Royce_West
Royce West
American politician
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.
Royce West | |
|---|---|
| President pro tempore of the Texas Senate | |
| In office April 17, 2006 – January 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Frank L. Madla |
| Succeeded by | Mario Gallegos Jr. |
| Member of the Texas Senate from the 23rd district | |
| Assumed office January 12, 1993 | |
| Preceded by | Eddie Bernice Johnson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Royce Barry West (1952-09-26) September 26, 1952 (age 71) Annapolis, Maryland, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Carol |
| Education | University of Texas, Arlington (BA, MA) University of Houston (JD) |
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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]
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]
Legal career
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]
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2018
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Royce West (Incumbent) | 192,148 | 100.00 | ||
| Majority | 192,148 | 100.00 | |||
| Turnout | 192,148 | ||||
| Democratic hold | |||||
2014
| 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
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| 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
| 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
| 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
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| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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 | |||||
| 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 | |||
- 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.
- "The Honorable Royce West's Biography". The HistoryMakers. Retrieved 2020-04-19.
- "Royce West for US Senate | Meet Royce West for US Senate". Royce West. Retrieved 2020-04-19.
- 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.
- "Senator Royce West: District 23". The Texas Senate. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
- "West Honored as Governor for a Day". The Texas Senate. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
- Samuels, Alex (22 July 2019). "State Sen. Royce West enters Democratic primary to challenge John Cornyn". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
- Svitek, Patrick (15 July 2020). "MJ Hegar defeats Royce West in Democratic runoff for U.S. Senate". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- Thomas, Neil (9 August 2017). "Are lawmakers' business ties with public entities a conflict of interest?". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
- Schutze, Jim (22 May 2009). "Look, It Has Always Paid to Be Royce West". Dallas Observer. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
- "2018 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2019-07-23.
- "2014 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2019-07-23.
- "2012 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2019-07-23.
- "2008 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2019-07-23.
- "2004 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2019-07-23.
- "2002 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2019-07-23.
- "1998 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2019-07-23.
- "1994 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2019-07-23.
- "1992 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2019-07-23.
- "1992 Democratic Party Primary Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2019-07-23.
- Profile at the Texas Senate
- Royce West for Texas Senate
- Project Vote Smart - Senator Royce West (TX) profile
- Follow the Money - Royce West
- Appearances on C-SPAN
- Archived Texas Senate Profile
| Texas Senate | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of the Texas Senate from the 23rd district 1993–present |
Incumbent |
| Preceded by | President pro tempore of the Texas Senate 2006–2007 |
Succeeded by |