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 (born September 26, 1952) is an American politician. He serves as a member of the Texas Senate, representing the 23rd District. This district is located in Dallas, Texas.

Early Life and Education

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 (BA) and a Master of Arts (MA) in sociology. Sociology is the study of how people interact in groups and societies.

While in college, he joined the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. A fraternity is a social organization for male students. Later, he earned a law degree, called a Juris Doctor (JD), from the University of Houston Law Center.

Career in Public Service

Getting Started in Politics

Royce West first tried to get elected to public office in 1986. He ran for district attorney in Dallas County but did not win. His first successful election was in 1992. He ran for the Texas Senate, District 23 seat. The person who held the seat before him, Eddie Bernice Johnson, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

From April 2006 to January 2007, West held a special role. He was the president pro tempore of the Texas Senate. This means he was a temporary leader of the Senate. On November 18, 2006, he was honored with the title "Governor for a Day." This is a special way to recognize the service of the president pro tempore.

In 2019, Royce West announced he would run for the United States Senate. This was for the 2020 election. He made it to the second round of voting, called a runoff election. However, he did not win the final election.

Working as a Lawyer

Besides his work in the Texas Senate, Royce West is also a lawyer. He is a managing partner at a law firm called West & Associates L.L.P. As a lawyer, he helps public groups like the Dallas Independent School District. He also provides legal services for the city of Dallas and Dallas Area Rapid Transit.

Images for kids

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  West giving a speech in 2018

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  West at the University of Texas at Arlington in 2001