State Representative (TX-92)

Next Election

Nov 03, 2020

Filing Window

Nov 09, 2019 - Dec 09, 2019

Description

The Texas House of Representatives is part of the bicameral Texas Legislature, comprised of 150 members, who represent various districts in the lower house. Each house member represents an average of 167,637 constituents. The house has 38 standing committees that range from defense, to homeland security, to transportation. Along with the senate, the house considers proposed laws, resolutions, and amendments, in addition to appropriation of all funds for the operation for the state government. The Speaker of the House is the leader, and is charged with preserving order, appointing members to committees, and sending bills to review. The house, as stated in the Texas Constitution, has the exclusive right to initiate all bills proposing a tax increase for the state. The house also has the exclusive responsibility of bringing impeachment charges against a state officer, while the senate is assigned to try all charges against said official. Texas senators participate in one joint committee with the house, referred to as the Legislative Budget Board. The Texas House of Representatives is unique, along with the senate, in the fact that it does not officially acknowledge majority or minority leaders. Instead, unofficial leaders (2) are elected by their respective caucus. Both the house and the senate have the ability to amend the Texas Constitution, if a joint resolution is achieved by at least two-thirds of the membership in each house. Each house member serves a two-year term. Over the two year term a Texas State Representative earns approximately $32,000 (averaging $16,000/year).

Application Guidelines
1) Contact the Texas Secretary of State to confirm that your registered address qualifies you for the position you intend to run for, and that you meet other office specific qualifications. 2) Complete the Declaration of Intent to Run and submit the application by the filing window. Once the March primary has ended, independent candidates may start circulating their nominating petitions, which are due to the Texas Secretary of State's office by mid-June (the date varies depending on year). Signers of the nominating petition can not have voted in the March primary, and the requirement is 500 signatures to appear for most positions on the ballot. More information can be found here, and potential candidates should speak with the Texas Secretary of State's Elections Department as soon as possible to verify the signatures and filing window. 3) Submit the nominating petition and application to the county clerk of your official residence by mid-June. If you have any questions please contact the Texas Secretary of State's Office at [email protected] or by phone at (512) 463-5650.

Submit application to:
Elections Division, Secretary of State , Austin, TX, 78711, US