State House District 71 Rep. Stan Lambert, R-Abilene, announced Thursday he will not seek another term in the Texas House of Representatives.
“Serving the people of District 71 in the Texas Legislature has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Lambert said in a press release. “Since first being elected in 2016, I’ve worked each day to serve with integrity, listen closely to the voices of my constituents, and champion the values and priorities that matter most to the Big Country.”
Lambert said in the press release he will serve out his present term.
Lambert is an Abilene native, according to his Legislature profile. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business from Abilene Christian University in 1975 and a graduate certification in banking from the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking.
District 71 state Rep. Stan Lambert answers questions during a town hall meeting Wednesday at the Community Foundation of Abilene Dec. 11, 2024. Lambert answered questions about the upcoming state legislative session and his votes in the House Speaker’s race before it.
Upon completion, Lambert began a long career in community banking, according to the profile. He was athletic director at Abilene Christian University and spent 35 years in the banking industry.
“I look forward to spending more time with my family and finding new ways to give back to the community that has given me so much,” Lambert said in the release.
Lambert’s time in the Legislature has been marked with controversy.
The Texas Tribune reported he voted to impeach Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on charges of corruption and bribery and opposed a school voucher proposal that was among Gov. Greg Abbott’s top legislative priorities.
Paxton and Abbott endorsed his opponent in the Republican primary in 2024 as did Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, the Tribune reported Feb. 22, 2024. Lambert won both the primary and the general elections.
In Thursday’s press release, Lambert expressed gratitude for his time serving in the Legislature.
“President George H.W. Bush once said, ‘Public service is a noble calling, and we need men and women of character to believe in their communities, in their states, and in their country,'” Lambert said.
He said he was “profoundly grateful” for having been able to answer the call.
“Having been born and raised in Abilene, I’ve always believed in the strength, grit, and resilience of our West Texas communities,” Lambert said. “I’ve fought to strengthen public education, protect our water resources, invest in rural infrastructure, and ensure Texas remains a place where families can build a strong future.”
He thanked his fellow lawmakers, his staff, his constituents and his wife Debbie.
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This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Abilene lawmaker announces retirement from Texas Legislature
