WACO (March 8, 2010)—State Sen. Kip Averitt, R-Waco, announced Monday he is resigning effective on March 17.

Averitt, R-Waco, withdrew as a candidate for reelection in January, but he made the announcement after the filing deadline for March 2 Republican primary, so his name remained on the ballot, and last Tuesday evening he coasted to an early victory over Darren Yancy of Burleson.

“Your vote of confidence last Tuesday, election day, was most gratifying. I am humbled by your support,” Averitt said in a statement posted Monday on his Senate Web site.

“Serving you, our friends, and our neighbors has been my highest honor and greatest privilege,” Averitt said.

“I thank you for your continued support of my decision to step away from public office after 17 years of service.

“I will now work on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and spending time with my children,” he said.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst praised Averitt in a statement released late Monday afternoon.

"Senator Averitt has done an outstanding job representing his district with dedication and integrity and has always put the best interests of Texas first. I want to thank him for his leadership and most importantly, his friendship, and I wish him all the very best in the future," Dewhurst said.

Averitt said last month his abrupt and surprising decision to withdraw was out of concern for his health.

“I have diabetes and high blood pressure, and my doctor has advised me that I am a walking heart attack,” Averitt said in the statement.

“While I have tried to regulate my health with diet, exercise and medication, my doctor has unequivocally recommended that reducing stress is a key component of my treatment. My family and I thank you for your thoughts and prayers."

Averitt, 55, has served in the Texas Senate since 2002 and the Texas House for nearly a decade before that.

He is chairman of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and has taken the lead in pushing legislation aimed at protecting the water quality and water supplies in the state.

He said the timing of his resignation will allow Gov. Rick Perry to call a special election in May to fill the remainder of Averitt’s term.

Republican and Democratic Party county chairman from each of the counties in the Senate district, however, will chose candidates to run for the seat in November.

The term, however, will be only for two years, McLennan County Democratic Party Chairman John Cullar said, because of redistricting, which will require everyone to run again in 2012.

Former Sen. David Sibley of Waco, whom Averitt succeeded in the State Senate, issued a statement Monday evening in which he said he had been approached about again seeking the seat.

“Many in the District have asked about my interest in the position and I am honored they would consider me,” Sibley said.

“In my discussions with supporters and Republican county chairs I have heard a lot about the need for conservative, effective, common-sense government and look forward to continuing these conversations in the coming days,” he said.