Driver Won't Seek Re-Election To Texas House
GARLAND (AP) - Rep. Joe Driver plans to retire from the Texas House after serving nearly two decades in Austin.
The Republican from Garland, who faces a criminal investigation over travel reimbursements, announced Thursday that he will not seek re-election in 2012.
Driver drew attention last year after The Associated Press reported on his use of travel funds, leading to a Travis County investigation.
Driver acknowledged that for years he collected reimbursements from taxpayers for travel he'd already paid for using donated campaign money. Driver said he didn't know he was doing anything wrong, but later reimbursed his campaign $49,426.
The 65-year-old legislator and insurance company owner, who was first elected in 1992, says he plans to return to his private life.
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