Gary Gates (politician)
Gary Gates | |
---|---|
Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 28th district | |
Assumed office January 29, 2020 | |
Preceded by | John Zerwas |
Personal details | |
Born | Gary Wilton Gates Jr. July 22, 1959 |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Melissa |
Children | 13 |
Residence(s) | Richmond, Texas, U.S. |
Alma mater | Rogers State University |
Occupation | Real estate |
Website | Campaign website |
Gary Wilton Gates Jr. (born July 22, 1959) is a Texas businessman and a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives for House District 28, which is located in Fort Bend County in the southwest Houston metro area.[1][2]
Texas House of Representatives
On January 28, 2020, Gates won the
After the election, the Republicans criticized the Democrats as overplaying their hand in the Gates special election; while the Democrats pointed to unique aspects of the campaign, specifically Gates' ability to self-fund his campaign.[3] Gates spent about $1.8 million of his own money on the campaign.[9][10] Markowitz was given political donations from Forward Majority for $420,000, Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee for $170,000, and State Representative Celia Israel's Texas House Democrat Campaign Committee of $120,000.[9]
Turnout for the special runoff election was very high and possibly historic since there were over 30,000 voters, a 20 percent turnout which is the highest in Texas since at least 1992.[11] Gates defeated a Republican opponent, small business owner Michelle D. "Schell" Hammel of Katy, in the March 3, 2020 primary, receiving 95% of the vote.[12][13] Gates will face Markowitz again in November 2020 in the general election.[12][3]
Gates supports a ban on Democrats being given committee chairmanships as long as the Republicans hold the majority of seats.[14]
Personal life
Gates lives in Richmond, Texas, a suburb of Houston southwest of the city, with his wife, Melissa, and his 13 children, of whom 11 are adopted.[15][16]
References
- ^ "Gates Wins Closely Watched Texas House 28 Race Over Markowitz". Sugar Land, TX Patch. 2020-01-28. Retrieved 2020-01-29.
- ^ "GOP wins closely watched Texas special election". ABC News. Retrieved 2020-01-29.
- ^ Texas Tribune. Austin, Texas. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
- ^ Svitek, Patrick (January 29, 2020). "Republican Gary Gates handily beats Democrat Eliz Markowitz in Texas House District 28 runoff". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
- New York, New York. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
- Houston, Texas. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
- ^ Egan, Lauren. Republican projected to beat Democrat for Texas state House, in race watched for 2020 clues, NBC News, January 28, 2020.
- ^ a b Weber, Paul J. Democrats' early 2020 blitz to strike in Texas flops, CBS Austin-KEYE TV, January 29, 2020.
- ^ a b Taylor, MaKenzie. The Back Mic: Big Spenders in the House District 28 Special Election, The Texan, Austin, Texas, January 31, 2020.
- ^ Weber, Paul J. GOP wins closely watched Texas special election, Associated Press, January 28, 2020.
- ^ Miller, Justin (January 29, 2020). "What the GOP's Big Win in Fort Bend County Means for 2020". The Texas Observer. Austin, Texas. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
- ^ a b Para, Jen. Gary Gates wins 2020 Republican primary for House District 28 seat, Community Impact, March 4, 2020.
- Texas Tribune, March 3, 2020.
- ^ Johnson, Brad. The Back Mic: Legislators Opposed to Democratic Chairs Listed, Rep. Moody Quells DA Appointment Rumors, House Rules Discussed, The Texan, December 9, 2022.
- Texas TribuneApril 28, 2016.
- ^ Tyer, Brad. A Father's Retribution, Houston Press, October 5, 2000.