Royce West
President pro tempore of the Texas Senate
In office
April 17, 2006 – January 2007
Preceded byFrank L. Madla
Succeeded byMario Gallegos Jr.
Member of the Texas Senate
from the 23rd district
Assumed office
January 12, 1993
Preceded byEddie Bernice Johnson
Personal details
Born
Royce Barry West

(1952-09-26) September 26, 1952
Annapolis, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseCarol
EducationUniversity of Texas, Arlington (BA, MA)
University of Houston (JD)

Royce Barry West (born September 26, 1952)[1] is an American politician who serves as a member of the Texas Senate, representing the Dallas-based 23rd District.

Early life and education

Royce West on the Texas–Arlington Mavericks football team, circa 1971-72

West was born in Annapolis, Maryland. He earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in sociology from the University of Texas at Arlington. As an undergraduate, he was initiated into the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. West then earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law Center.[2][3]

Career

Politics

In 1986, West ran his first campaign for public office, losing his bid for Dallas County district attorney.[4] His first successful political campaign was in 1992, when he ran for the Texas Senate, District 23 seat after the incumbent, Eddie Bernice Johnson, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.[4] From April 2006 to January 2007, West served as president pro tempore of the Texas Senate.[5] On November 18, 2006, West was Governor for a Day, a ceremonial title that honors the service of the president pro tempore.[6]

On July 22, 2019, West announced his candidacy for the United States Senate in the 2020 election for the seat held by John Cornyn.[7] He finished second in the March 3 primary, but lost the July 14 runoff to MJ Hegar.[8]

In addition to serving in the Texas Senate, West is a managing partner at the law firm West & Associates L.L.P.[5] Part of his practice involves providing bond counsel and other legal services for public entities such as Dallas Independent School District, the city of Dallas, and Dallas Area Rapid Transit.[4] West's legal services have led to concerns over possible ethics violations in his Senate work due to a conflict of interest.[4][9][10]

Electoral history

West giving a speech in 2018

2018

Texas general election, 2018: Senate District 23[11]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Royce West (Incumbent) 192,148 100.00
Majority 192,148 100.00
Turnout 192,148
Democratic hold

2014

Texas general election, 2014: Senate District 23[12]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Royce West (Incumbent) 99,102 79.39
Republican John Lawson 23,520 18.84
Libertarian Jonathan Erhardt 2,204 1.77
Majority 25,724 20.61
Turnout 124,826
Democratic hold

2012

West speaking at a pro-choice rally in 2013
Texas general election, 2012: Senate District 23[13]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Royce West (Incumbent) 187,407 81.90
Republican John Lawson 41,429 18.10
Majority 145,978 63.80
Turnout 228,836
Democratic hold

2008

Texas general election, 2008: Senate District 23[14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Royce West (Incumbent) 176,451 92.40
Libertarian Jim Renfro 14,503 7.60
Majority 161,948 84.81
Turnout 190,954
Democratic hold

2004

Texas general election, 2004: Senate District 23[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Royce West (Incumbent) 150,244 100.00 0.00
Majority 150,244 100.00 0.00
Turnout 150,244 +47.60
Democratic hold

2002

West at the University of Texas at Arlington in 2001
Texas general election, 2002: Senate District 23[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Royce West (Incumbent) 101,793 100.00 0.00
Majority 101,793 100.00 0.00
Turnout 101,793 +65.02
Democratic hold

1998

Texas general election, 1998: Senate District 23[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Royce West (Incumbent) 61,685 100.00 0.00
Majority 61,685 100.00 0.00
Turnout 61,685 -22.07
Democratic hold

1994

Texas general election, 1994: Senate District 23[18]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Royce West (Incumbent) 79,157 100.00 +10.54
Majority 79,157 100.00 +21.09
Turnout 79,157 -36.12
Democratic hold

1992

Texas general election, 1992: Senate District 23[19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Royce West 110,856 89.46
Libertarian Henry Burden 13,066 10.54
Majority 97,790 78.91
Turnout 123,922
Democratic hold
Democratic primary, 1992: Senate District 23[20]
Candidate Votes  % ±
Jerald Larry 5,963 13.88
Jesse Oliver 12,240 28.49
✓ Royce West 24,764 57.63
Majority 12,524 29.15
Turnout 42,967

References

  1. ↑ Office of the Secretary of State (Texas) (2002-09-13). "State Senate Candidates for 2002 General Election". Archived from the original on 2008-02-13. Retrieved 2006-12-27.
  2. ↑ "The Honorable Royce West's Biography". The HistoryMakers. Retrieved 2020-04-19.
  3. ↑ "Royce West for US Senate | Meet Royce West for US Senate". Royce West. Retrieved 2020-04-19.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Drew, James (7 August 2011). "Dallas Sen. Royce West's role in John Wiley Price probe still unknown". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  5. 1 2 "Senator Royce West: District 23". The Texas Senate. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  6. ↑ "West Honored as Governor for a Day". The Texas Senate. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  7. ↑ Samuels, Alex (22 July 2019). "State Sen. Royce West enters Democratic primary to challenge John Cornyn". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  8. ↑ Svitek, Patrick (15 July 2020). "MJ Hegar defeats Royce West in Democratic runoff for U.S. Senate". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  9. ↑ Thomas, Neil (9 August 2017). "Are lawmakers' business ties with public entities a conflict of interest?". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  10. ↑ Schutze, Jim (22 May 2009). "Look, It Has Always Paid to Be Royce West". Dallas Observer. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  11. ↑ "2018 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2019-07-23.
  12. ↑ "2014 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2019-07-23.
  13. ↑ "2012 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2019-07-23.
  14. ↑ "2008 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2019-07-23.
  15. ↑ "2004 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2019-07-23.
  16. ↑ "2002 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2019-07-23.
  17. ↑ "1998 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2019-07-23.
  18. ↑ "1994 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2019-07-23.
  19. ↑ "1992 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2019-07-23.
  20. ↑ "1992 Democratic Party Primary Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2019-07-23.
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