Hello, Mr. West

Rep. Buddy West, the self-described old oilfield roustabout, became a Permian Basin political pillar in the 1990s, and the leadership continues with aw-shucks appeal and folksy, next-door-neighbor congeniality.

Despite recent major kidney dysfunction and health worries, it’s an incumbency for the 70-year-old grandfather of eight that may not end this term — as once believed.

The eight-term state representative has the longest tenure ever of any Odessa legislator, and West’s recent session best characterizes an up-and-down career that saw him once described as “used furniture” in the magazine Texas Monthly.

The 80th legislative session started with a political snafu with district neighbor, House Speaker Tom Craddick of Midland. West’s speaker election procedural votes didn’t jibe with his public commitment to Craddick’s camp. Political analysts have argued the vote ultimately cost West his Energy Resources Committee chairmanship.

But the session triumphantly ended with West’s homespun defense of funding for his alma mater, UTPB.

A Field of Dreams, he called the school. A member of the first classes at the university in 1973, West said he wouldn’t have returned to finish his degree if UTPB didn’t open.

Later, he received a framed copy of his speech as a thank you from UTPB president David Watts. It hangs on West’s wall.

He could walk away from Austin amid one of his highest hours — following an impassioned speech where he announced eminent retirement and received a standing ovation from his peers.

“Y’all may forgive me if I get a little choked up, up here,” he began the swan song. “This could very well be the last time I stand at this mic.”

But he ended the five-minute-and-56-second speech, desiring a statehouse return.

“I hope everything works out where I can run again and be back here,” he said.

West said his kidneys were at 30 percent efficiency during the speech. Bloated with fluid, he first discovered his ailment two years ago when he couldn’t move his fingers — they were so swollen.

But in five weeks since the session’s end, he’s lost 40 pounds of fluid, he said, and his health improved enough that he’s changed his outlook on seeking re-election.

“I think I will right now,” West said. “If you’d asked me 30 days ago …”

Traditionally, West officially announces his election bid in December when campaign filing opens. However if his doctors advise him before then that he shouldn’t run, he said he may announce those intentions earlier.

“I believe very much in the power of prayer,” West said. “… If he keeps this door open, I’m going to go through it.

“As long as the doctors say I’m fine, I’m fine,” he later added. “If he says you don’t need to be running, that will weigh a lot.”

Possible candidates have emerged with West’s undetermined political future. Ector County Independent School District trustee Randy Rives continues to debate a campaign.

In an exploratory phase, Rives, a Republican, said West’s decision would factor into his own.

“When you’re running against an incumbent, that’s a whole different ballgame than running for an open seat,” Rives said.

On the Democratic side, John Wilkins, the former ECISD athletic director and legendary Permian High football coach, said he would not run if West sought the 81st district seat again.

“I think the majority of people, at least from the business community, definitely support him,” Wilkins said.

West didn’t face a Democrat in his last re-election campaign.

West would like his wife, Shirley, to run in his place if he can’t continue, she said. But Shirley West isn’t sure she’ll run because she’d only be campaigning if her husband’s health prevented him from running.

Under physician’s advice, West doesn’t travel. His monthlong “visit” to Odessa is his lengthiest in 15 years, he said — 15 years happens to be his Austin tenure.

He enjoys the “piddling around,” as he put it. He’s settled into the R&R-filled summer around his grandchildren. It’s a change of pace after a tumultuous session filled with political fighting over Craddick’s seat atop the House.

It’s a newfound home time typically afforded 70-year-olds, but the draw of politics and making that change in his constituents’ lives is hard for West to abandon.

“Yes, it’s worth it,” he said. “Anything worth doing — you have your ups and downs.”