Ryan Guillen

Ryan Guillen
Guillen in 2008
Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 31st district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 14, 2003
Preceded by	Judy Hawley
Personal details
Born	Ryan Anthony Guillen (1977-10-27) October 27, 1977 College Station, Texas, U.S.
Political party	Republican (since 2021) Democratic (until 2021)
Spouse	Dalinda
Children	2
Residence(s)	Rio Grande City, Texas, U.S.
Alma mater	Texas A&M University
Occupation	rancher, educator, and small businessman

Ryan Anthony Guillen (born October 27, 1977) is an American politician serving as the Texas State Representative for House District 31, which includes Starr, Atascosa, Duval, Brooks, Jim Hogg, Kenedy, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen and Willacy counties. A native of Starr County, Guillen was first elected in 2002 at the age of 24, making him one of the youngest ever elected to the Texas House of Representatives. He continues to serve Texas and is in his 10th term as a Representative.

Originally elected as a Democrat, Guillen formally switched parties and became a Republican on November 15, 2021.

Early life and career

Ryan Anthony Guillen was born in College Station, Texas, the same city Texas A&M University resides, and where his parents attended college. While Ryan was still an infant, his family would move back to their home town of Rio Grande City. It was in Rio Grande City Guillen was raised and where he attended school with his future wife, Dalinda. Ryan attended public and private schools in Rio Grande City and later both graduated from Texas A&M University. Guillen was a rancher, educator, and small businessman in Starr County when he was elected to the Texas legislature. Guillen and his wife have two children.

Texas State Legislature

Representative Guillen took office in January 2003, following his election in 2002. He has been reelected seven times. He is currently serving his eighth consecutive term in the Texas Legislature, including eight regular sessions and eight special sessions. During this time he has served on several committees.

During the 78th Legislative Session, Guillen served on the Select Election Contests Committee, the Land and Resource Management Committee, the Select Public School Finance Committee, and the Regulated Industries Committee.

In the 79th Legislative Session, Guillen served on the Appropriations Committee, which constructs the state's budget. He also served as a member of the Appropriations Select Committee on Education, the Select Committee on Election Contests, and served as Budget and Oversight Chair of the Financial Institutions Committee.

In the 80th Legislative Session, Guillen served as Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee, the Natural Resources Committee and the Calendars Committee which chooses the bills that will be heard for debate. He also served on the Select Committee on Higher and Public Education Finance.

In the 81st Legislative Session, Guillen served on the Border and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, the Oversight of Windstorm Insurance Committee, the Transportation Committee and the Select Committee on Transportation Funding.

In the 82nd Legislative session, Guillen served as Chairman of the Committee on Culture, Recreation and Tourism, holding that position through the 84th Committee. He also served as a member of the Public Education Committee, the Oversight of Windstorm Insurance Committee, and the Select Election Contest Committee.

In the 85th Legislative session, Guillen served as the vice-chairman of the Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee. He also served as a member of the State Affairs Committee.

Committee assignments

Representative Guillen has been on several important House committees throughout his political career. He was appointed Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee in his second term. He has served on the following committees throughout his tenure.

78th Session • Election Contests, Select • Land and Resource Management • Public School Finance, Select • Regulated Industries

79th Session • Appropriations • Education, Select • Election Contests, Select • Financial Institutions (Budget and Oversight Chair)

80th Session • Appropriations (Vice Chairman) • Natural Resources • Calendars • Higher and Public Education Finance, Select

81st Session • Border and Intergovernmental Affairs • Oversight of Windstorm Insurance • Transportation • Transportation, Select

82nd Session • Culture, Recreation and Tourism (chair) • Public Education • Oversight of Windstorm Insurance • Election Contest, Select

83rd Session • Culture, Recreation and Tourism (chair) • Licensing and Administrative Procedures • Study Water Desalination (Joint Interim)

84th Session • Culture, Recreation and Tourism (chair) • Licensing and Administrative Procedures

85th Session • Licensing and Administrative Procedures (Vice Chair) • State Affairs

86th Session • Resolutions Calendars (chair) • Ways and Means (Vice Chair) • Licensing and Administrative Procedures

87th Session • Resolutions Calendars (chair) • Agriculture & Livestock • Licensing and Administrative Procedures • Redistricting

Election history

General Election 2012: HD 31

Candidate	Votes	%
Ryan Guillen	27,856	66.3
Ann Matthews	14,163	33.7

General Election 2010: HD 31

Candidate	Votes	%
Ryan Guillen	12,724	100
No Opponent	--	--

General Election 2008: HD 31

Candidate	Votes	%
Ryan Guillen	24,170	100
No Opponent	--	--

General Election 2006: HD 31

Candidate	Votes	%
Ryan Guillen	12,711	100
No Opponent	--	--

General Election 2004: HD 31

Candidate	Votes	%
Ryan Guillen	20,052	100
No Opponent	--	--

General Election 2002: HD 31

Candidate	Votes	%
Ryan Guillen	16,665	100
No Opponent	--	--

Democratic Primary Runoff Election 2002: HD 31

Candidate	Votes	%
Ryan Guillen	8,162	61.32
Adolfo Campero	5,148	38.68

Democratic Primary Election 2002: HD 31

Candidate	Votes	%
Ryan Guillen	9,246	38.75
Adolfo Campero	7,608	31.74
Ignacio Salinas	7,115	29.68

External links

• Ryan Guillen's Official State Profile