Wentworth Rides Again

Wentworth (Photo by John Anderson)

Veteran state Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio – whose district includes parts of South Austin – announced this week he will run for re-election in 2012. "I am running for re-election to continue to fight for our district and to preserve the Texas way of life of conservative freedoms with no state income tax," he said. Of course, that district will be a bit different from the one he currently represents, thanks to redistricting. But it's still unsettled as to exactly how it will be shaped – all of the maps that passed the 82nd Legislature are currently under court challenge (see "Riding the Pinwheel"). If upheld, Wentworth's District 25 will include much less of Austin than it does now. Basically, neighborhoods along South Lamar, Manchaca Road, and the northern part of Brodie Lane, as well as the communities of Creedmoor and Mustang Ridge, were removed from District 25, while Oak Hill and San Leanna remain. The announcement presumably puts to rest speculation about Wentworth's retirement. Last year, Wentworth applied for but did not get the job as chancellor of the Texas State University System, and he also considered taking a job as a vice chancellor with the Texas A&M University System.