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
[edit]On January 28, 2020, Gates won the special runoff election for Texas House District 28. He defeated the Democrat, an educator, Elizabeth A. "Eliz" Markowitz of Katy, Texas, by 58% of the vote to 42%, a 16-point win that has been characterized as an "easy win".[3][4] Saying the district was a bellwether, Democratic presidential candidates Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren endorsed Markowitz; and Mike Bloomberg and Julian Castro endorsed Markowitz and block walked for her, attempting to flip the district and defeat Gates.[5][6] Former U.S. Senate nominee and presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke knocked on doors and rallied canvassers.[7][8] The race was Gates' seventh run for political office.[8]
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
[edit]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
[edit]- ^ "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.
- ^ a b c Svitek, Patrick (January 30, 2020). "Democrats regroup after Republicans score easy win in Texas House special election". 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.
- ^ Rove, Karl (January 29, 2020). "Texas Is About to Go Blue! Never Mind". Wall Street Journal. New York, New York. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
- ^ Scherer, Jasper (January 28, 2020). "Gates staves off Markowitz in 'bellwether' Fort Bend runoff; Eastman beats LaRotta". Houston Chronicle. 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.
- ^ March 3, 2020 primary election results, 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.
- ^ Malewitz, Jim. Child Abuse Case Resurfaces in Railroad Commission Race, Texas Tribune April 28, 2016.
- ^ Tyer, Brad. A Father's Retribution, Houston Press, October 5, 2000.
