Ryan Guillen


Ryan Anthony Guillen is the Texas State Representative for House District 31, which includes Starr, Atascosa, Duval, Brooks, Jim Hogg, Kenedy, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen and Willacy counties. A Democrat and native of Starr County Guillen was first elected in 2002 at the age of 24, making him the youngest ever elected to the Texas House of Representatives. He continues to serve Texas and is in his 9th term as a Representative.
Beginning in 2003 with the 78th Session, Guillen has served House District 31 for eight consecutive regular sessions and eight special sessions in the House of Representatives. Guillen and his wife Dalinda were raised in Rio Grande City where they currently reside today. He completed his education with a B.S. degree in Agricultural Studies from Texas A&M University in College Station. His family includes many generations of teachers and ranchers, traditions that continue to play a large role in his daily life.

Early life and career

Ryan Anthony Guillen was born in College Station, Texas, the same city Texas A&M University resides, and where his parents attended college. While Ryan was still an infant, his family would move back to their home town of Rio Grande City. It was in Rio Grande City Guillen was raised and where he attended school with his future wife, Dalinda. Ryan attended public and private schools in Rio Grande City and later both graduated from Texas A&M University. Guillen was a rancher, educator, and small businessman in Starr County when he was elected to the Texas legislature. Guillen and his wife have two children.

Texas State Legislature

Representative Guillen took office in January 2003, following his election in 2002. He has been reelected seven times. He is currently serving his eighth consecutive term in the Texas Legislature, including eight regular sessions and eight special sessions. During this time he has served on several committees.
During the 78th Legislative Session, Guillen served on the Select Election Contests Committee, the Land and Resource Management Committee, the Select Public School Finance Committee, and the Regulated Industries Committee.
In the 79th Legislative Session, Guillen served on the Appropriations Committee, which constructs the state's budget. He also served as a member of the Appropriations Select Committee on Education, the Select Committee on Election Contests, and served as Budget and Oversight Chair of the Financial Institutions Committee.
In the 80th Legislative Session, Guillen served as Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee, the Natural Resources Committee and the Calendars Committee which chooses the bills that will be heard for debate. He also served on the Select Committee on Higher and Public Education Finance.
In the 81st Legislative Session, Guillen served on the Border and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, the Oversight of Windstorm Insurance Committee, the Transportation Committee and the Select Committee on Transportation Funding.
In the 82nd Legislative session, Guillen served as Chairman of the Committee on Culture, Recreation and Tourism, holding that position through the 84th Committee. He also served as a member of the Public Education Committee, the Oversight of Windstorm Insurance Committee, and the Select Election Contest Committee.
In the 85th Legislative session, Guillen served as the Vice-Chairman of the Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee. He also served as a member of the State Affairs Committee.
In January 2014 Texas Right to life has rated Guillen a 71% pro-life, up from 48% in 2011.

Committee Assignments

Representative Guillen has been on several important House committees throughout his political career. He was appointed Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee in his second term. He has served on the following committees throughout his tenure.
78th Session
• Election Contests, Select
• Land and Resource Management
• Public School Finance, Select
• Regulated Industries
79th Session
• Appropriations
• Education, Select
• Election Contests, Select
• Financial Institutions
80th Session
• Appropriations
• Natural Resources
• Calendars
• Higher and Public Education Finance, Select
81st Session
• Border and Intergovernmental Affairs
• Oversight of Windstorm Insurance
• Transportation
• Transportation, Select
82nd Session
• Culture, Recreation and Tourism
• Public Education
• Oversight of Windstorm Insurance
• Election Contest, Select
83rd Session
• Culture, Recreation and Tourism
• Licensing and Administrative Procedures
• Study Water Desalination
84th Session
• Culture, Recreation and Tourism
• Licensing and Administrative Procedures
85th Session
• Licensing and Administrative Procedures
• State Affairs
86th Session
• Resolutions Calendars
Ways and Means
• Licensing and Administrative Procedures

Election History

General Election 2012: HD 31
CandidateVotes%
Ryan Guillen27,85666.3
Ann Matthews14,16333.7

General Election 2010: HD 31
CandidateVotes%
Ryan Guillen12,724100
No Opponent----

General Election 2008: HD 31
CandidateVotes%
Ryan Guillen24,170100
No Opponent----

General Election 2006: HD 31
CandidateVotes%
Ryan Guillen12,711100
No Opponent----

General Election 2004: HD 31
CandidateVotes%
Ryan Guillen20,052100
No Opponent----

General Election 2002: HD 31
CandidateVotes%
Ryan Guillen16,665100
No Opponent----

Democratic Primary Runoff Election 2002: HD 31
CandidateVotes%
Ryan Guillen8,16261.32
Adolfo Campero5,14838.68

Democratic Primary Election 2002: HD 31
CandidateVotes%
Ryan Guillen9,24638.75
Adolfo Campero7,60831.74
Ignacio Salinas7,11529.68