Kenneth Kyle Biedermann, known as Kyle Biedermann, is a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives for District 73, which encompasses Comal, Gillespie, and Kendall counties in the eastern portion of the Texas Hill Country. Biedermann owns and operates a hardware store within the district. Biedermann received public criticism for his Halloween outfit of 'Gay Hitler' pictures of which were published by local media. Biedermann defeated incumbent Doug Miller, chairman of the Special Purpose District Committee, on May 24, 2016 in the Republican primary runoff election. Biedermann polled 10,481 votes to Miller's 8,438. Biedermann faced no Democratic opponent in the November 2016 general election. Biedermann won his second House term in the general election held on November 6, 2018. With 69,006 votes, he defeated Democrat Stephanie Phillips, who polled 23,237 votes.
Legislative voting record & positions
Immigration
Biedermann supported SB 1252, otherwise known as the Interstate Compact for Border Security, which would have given the State of Texas the power to enforce the State's own border protection laws. In addition, he voted in favor of the Schaefer Amendment of SB 4 which banned Sanctuary Cities and fully funded an increase in border security funding. Biedermann also voted to end benefits for illegal immigrants as well as penalizing employers who do not use E- Verify and allow law enforcement to check the legal status of detained individuals.
Abortion
Bierdermann describes himself as pro-life, voting on numerous pieces of legislation to restrict or prohibit the practice of abortion in the state of Texas. He voted in favor of Amendment 76 of SB1 which increased funding for the Alternatives to Abortion Program by $20,000,000. He also voted on the 2nd and 22nd Amendment of SB 8 which would have banned a procedure known as "dismemberment abortions" and the abolishment of late term abortions for children with disabilities. For his strict pro-life voting record, the organization Texas Right to Life gave him a perfect score during the 85th legislative session.
A strong supporter of property tax reform, Biedermann has voted on multiple pieces of legislation regarding the reformation of current property tax plans in the state of Texas. He voted against HB 486, a bill that would have made it easier for school districts to raise property taxes without first getting voter approval. He voted against SB 1 RV #164, a motion that killed 3 amendments that would have expanded property tax reform. Additionally, he voted in favor of HB 208 RV #155, a bill designed to cap growth in state spending at the rise of population plus inflation.
Legislative Ratings
Criticism
During the primary campaign, a photo surfaced of Biedermann dressed up as a Saturday Night Live character for a charity event in 2008. He was criticized by the Anti-Defamation League. In January 2017, Biedermann sent a survey to Muslim leaders asking them questions about their interpretations of Islam in preparation for a "Homeland Security Summit". The surveys were distributed as part of a campaign designed to expose "radical Islamic terrorism in Texas", and preceded a forum Mr. Biedermann held at the State Capitol, scheduled to coincide with Texas Muslim Capitol Day, an educational event. The episode attracted critical media coverage and condemnation by civil rights advocates.
