Beth Van Duyne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Beth Van Duyne
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Official portrait, 2020
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 24th district |
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| Assumed office January 3, 2021 |
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| Preceded by | Kenny Marchant |
| Mayor of Irving | |
| In office July 7, 2011 – May 16, 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Herbert Gears |
| Succeeded by | Rick Stopfer |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 16, 1970 Albany, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Casey Wallach
(m. 1995; div. 2012) |
| Domestic partner | Rich McCormick (2024–present) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Cornell University (BA) |
| Signature |  |
| Website | |
Elizabeth Ann Van Duyne (born November 16, 1970) is an American politician. She is a U.S. representative for Texas's 24th congressional district. She has held this role since 2021. She is a member of the Republican Party. Before becoming a representative, she was the mayor of Irving from 2011 to 2017. She also worked for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development during the first Donald Trump presidency.
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Early Life and Education
Beth Van Duyne was born in Albany, New York. She lived in Amsterdam, New York, until she was seven. Later, she lived in Cooperstown. In 1986, her family moved to Irving, Texas.
She went to Greenhill School in Addison, Texas. She also studied at Cornell University. She earned a degree in city and regional planning, government, and law.
Political Career
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Van Duyne first got involved in local politics because of a problem in her neighborhood. She ran for a spot on the Irving city council in 2004 and won.
She later ran for mayor against Herbert Gears in 2011 and won. She was re-elected as mayor in 2014.
In 2015, there was a news story that falsely claimed a court in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex followed Sharia law. Van Duyne supported a vote in the Irving City Council. This vote showed support for a bill in the Texas Legislature to ban Sharia law.
Also in 2015, a 14-year-old Muslim boy named Ahmed Mohamed was arrested. He had brought a homemade clock to school that teachers thought was a bomb. Van Duyne defended the school and police actions. A lawsuit was filed, but Van Duyne was later removed from it. The judge eventually dismissed the entire lawsuit.
In February 2017, Van Duyne announced she would not run for mayor again. In May 2017, President Donald Trump appointed her to a role at the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). She oversaw HUD operations in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Arkansas.
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
2020 Election
In August 2019, Kenny Marchant announced he would not run for re-election. Van Duyne then left her job at HUD to run for his seat. She wanted to represent Texas's 24th congressional district. This district covers areas between Dallas and Fort Worth.
She received support from President Trump in early 2020. She won the Republican primary election on March 3, getting about 65% of the votes.
In the main election, Van Duyne ran against Candace Valenzuela. Van Duyne was against the Affordable Care Act. She said it hurt healthcare for Americans. However, she also said she would protect laws that make sure insurance covers preexisting conditions.
Van Duyne won the election on November 3, 2020. She received 48.8% of the votes, while Valenzuela got 47.5%.
2022 Election
On November 8, 2022, Van Duyne won re-election. She defeated Democrat Jan McDowell. Van Duyne received 59.75% of the votes.
The district boundaries were changed in 2021. This made the district much more favorable for Van Duyne. It now includes areas that traditionally vote Republican.
2024 Election
Van Duyne ran for a third term in 2024. She won against Democrat Sam Eppler. She received 60% of the votes.
Time in Office
On January 7, 2021, Van Duyne was one of 147 Republican lawmakers who voted to question the results of the 2020 United States presidential election.
Political Views
Ukraine Aid
Van Duyne voted against a bill in 2022 that would have given $40 billion in emergency aid to the Ukrainian government.
Immigration
Van Duyne supported a bill called the American Tech Workforce Act of 2021. This bill would set a minimum wage for the H-1B visa program. It would also remove a program that lets foreign graduates work in the U.S. after school.
Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023
Van Duyne was among 71 Republicans who voted against the final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House.
Committee Roles
Beth Van Duyne serves on several important committees in the House of Representatives:
- Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
- Subcommittee on Aviation
- Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
- Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management
- Committee on Small Business
- Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations and Regulations (Chair)
- Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax and Capital Access
- Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress
Caucus Memberships
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Van Duyne is part of several groups in Congress:
- Republican Governance Group
- Congressional Western Caucus
- Creator Economy Caucus (Co-Chair)
Personal Life
Beth Van Duyne met her former husband, Chris "Casey" Wallach, at Cornell University. They were married for 17 years and have two children. They divorced in 2012. In 2024, Van Duyne confirmed she was in a relationship with Georgia congressman Rich McCormick.
Van Duyne is an Episcopalian.
Images for kids
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Beth Van Duyne's signature
See also
- Women in the United States House of Representatives
