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Royce West

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Royce West
President pro tempore of the Texas Senate
In office
April 17, 2006 – January 2007
Preceded byFrank L. Madla
Succeeded byMario Gallegos Jr.
Member of the Texas Senate
from the 23rd district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 12, 1993
Preceded byEddie Bernice Johnson
Personal details
Born
Royce Barry West

(1952-09-26) September 26, 1952 (age 72)
Annapolis, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseCarol
EducationUniversity of Texas, Arlington (BA, MA)
University of Houston (JD)

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.

Early life and education

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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

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Politics

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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]

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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

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West giving a speech in 2018

2018

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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  1. ^ Office of the Secretary of State (Texas) (September 13, 2002). "State Senate Candidates for 2002 General Election". Archived from the original on February 13, 2008. Retrieved December 27, 2006.
  2. ^ "The Honorable Royce West's Biography". The HistoryMakers. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
  3. ^ "Royce West for US Senate | Meet Royce West for US Senate". Royce West. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d Drew, James (August 7, 2011). "Dallas Sen. Royce West's role in John Wiley Price probe still unknown". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Senator Royce West: District 23". The Texas Senate. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  6. ^ "West Honored as Governor for a Day". The Texas Senate. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  7. ^ Samuels, Alex (July 22, 2019). "State Sen. Royce West enters Democratic primary to challenge John Cornyn". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  8. ^ Svitek, Patrick (July 15, 2020). "MJ Hegar defeats Royce West in Democratic runoff for U.S. Senate". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  9. ^ Thomas, Neil (August 9, 2017). "Are lawmakers' business ties with public entities a conflict of interest?". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  10. ^ Schutze, Jim (May 22, 2009). "Look, It Has Always Paid to Be Royce West". Dallas Observer. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  11. ^ "2018 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  12. ^ "2014 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  13. ^ "2012 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  14. ^ "2008 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  15. ^ "2004 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  16. ^ "2002 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  17. ^ "1998 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  18. ^ "1994 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  19. ^ "1992 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  20. ^ "1992 Democratic Party Primary Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved July 23, 2019.
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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
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