Ron Reynolds (politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ron Reynolds
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![]() Reynolds in 2021
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Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 27th district |
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Assumed office January 11, 2011 |
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Preceded by | Dora Olivo |
Personal details | |
Born |
Ronald Eugene Reynolds
September 18, 1973 Jackson, Tennessee, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse |
Jonita Wallace
(divorced) |
Children | 3 |
Residences | Missouri City, Texas, U.S. |
Education | Texas Southern University (BS) Texas Tech University School of Law (JD) |
Occupation |
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Signature | ![]() |
Ronald Eugene Reynolds (born September 18, 1973) is an American politician. He represents District 27 in the Texas House of Representatives. He was first elected to this role in 2010. Reynolds is the first African American to represent Fort Bend County in the Texas House. This has not happened since the Reconstruction era.
In August 2022, Reynolds was chosen as the Chair of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus. He also helped create the first-ever Texas Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Legislative Caucus in 2023. He now serves as its Chair.
Before his current role, he was the Chair of the Texas Legislative Progressive Caucus. He also worked as a lawyer in private practice. He was an adjunct professor at Texas Southern University. He also served as a Houston Associate Municipal Judge. He was president of the Houston Lawyers Association. He also led the Missouri City & Vicinity National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). He became a National Board Member of the NAACP in February 2024.
In November 2018, Reynolds was re-elected for his fifth term. He is also a leader at Civitas Engineering. He is also Group Vice President of Business Development.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Ron Reynolds moved from Tennessee to Missouri City, Texas, when he was a child. He lived there with his mother. He went to schools in Fort Bend County.
He graduated from Texas Southern University in 1996. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in public affairs. After that, he went to Texas Tech University School of Law. He finished law school in 1999, earning a Juris Doctor degree.
His Journey in Politics
Reynolds first tried to become a state representative in 2008. He ran in the Democratic primary election for District 27. He ran against the person who held the seat, Dora Olivo.
He almost won, getting 49.7% of the votes. In 2010, he ran again in the Democratic primaries. This time, he won against Dora Olivo. He received 57.6% of the votes. In the general election that same year, he won against Derek Dean Grayson. He was sworn in as State Representative for House District 27 on January 10, 2011.
In 2012, he ran without anyone opposing him in the Democratic party primaries. He won re-election with 69% of the votes in the general election. Reynolds was elected for a third term in the 2014 general election. He received 24,326 votes (67%).
In 2016, he faced Angelique Bartholomew in a runoff election for the Democratic primary. He won the runoff election with 53% of the votes. He then faced Ken Bryant in the 2016 general election. In the 2018 Democratic primaries, he won against Wilvin Carter with 61.37%. He won the 2018 general election without an opponent.
During the 2020 general election, he won re-election against Tom Virippan. In 2021, Reynolds was part of a voting rights protest in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. He was elected Chair of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus in August 2022. In 2023, he helped create the first-ever Texas Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Legislative Caucus.
What Ron Reynolds Believes In
Making Justice Fair
Reynolds supports changes to the justice system. He has supported bills for police body cameras. He also supports changes to how grand juries work. He believes in making the justice system fair for everyone.
Helping with Healthcare
Reynolds supports expanding Medicare. This would help more people in Texas get health insurance. Texas has many people who do not have health insurance.
Supporting Higher Wages
In 2019, Reynolds suggested a bill to raise the minimum wage in Texas to $15 an hour. He said it is hard for families to live on less than $15,000 a year. He believes raising the wage would help close the economic gap.
Looking at Reparations
Reynolds has suggested laws that would provide reparations. This would be for descendants of the Sugar Land 95. These were 95 African Americans forced to work in a plantation in Sugar Land, Texas, long ago.
Views on Global Events
In November 2023, Reynolds signed a letter. It asked the Biden administration to help get more aid for people in need. It also asked for a ceasefire in Israel's war on Gaza. He later signed another letter. This letter asked the administration to rethink aid to Israel. The goal was to prevent future human rights violations.
Awards and Recognitions
Ron Reynolds has received many awards for his work. These include:
- The EEOC Civil Rights All Star Award
- The American Red Cross Humanitarian Award
- The Houston Black Chamber of Commerce Pinnacle Award (twice)
- The Missouri City Juneteenth Community Service Award
- The DMARS Business Journal Top Lawyer & Public Servant Award
He was also named one of Houston's Top 40 Leaders Under 40. HTexas Magazine named him Houston’s Top Lawyer. He was recognized in Who's Who in Black Houston. In 2011, the House Democratic Caucus voted him Freshman Legislator of the Year. The Houston Minority Contractors Association named him Public Servant of the Year.
He has also received:
- The YMCA Minority Achievers Award
- The NAACP Drum Major for Justice Award
- The Texas Association of African American Chamber of Commerce's Legislator of the Year Award