Ernest Bailes

Ernest James Bailes IV
Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from the 18th district
Assumed office
January 10, 2017 (2017-01-10)
Preceded byJohn Otto
Personal details
Born (1982-04-13) April 13, 1982 (age 42)
San Jacinto County, Texas, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseCourtney Bailes
Children2
Residence(s)Shepherd, Texas, U.S.
Alma materTexas A&M University (BS)
Occupation
  • Agriculturist
  • politician
  • rancher
Websitewww.bailesfortexas.com

Ernest James Bailes IV (born April 13, 1982), is an American politician and Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives for the 18th district.[1] Bailes was defeated by Janis Holt by 53% to 39% on March 5, 2024, in the Republican primary for the Texas House of Representatives for the 18th District.[2]

Background

[edit]

Bailes, a rancher and agriculturist, grew up on his family's beef and dairy cattle operations in East Texas. Growing up in Shepherd, he is a graduate of Shepherd High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University in 2004.[3] Following graduation from A&M, Bailes founded his own company, Repro Select, an "advanced reproductive services provider for cattle and whitetail deer producers across the South-Central United States". Bailes is married to Courtney Bailes, a third-grade teacher in the Coldspring–Oakhurst CISD. The couple has two sons named Cinco and Rigby.[4] Bailes assumed office in 2017, succeeding fellow Republican John Otto, who did not seek re-election in 2016.[5]

Legislative history

[edit]

Bailes currently serves on the House Committee for Culture, Recreation, and Tourism[6] and the House Committee on Energy Resources.[7]

Bailes voted to prohibit one-punch straight-ticket voting[3] and voted to establish standards for determining adjusted franchise tax rates.[8]

Additionally, Bailes voted against the Schaefer Amendment of Senate Bill 8, which would have required women to carry fetuses with fatal fetal abnormalities to term. The amendment was tabled.[9] SB8 related to certain prohibited abortions and the treatment and disposition of embryonic and fetal tissue remains, creating a civil cause of action and imposing a civil penalty, creating criminal offense.[10] The law was struck down by a court challenge before taking effect.[11]

2018 reelection

[edit]

Bailes won reelection to a second term in the general election held on November 6, 2018. With 35,538 votes (75.5 percent), he defeated Democrat Fred Lemond, who polled 11,514 votes (24.5 percent).[12]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Bailes enters race for State Rep District 18". Houston Chronicle. August 4, 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  2. ^ Texas Election Results Tracker: March 5, 2024 Primary Election, The Texan, March 5, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Rep. Bailes, Ernest". Texas House of Representatives. Retrieved 2019-11-23.
  4. ^ "About Ernest". Ernest Bailes – Republican State Representative. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  5. ^ McAdams, Jacob (November 9, 2016). "San Jacinto County election results". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  6. ^ "House Committee on Culture, Recreation, and Tourism - 88th R.S. (2023)". Texas Legislative Reference Library.
  7. ^ "House Committee on Energy Resources - 88th R.S. (2023)". Texas Legislative Reference Library.
  8. ^ "Proceedings: Fifty-Ninth Day — Friday, April 28, 2017" (PDF). Texas House Journal. Eighty-Fifth Legislature, Regular Session. Texas House of Representatives: 46. 2017-04-27. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2017.
  9. ^ Novack, Sophie (2017-05-19). "Abandoning 'Women's Health' Claims, Texas House Approves Wide-Ranging Anti-Abortion Bill". The Texas Observer. Retrieved 2019-11-23.
  10. ^ "Texas Rep. Ernest Bailes". TrackBill. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  11. ^ Evans, Marissa (September 5, 2018). "Judge strikes down Texas law requiring burial or cremation of fetal remains". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  12. ^ "Election Returns". Texas Secretary of State. November 6, 2018. Archived from the original on November 8, 2018. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
[edit]
Texas House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the
Texas House of Representatives
from the 18th district

2017–present
Succeeded by
Incumbent