In his retirement announcement, Rep. Ted Poe said he's in "good health" and plans to continue pursuing his interests after leaving office. | Andrew Harnik/AP Photo Texas Republican Ted Poe won't seek reelection in 2018 'I am grateful for the honor and privilege to represent the best people in America, Texas’s Second Congressional District,' Poe said in a statement on his official Twitter account.

Seven-term Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas) said Tuesday he will not seek reelection in 2018, the latest in a string of GOP lawmakers to announce their retirements recently.

Poe, a former prosecutor and judge, won reelection in 2016 in the solidly conservative 2nd Congressional District by nearly 30 points, but said he was ready to move on.


"I am grateful for the honor and privilege to represent the best people in America, Texas’s Second Congressional District," Poe said in a statement on his official Twitter account.

Poe, 69, announced last summer he had been diagnosed with Leukemia. But in his retirement announcement, the lawmaker said he's in "good health" and plans to continue pursuing his interests after leaving office.

In the past week, two other Texas Republicans, Reps. Lamar Smith and Jeb Hensarling, also said they would leave Congress after this term.