Houston Republican Janek Resigns From Senate Seat

By JIM VERTUNO Associated Press Writer

AUSTIN (AP) – Sen. Kyle Janek, a Houston Republican who helped create Texas’ new high steroids testing program, said Tuesday he will resign his seat in June, citing a desire to spend more time with his wife and three young children.

Janek, an anesthesiologist, spent eight years in the state House before he was first elected to the Senate in 2002. He won re-election in 2006. Janek was instrumental in the 2007 passage of the high school steroids tests bill first touted by fellow Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst.

The $6 million program is expected to begin next month. Janek, who appeared to choke up several times during his 10-minute news conference, was joined by his wife Shannon, his sons Ryan, 9, Will, 7 and Luke, 3, and his father and brother.

“I’ve had a great 13 years at the Capitol. I showed up with no wife, no kids, no gray hair, no glasses and no hearing aid,” he said. “Now look at me.” Janek said his legislative duties had taken too much time away from his family.

“I stole some time from Shannon and the boys and I’m going to pay it back to them,” Janek said. Janek has bought a house in Austin and the family will live there. He said he may join a group of anesthesiologists to continue his medical practice.

Asked if he planned become a lobbyist for the 2009 Legislative session, Janek said, “I do not know what I’m going to be doing next session … I’ve enjoyed practicing medicine.”

Texas allows former lawmakers to become lobbyists as soon as they leave office, a fairly common practice that critics chide as a revolving door from the Capitol to big money.

Janek initially intended to resign in March, but said Tuesday he would postpone his departure until after May 10, when a special election to fill the seat could have been held.

The next uniform election date would be the Nov. 4 general election. Secretary of state spokesman Scott Haywood said Gov. Rick Perry could set a special election before then if the governor deems it an emergency.

Janek said a short campaign wouldn’t be fair to candidates and voters in District 17, which represents parts of Harris, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Chambers and Jefferson counties.

“There’s some good folks who I hope will step up and run for this seat,” he said. Although Republicans consider the district to be solid GOP territory, state Democrats said Janek’s resignation may open the door for them to win the seat.

Once Janek departs, Republicans will hold a 19-11 majority in the Senate. Janek did not have a Democratic opponent in 2006 and easily won re-election with 78 percent of the vote against a Libertarian challenger.

An election without an incumbent Republican could change things, said Democratic Party spokeswoman Amber Moon. “The (party) is taking a long and serious look at this district,” Moon said.

“It’s unplowed but very fertile territory.” Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, the Republican who presides over the Senate, said Janek will be missed but that he understands his desire to spend more time with family.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)