After 25 years, Rep. Woods retiring from Legislature due to health

BYHALIA — State Rep. Tommy Woods, a Republican from Byhalia, is retiring from the Mississippi House after 25 years.

Woods told the Commercial Appeal he made his decision to retire after consulting with his physicians. He suffered a stroke Dec. 26.

Woods was re-elected in November to a seventh term serving House District 52 district that includes parts of DeSoto and Marshall counties.

While he has largely recovered, the 78-year-old Woods says the demands of the office are so stressful that he decided to step down. He said he has not yet decided on an effective date for his resignation.

Once Woods settles on a date, Gov. Phil Bryant will set the date for a special election in House District 52.