Rep. Kevin Roberts Announces Run For Poe's Congressional Seat

HOUSTON, TX — State Rep. Kevin Roberts (R-Spring), who was sworn as state representative for District 126 in January, announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for U.S. Rep Ted Poe's congressional district on Wednesday.

Poe, who has represented the 2nd Congressional District since 2005, annouced his retirement in a tweet on Tuesday afternoon.

Long an opponent of the Affordable Care Act, Poe made national headlines in March when he resigned from the House Freedom Caucus after the ultra-conservative group opposed the Republican-backed legislation to replace the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

Meanwhile, Roberts praised Poe for his leadership example and his no-nonsense and straight forward approach to any challenge his district, and the nation, faced.

Roberts said if he is elected, he will continue the conservative practices embodied by Poe's leaderhip and will also continue the push to remove and replace Obamacare, as well as strengthening the southern border and keeping the military strong.

"... there is no shortage of conservative reforms that are needed to create a stronger future for our children and nation," Roberts said in part, in his announcement.

District 126 where Roberts serves, represents the same constituents as Poe's congressional district, which makes Roberts a virtual shoo-in for the Republican nod in 2018.

In an ironic twist, Houston area businessman Sam Harless announced that he would be running in the Republican primary to replace Roberts in the state legislature.

Roberts, who won his first political race for the 126 seat, replaced Harless's wife, Patricia Harless, when she decided not to seek another term in the state legislature.

The Republican primary will held in March 2018.

Image: Official Portrait