State Rep. Frank Buck, D, Dowelltown, is retiring from office.

Frank, an ornery cuss, is one of my all-time favorite legislators. He is a true maverick and and represents the best of the old-time Southern Democrats. He will almost certainly be replaced by a Republican, further narrowing the balance of power in the last Democratic bastion.

When I worked the legislature, I beat him up pretty bad on women's issues, but over time, I came to admire him and we became friends.

Damn, I'll miss him.

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