Charles CurtissNASHVILLE - One of the Tennessee House's top remaining conservatives, state Rep. Charles Curtiss, D-Sparta, won't seek reelection next year to his largely rural House seat, says House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh, D-Ripley.
"I will miss my friend and I wish him and his family the best in their future endeavors," Fitzhugh said of Curtiss, whose district includes Grundy County.
Curtiss has spent nearly two decades in the House and formerly chaired key committees like the Commerce Committee and Fiscal Review Committee.
A former Marine, Curtiss has been a staunch opponent of abortion, but his pro-business views in recent years have put him at odds with labor union leaders on issues like Republican Gov. Bill Haslam's workers compensation overhaul, which Curtiss backed.
Labor officials said this year they will not support Curtiss' future campaigns.
That came as Republicans show increasing strength in Curtiss' Cumberland Plateau district. He narrowly won reelection in 2012.