With lawmakers at the congressional and state level both up for election in 2018, several big developments have already taken place. After 17 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Rep. Ted Poe, R-Humble, announced Nov. 7 he would not seek re-election in 2018. Representing U.S. District 2, Poe serves parts of Cy-Fair, the Lake Houston area, Spring, Montrose and the Medical Center near downtown Houston. “I am looking forward to spending more time in Texas, especially with my 12 grandkids who have all been born since I was first elected to Congress,” he said in a statement. “I am proud of the work that my office has accomplished: giving crime victims a voice, helping to combat human trafficking, and fighting for our constitutional rights and individual liberty.” Poe served on the House Judiciary Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee as chairman of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade. He was elected in 2004 after serving for 22 years as a criminal court judge in Houston. Poe also spent eight years in the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. Poe’s decision came on the heels of a six-month battle with leukemia. He announced that he was in remission in January. The filing deadline for candidates was Monday, Dec. 11. A total of 14 candidates are confirmed to have filed for Poe’s seat in the upcoming primary election. Republican candidate filings were confirmed with the Harris County Republican Party. Democrat candidate filings were confirmed with the Texas Secretary of State. All filings will be updated to reflect any additions by Dec. 21, the deadline for parties to provide their complete lists to the Secretary of State. Primary elections take place March 6, and general elections take place Nov. 6. Find a list of the candidates who will be on the ballot this March below: