Kirk Watson steps down as Senate Democratic Caucus leader

[TexasTowelie]

Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin

State Sen. Kirk Watson said Thursday that he will step down as the leader of the Senate Democratic Caucus.

The Austin Democrat had led his party’s senators — an 11-member caucus this year, down from 12 members in 2013 — during the past two legislative sessions. There are 31 members of the Texas Senate.

“I’m ready to pass the baton to the next chair and want to do it so that the new chair has plenty of time to prepare for the upcoming election year, convention and then the next session,” Watson said in a statement.

Watson, who was Austin’s mayor from 1997 to 2001, was first elected to the Senate in 2006.

http://www.statesman.com/news/news/kirk-watson-steps-down-as-democratic-leader/nnyK6/

[Gothmog]

1. Kirk Watson is a good man

[northoftheborder]

2. I totally agree. A very fine, conscientious, public servant.

It's sad that he has never had a chance to lead a Democratic majority in the Senate. It must be frustrating as heck to have to try to deal with the idiots in power in Texas. He has always been someone who can bring together differing interests - was a really fine mayor. I've wished for a long time he would run for national office, or governor, but in the existing climate it would probably be impossible to succeed. But perhaps that might be what he is preparing for --- down the road.