative Session Representative Deshotel was reappointed Chairman of the Land and Resource Management Committee and the Public Education Committee where he successfully passed bills enhancing early childhood education. He also served on the Public Education Sub-Committee on Education Quality.
In the 85th Legislative Session Representative Deshotel was appointed to Chairmanship of the House Select Committee on Texas Ports Innovation and Infrastructure. He was a member of the Public Education; Economic and Small Business Development Committee; and Joint Committee on Coastal Barrier System.
In the 86th Legislative Session Representative Deshotel was appointed to one of the most coveted committees, the House Calendars, which gave him the opportunity to help structure the items brought to the House Floor for debate. He also serves on the Human Services Committee and State Affairs Committee. During the 86th interim, he was re-appointed to be a member of the Joint Committee on Coastal Barrier System.
Prior to serving in the legislature, Representative Deshotel served on the Beaumont City Council and was appointed by Governor Mark White to the Job Training Coordinating Council and Lamar University Board of Regents. He has a strong record as a champion of civil rights and civic responsibility, organizing Lamar University's first NAACP chapter. Joe also served as Vice-President for Administration and Legal Counsel of Lamar University-Beaumont. Representative Deshotel brings experience, insight and knowledgeable leadership to the issue of public education and economic development.
In addition to Deshotel’s legislative background he has been licensed to practice law in Texas for 35 years. His practice included personal injury, domestic relations and title insurance.
Other volunteer, elected and appointed positions:
United States Air Force Reserves. Honorable Discharge. Technical Sergeant
State Job Training Coordinating Council. Member, appointed by Governor Mark White.
Beaumont City Council. Ward 3
Beaumont City Council At-large
Mayor Pro Tem City of Beaumont
Lamar University Board of Regents, appointed by Governor Mark White (Past)
Communities in School State Board Member (Past)
Communities in School Foundation Board Member (Past)
Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission 1 st Vice-President. (Past)
Vice-President for Administration and Legal Counsel, Lamar University. Beaumont. (Past)
State Bar of Texas. Agriculture Law Committee. (Past)
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Member.
NAACP. Life Member.
Texas Association of Trial Lawyers. Member.
National Home Builders Association. Member. (Past)
Jefferson County Bar Association. Board of Directors. (Past)
National Assn of College and University Attorney's, Conference Planning Committee. (Past)
The Baptist Hospital System. Board of Advisors. (Past)
National Organization on Legal Problems in Education. (Past)
Our Mother of Mercy School. School Board President. (Past)
Our Mother of Mercy Parish Council. (Past)
Distinguished Graduate. Our Mother of Mercy School
Monsignor Kelly High School. School Board President. (Past)
Jefferson County Red Cross. Board of Directors. (Past)
Jefferson County 100 Club. Board of Directors. (Past)
Knights of Saint Peter Claver. Board of Directors. Legal Counsel (Past)
Sigma Pi Phi