Interested in Republican Party? Add Republican Party as an interest to stay up to date on the latest Republican Party news, video, and analysis from ABC News. The photo of the 68-year-old Barton was posted on an anonymous Twitter account just before Thanksgiving and Barton apologized. "I am very relieved that we do not have to fight that battle," the tea party activist said by phone after Barton's announcement. Though his seat remains safely Republican, Barton this week had drawn a little-known challenger for Texas' March primary and could have faced others.

Source: ABC News November 30, 2017 17:45 UTC