*Lamar Smith quitting Congress; second Texas GOP chairman in two days *

[SummerSnow]

WASHINGTON -- San Antonio Rep. Lamar Smith announced Thursday that he will leave Congress at the end of his current term.

He chairs the House science committee, and under GOP rules would hit a six-year term limit at the end of 2018.

“I love my job. There’s nothing else I’d rather be doing, but with chairmanship ending, second grandchild arriving...” he said in a brief conversation at the House.

Dallas Rep. Jeb Hensarling announced Wednesday that he will retire from Congress. Like Smith, he's a powerful chairman -- he leads the Financial Services Committee, which oversees the banking industry -- and would have to give up that post at the end of his current term.
Smith has long been a leading voice among immigration and border security hard liners. He has chaired the ethics and judiciary committees.

https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2017/11/02/lamar-smith-quitting-congress-second-texas-gop-chairman-two-days

* I smell fear of Bannon

[superpatriotman]

1. Do Democrats have a chance in either district?

Or do they stay red?

[trc]

7. Smith's district is remarkably white gerymander.

Stretches from southern Austin into northern San Antonio, diluting the Hispanic vote in the process. 57 percent white, 29 Hispanic

[Achilleaze]

2. They don't want to have to defend Comrade Casino* & Cronies

* republican Draft-Dodger-in-Chief & Bigly TreasonWeasel who betrayed America.

[Wellstone ruled]

3. Smith will land a Major Wall Street Lobbying Job

that most likely,double or triple his paydays.

[gratuitous]

4. Any word on whether his family wants to spend more time with him?

That's a couple of times this week that subject line has auto-filled.

[smirkymonkey]

5. What's going on here?

I'm not that familiar w/ Texas politics.

[lapfog_1]

6. Bannon was defanged today

Mercer is withdrawing his support and gave his interest in Brietbart to his kids.

I think he is looking at some serious fines and possible jail time related to his hedge fund (where he also stepped down as a managing partner).

So I don't think the KKKGOPers need to worry about Bannon supporting (with money) the more extreme right wing kooks.

[MineralMan]

8. Buh-Bye, Lamar

And good riddance to bad rubbish.