Royce West facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Royce West
President pro tempore of the Texas Senate
In office April 17, 2006 – January 9, 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 at Arlington (BA, MA) University of Houston (JD)

Royce Barry West was born on September 26, 1952. He is an American politician. He works as a member of the Texas Senate. He represents the 23rd District, which is in Dallas, Texas.

Early Life and School

Royce West playing football for the Texas–Arlington Mavericks football team around 1971–72.

Royce West was born in Annapolis, Maryland. He went to the University of Texas at Arlington. There, he earned two degrees: a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in sociology. Sociology is the study of how people live together in groups.

While he was in college, he joined a group called the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. Fraternities are social organizations for college students. Later, he studied law at the University of Houston Law Center. He earned a law degree called a Juris Doctor.

Royce West's Career

Working in Politics

Royce West first tried to get elected to a public office in 1986. He ran for district attorney in Dallas County but did not win that election.

His first successful election was in 1992. He won a seat in the Texas Senate for District 23. The person who had that job before him, Eddie Bernice Johnson, had been elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

From April 2006 to January 2007, Royce West held an important position. He was the president pro tempore of the Texas Senate. This role means he was a temporary leader of the Senate.

On November 18, 2006, he was given a special honor. He was named "Governor for a Day." This is a ceremonial title that thanks the president pro tempore for their service.

In 2019, Royce West announced he would run for the United States Senate. He wanted to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate. He competed in the primary election on March 3, 2020. He came in second place. Then, he went to a runoff election on July 14, 2020, but he lost to M. J. Hegar.

Working as a Lawyer

Besides being a Texas Senator, Royce West is also a managing partner at a law firm. The firm is called West & Associates L.L.P. As a lawyer, he helps public groups like the Dallas Independent School District. He also works with the city of Dallas and Dallas Area Rapid Transit. He provides legal advice and services to these organizations.

Images for kids

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  Royce West giving a speech in 2018.

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  West speaking at a rally in 2013.

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  Royce West at the University of Texas at Arlington in 2001.