State Sen. Kip Averitt’s decision to formally resign his office after readily vanquishing opponent Darren Yancy in last week’s GOP primary election has increased the likelihood that former Waco Mayor and former state Sen. David Sibley may seek to reclaim his old seat. Central Texans should be glad he’s interested.

“Many in the district have asked about my interest in the position, and I am honored they would consider me,” Sibley said in a statement. “In my discussions with supporters and Republican county chairs, I have heard a lot about the need for conservative, effective, common-sense government and look forward to continuing these conversations in the coming days.”

True, we’ve not always agreed with Sibley on policies, including electricity deregulation — something he helped engineer. But Sibley long ago earned the respect of his colleagues in the Senate for his ability to work with others in crafting solutions — and the Senate will absolutely be no place for neophytes in 2011, not with issues like redistricting and a budget shortfall of up to $15 billion on the agenda.

Averitt’s decision to step down because of health problems could bring other vibrant candidates out for the May 8 special election. The victor would serve only the rest of this year, the remainder of Averitt’s current term. However, the winner of this spring’s election also presumably would stand tall as a viable candidate for the fall election, for which county chairs in the district will select a Republican and a Democrat to run.

Sibley could be counted on to watch out for Senate District 22’s considerable interests during a rough-and-tumble legislative session heavily devoted to the ever-thorny issue of redistricting. Senior lawmakers from outlying areas may have designs on carving up a district like ours, so rich in population along the fast-growing Interstate 35 corridor — especially when some other districts are in decline.

Sibley also could come in handy as lawmakers begin heavy lifting over what to do about a shortfall in next year’s budget that just this week was estimated to be anywhere from $11 billion to $15 billion. That doesn’t count the $1.7 billion shortfall in the current budget caused by such grim realities as more out-of-work Texans seeking help from Medicaid and the spiraling health coverage needs of state employees.

Decisions facing lawmakers may require experience in how the legislative process works, how the state generates its revenue and what services we can do without if need be. Other candidates may be ripe for this job, too, but Sibley’s interest is a positive sign. Who knows? Maybe he can fix the problems some of us have with deregulation.