Royce West Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Royce West


President pro tempore of the Texas Senate
In office April 17, 2006 – January 2007
Preceded by	Frank L. Madla
Succeeded by	Mario Gallegos Jr.
Member of the Texas Senate from the 23rd district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 12, 1993
Preceded by	Eddie Bernice Johnson

Personal details
Born	Royce Barry West (1952-09-26) September 26, 1952 (age 72) Annapolis, Maryland, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Carol
Education	University of Texas, Arlington (BA, MA) University of Houston (JD)

Royce Barry West (born September 26, 1952) is an American politician who serves as a member of the Texas Senate, representing the Dallas-based 23rd District.

Early life and education
Career
- Politics
- Legal career
Electoral history
- 2018
- 2014
- 2012
- 2008
- 2004
- 2002
- 1998
- 1994
- 1992

Early life and education

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.

Career

Politics

In 1986, West ran his first campaign for public office, losing his bid for Dallas County district attorney. 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. From April 2006 to January 2007, West served as president pro tempore of the Texas Senate. On November 18, 2006, West was Governor for a Day, a ceremonial title that honors the service of the president pro tempore.

On July 22, 2019, West announced his candidacy for the United States Senate in the 2020 election for the seat held by John Cornyn. He finished second in the March 3 primary, but lost the July 14 runoff to MJ Hegar.

Legal career

In addition to serving in the Texas Senate, West is a managing partner at the law firm West & Associates L.L.P. 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. West's legal services have led to concerns over possible ethics violations in his Senate work due to a conflict of interest.

Electoral history

West giving a speech in 2018

2018

Texas general election, 2018: Senate District 23
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Royce West (Incumbent)	192,148	100.00
Majority			192,148	100.00
Turnout			192,148
	Democratic hold

2014

Texas general election, 2014: Senate District 23
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

Texas general election, 2012: Senate District 23
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

Texas general election, 2008: Senate District 23
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

Texas general election, 2004: Senate District 23
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

Royce West at UTA Distinguished Alumni Gala (10018381) (cropped)

West at the University of Texas at Arlington in 2001

Texas general election, 2002: Senate District 23
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

Texas general election, 1998: Senate District 23
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

Texas general election, 1994: Senate District 23
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

Texas general election, 1992: Senate District 23
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
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

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Royce West facts for kids

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