Jared Ryker Woodfill V | |
|---|---|
 Jared Woodfill | |
| Chairman of the Republican Party of Harris County (Houston), Texas | |
| In office 2002–2014 | |
| Preceded by | Gary M. Polland |
| Succeeded by | Paul Simpson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Houston, Texas, United States |
| Political party | Republican |
| Residence(s) | Houston, Texas |
| Alma mater | Clear Lake HS University of Texas St. Mary's University Law |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
| Website | Woodfill Law Firm |
Jared Ryker Woodfill V (born ) is an American lawyer who served as chairman of the Republican Party in Harris County, Texas from 2002 to 2014. He was elected to six consecutive two-year terms during his tenure.
Background
A native of Houston, Woodfill graduated from Clear Lake High School before earning his bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He received his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from St. Mary's University School of Law in San Antonio.[1]
Legal career
Woodfill was a partner at the firm of Woodfill and Pressler LLP where he worked alongside former state judge Paul Pressler.[2] In 2018, he received a public reprimand from the State Bar of Texas relating to supervisory failures at his firm and paid required fees.[3]
Political career
Harris County GOP chairman
As chairman of the Harris County Republican Party from 2002-2014, Woodfill promoted conservative values which was controversial to some local Republicans.[4] He faced allegations of fiscal mismanagement in 2010 but won a contested reelection.[5] In 2014, he lost the chairmanship after being heavily outspent.[4]
Texas GOP campaigns
After leaving the county role, Woodfill unsuccessfully sought the chairmanship of the Texas Republican Party in 2015 and 2016 on a conservative platform.[6][7]
In 2023, Woodfill announced his campaign to become a State Representative for House District 138 and Speaker of the Texas House.[8] Woodfill's campaign website touts his opposition to COVID-19 mandates and his support of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.[9]
Recent activities
After leaving his county position, Woodfill stayed active in conservative politics and causes in Texas.
Houston Equal Rights Ordinance
Woodfill has been at the forefront of anti-LGBTQ+ movements in both Houston and the state of Texas. In 2015, Woodfill played a key role in defeating an ordinance that would have extended equal rights protections to LGBTQ+ Houstonians, during which he compared gay people to Nazis and helped popularize “groomer” rhetoric.[10][11]
Election lawsuits
Woodfill represented plaintiffs challenging drive-through voting and early voting extensions in 2020 Harris County lawsuits. The legal efforts were unsuccessful but highlighted important issues.[12][13]
Vaccine lawsuit
In 2021, Woodfill represented Houston hospital employees in an unsuccessful lawsuit against the hospital's COVID vaccine mandate. He argued the mandate raised important medical freedom issues.[14]
References
- ↑ Welch, Jackie (July 22, 2013). "Woodfill guest speaker at San Jacinto Republican Women's meeting". Pasadena Citizen.
- ↑ Downen, Robert (February 6, 2019). "Lawsuit against ex-judge, Southern Baptist churches drawing to a close". Houston Chronicle.
- ↑ Downen, Robert; Olsen, Lise (November 13, 2018). "Theft, money laundering allegations sparked raid at Woodfill law office". Houston Chronicle.
- 1 2 Collier, Kiah (March 4, 2014). "Challenger wins GOP chair race". Houston Chronicle.
- ↑ Moran, Chris (December 18, 2009). "Claims of missing cash fuel race for Harris GOP chair". Houston Chronicle.
- ↑ Rosenthal, Brian (March 8, 2015). "Tom Mechler elected new leader of Texas Republican Party". Houston Chronicle.
- ↑ Svitek, Patrick (February 17, 2016). "Mechler, Woodfill Square Off Again to Lead GOP". Texas Tribune.
- ↑ Downen, Robert (November 17, 2023). "Prominent anti-LGBTQ+ activist Jared Woodfill running for Texas House". The Texas Tribune.
- ↑ {url=http://www.woodfillfortexas.com}
- ↑ Downen, Robert (November 17, 2023). "Prominent anti-LGBTQ+ activist Jared Woodfill running for Texas House". The Texas Tribune.
- ↑ Moyer, Justin (November 4, 2015). "Why Houston's gay rights ordinance failed: Fear of men in women's bathrooms". Washington Post.
- ↑ Snyder, Mike (November 23, 2020). "Record Turnout Helped Texas Republicans, So Why Are They Still Pushing to Make It Harder to Vote?". Texas Monthly.
- ↑ Merchant, Nomaan (November 3, 2020). "Judge rejects GOP effort to throw out 127,000 Houston votes". Associated Press.
- ↑ Hawkins, Derek (May 29, 2021). "117 staffers sue over Houston hospital's vaccine mandate, saying they don't want to be 'guinea pigs'". Washington Post.