Buddy West will run again

Constant questions from supporters on his health and how it will affect his next step led State Rep. Buddy West to plan an official announcement Friday of his intent to seek re-election — a decision he normally reserves for December.

West, an Odessa Republican, put his political future into question when on the House floor he told his legislative peers that his diminishing health related to kidney dysfunction may prevent him from returning to Austin.

West’s condition improved this summer, and he re-evaluated the situation, opting to run for an unprecedented ninth term as state representative for Ector, Andrews and Winkler counties.

“I was ready to retire, but people just kept calling and calling and wanting me to run,” said, West, 70 years old and a grandfather of eight.

Five physicians have cleared West to continue his political career, West said. He sat down with his family last week before making the declaration.

“As you may know, I have had some medical concerns that I have been tending to these past few months which had given me uncertainty that my bill of health would prevent me from seeking re-election,” West said. “I am very thankful to say, that all your prayers and support have not fallen on deaf ears.”

West has rarely faced campaign opposition from either party, but with his political future uncertain since the 80th legislative session ended, many confirmed and possible opponents have surfaced.

Former district judge and Odessa attorney Tryon Lewis announced July 18 that he plans to seek the Republican nomination in March to the District 81 seat.

“If I had to make my decision now, my decision is the same,” Lewis said. “I think it’s time for me to run and offer myself in candidacy and see what the public thinks.”

Ector County Independent School District trustee Randy Rives has given multiple indications of running — see filing a campaign treasurer and holding a fund-raiser — but the Republican hasn’t publicly declared his intention to try to take over West’s seat.

“I’ll make my evaluation on what I think I can do,” Rives said. “I’m still looking at things.”

West spoke to both Lewis and Rives about his decision, and he said he encouraged them both to continue to run.

On the Democratic side, John Wilkins, the Ector County party leader, has shown interest in the position, but he previously said the difficulty of running against an incumbent could keep him from entering the race.

“At this point, I think it (running) is a long shot, but it’s certainly not entirely out of question,” he said.

West was first elected to the seat in January 1993. He said he would continue to represent the needs of West Texas and the Permian Basin.

West was enrolled in the first classes offered at UTPB, an institution he continually and proudly touts for additional state funding.