Republican Stefani Carter is dropping her 2014 bid for railroad commissioner and says she will instead seek a third term in her state House district.
Carter's exit on Tuesday comes less than a month after a coveted speaker slot at the Conservative Political Action Conference in St. Louis, where Gov. Rick Perry also delivered remarks.
Carter thanked her supporters and said she was encouraged by constituents to stay in her district.
Her change of plans is also a blow to Republican diversity in statewide 2014 races. The vast majority of the best-known Republicans seeking top offices are white and male. Carter in 2010 became the first black Republican woman elected to the Texas House.
Wayne Christian, Ray Keller and Malachi Boyuls remain in the running for railroad commissioner.
