Kirk Watson Resigns From Texas Senate

Kirk Watson, Austin's well-liked former mayor and its District 14 rep in the Texas Senate since 2006, announced today that he'll be stepping down from the job to become the Founding Dean of the University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs.

In a morning press release, Watson explained that he gave his notice to Gov. Greg Abbott this morning, although he'll stay in the job until April 30, 2020: "This should allow a reasonable amount of time before a special election and minimize the time that Senate District 14 will be without a senator."

Watson further expounded on his reasons for leaving, future plans, and thoughts on his successor at an 11am press conference. (See "Kirk Watson Begins His Long Goodbye.")

Read Watson's full statement below.

I have the extraordinary opportunity to be the Founding Dean of the University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs. This is a chance to build a world-class public affairs and policy school essentially from the ground up. It is transformative work at a creative and ambitious university, located in one of the country’s largest and most diverse cities.

I love the people of Austin and Central Texas. They’ve encouraged, supported and inspired me for decades. I thank them for their trust, for electing me Mayor and State Senator, and for allowing and inviting me, time and again, to participate and play a role in their lives. Together, we have navigated big transitions and created things that will improve the lives of Central Texans for generations. I’m proud of our many very real successes. I also have loved serving both as Mayor and in the Texas Senate. Only a unique opportunity to serve this state — and a compelling platform for that service — would cause me to leave.

The Hobby School of Public Affairs will help define and will be a leader in 21st Century public policy education. It will significantly influence and shape public affairs discussions, activities and outcomes at every level of government and across the private and non-profit sectors. It is humbling to get to help build and shape such a transformative institution. And it is thrilling to get to do it in Houston, with its far-reaching role in health care, energy, education, culture and other areas that are central to life in Texas and beyond. The city provides a tremendous point of leverage for the school’s vision — and the urgency to realize it.

Today, I’ve informed Governor Abbott that I’m resigning from the Texas Senate, effective midnight, April 30, 2020. My last day in office will be April 30, 2020. This should allow a reasonable amount of time before a special election and minimize the time that Senate District 14 will be without a senator. It will also give a reasonable amount of time for the next senator to prepare for the 2021 legislative session and for me to prepare to start the Fall Semester as the Founding Dean of the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston.

Again, I say thank you to the people of Austin and Central Texas for all they have given me as I undertake this exciting new public service role.