Royce West

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
Incumbent
Assumed office January 12, 1993
Preceded by	Eddie Bernice Johnson
Personal details
Born	Royce Barry West (1952-09-26) September 26, 1952 (age 70) Annapolis, Maryland, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Carol
Education	University of Texas at Arlington (BA, MA) University of Houston (JD)

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]

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]

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). . 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. 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. "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.

External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Royce West.

• Profile at the Texas Senate
• Royce West for Texas Senate
• Project Vote Smart - Senator Royce West (TX) profile
• Follow the Money - Royce West
  • 2006 2004 2002 1998 campaign contributions
• Appearances on C-SPAN

Texas Senate
Preceded by Eddie Bernice Johnson	Member of the Texas Senate from the 23rd district 1993–present	Incumbent
Preceded by Frank L. Madla	President pro tempore of the Texas Senate 2006–2007	Succeeded by Mario Gallegos Jr.