Texas Lege High School Memories

The General elections are over and in the past, and now Texas must focus on the future: the 88th legislative session. More specifically, who are the state lawmakers that will be representing us? And even more specifically, what did they look like in high school?

RA news has compiled 9 high school pictures of some of your favorite state lawmakers. You can try to guess who they are, but don’t be surprised if you’re not successful.

1. Rep. Jolanda Jones

Jones is an attorney and T.V. personality representing District 147. She replaces Rep. and House County Affairs Chairman Garnet Coleman (D-Houston), who resigned due to ill health.

2. Rep. Jim Murphy  (R-Houston)

Murphy is a real estate executive in Houston, Texas, and a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives serving District 133. Murphy serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on Higher Education and sits on the Ways and Means Committee.

3. Rep. John H. Bucy III (D-Austin)

Bucy is a small business owner in Austin, Texas, who is a Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives serving District 136.

4. Rep. Dan Huberty (R-Houston)

Huberty is a businessman in Houston, Texas, and a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives serving District 127. He was sworn in on January 11, 2011.

5. Rep. James Frank (R-Wichita Falls)

Frank is the owner of Sharp Iron Group and a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives serving District 69, which encompasses Archer, Baylor, Clay, Foard, Knox, and Wichita counties.

6. Senator Charles Perry (R-Lubbock)

Perry is a certified public accountant (CPA) and a Republican member of the Texas Senate representing District 28, since 2014 after serving two terms in the Texas House of Representatives.

7. Senator Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) 

Nelson is a businesswoman and former teacher who served two terms on the State Board of Education. She is a Republican member of the Texas Senate serving District 12.

8. Rep. Cole Hefner (R-Mt. Pleasant)

Hefner is a small business owner in Mount Pleasant, Texas. He was elected state representative for House District 5 in May 2016. Prior to being elected to the Texas House of Representatives, Cole served as county commissioner for Upshur County.

9. Rep. Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont)

Speaker of the House Dade Phelan hasn’t changed much over the years. We’ll admit this photo might be from a few years after high school but it’s still a throwback. Phelan is currently serving his fourth term as State Representative for District 21. Back in 2019, Texas Monthly named Phelan as one of the Best Legislators of the legislative session.

Want to know more about Texas politics? Download our app available for iOS & Android.