Ryan Guillen

Ryan Anthony Guillen (born October 27, 1977) is an American politician serving as the Texas State Representative for House District 31, which includes Starr, Wilson, Karnes, Duval, Brooks, Jim Hogg, Kenedy, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen and Zapata counties.

Early life and education Guillen grew up working at his family's feed store and farm. He went on to receive an Bachelor of Science in agriculture from Texas A&M University and briefly teach high school agriculture before pursuing public office.

Texas Legislature Guillen was first elected in 2002 at the age of 24, making him one of the youngest ever elected to the Texas House of Representatives. He has served in continuous consecutive sessions of the Texas Legislature since he first took office in January 2003.

Change to Party Affiliation Guillen was first elected as, and served nine terms as, a Democrat. During that time, he often voted with his Republican colleagues on core conservative social issues such as gun control and abortion rights. In November 2021, Guillen announced he was switching parties, a move that strengthened the Republican majority in the Texas statehouse.

Committee appointments and leadership

Guillen has been appointed to multiple standing, select and interim committees throughout his tenure in the Texas House, and has been appointed as chair or vice-chair under four different speaker administrations:

89th Legislature: Agriculture & Livestock (Chair); Redistricting; State Affairs

88th Legislature: Homeland Security and Public Safety (Chair); State Affairs; Select, Community Safety (Chair)

87th Legislature: Agriculture & Livestock; Licensing and Administrative Procedures; Redistricting; Resolutions Calendars (Chair)

86th Legislature: Licensing and Administrative Procedures; Resolutions Calendars (Chair), Ways and Means (Vice Chair)

85th Legislature: Licensing and Administrative Procedures (Vice Chair); State Affairs

84th Legislature: Culture, Recreation, and Tourism (Chair); Licensing and Administrative Procedures

83rd Legislature: Culture, Recreation, and Tourism (Chair); Licensing and Administrative Procedures; Study Water Desalination (Joint Interim)

82nd Legislature: Cruise Industry Development; Culture, Recreation, and Tourism (Chair); Election Contest District 48, Select; Public Education; Public School Finance System; Oversight of Windstorm Insurance

81st Legislature: Border and Intergovernmental Affairs; Oversight of Windstorm Insurance; Transportation; Transportation Funding, Select (Chair, Subcommittee on Planning and Accountability)

80th Legislature: Appropriations (Vice Chair); Calendars; Higher and Public Education Finance, Select; Natural Resources

79th Legislature: Appropriations; Appropriations Subcommittee on Education; Election Contests, Select; Financial Institutions (Budget and Oversight Chair)

78th Legislature: Election Contests, Select; Land and Resource Management; Regulated Industries

Election history

General Election 2024: HD 31 Candidate Votes % Ryan Guillen 50,653 100 No Opponent -- --

General Election 2022: HD 31 Candidate Votes % Ryan Guillen 34,806 71.24 Martha M. Gutierrez 14,054 28.76

Republican Primary Election 2022: HD 31 Candidate Votes % Ryan Guillen 7,544 56.64 Alena Berlanga 1,237 9.29 Mike Monreal 4,539 34.08

General Election 2020: HD 31 Candidate Votes % Ryan Guillen 32,235 58.41 Marian Knowlton 22,950 41.59

General Election 2018: HD 31 Candidate Votes % Ryan Guillen 27,492 100 No Opponent -- --

Democratic Primary Election 2018: HD 31 Candidate Votes % Ryan Guillen 14,268 55.39 Ana Lisa Garza 11,491 44.61

General Election 2016: HD 31 Candidate Votes % Ryan Guillen 30,829 100 No Opponent -- --

General Election 2014: HD 31 Candidate Votes % Ryan Guillen 16,396 100 No Opponent -- --

General Election 2012: HD 31 Candidate Votes % Ryan Guillen 27,856 66.3 Ann Matthews 14,163 33.7

General Election 2010: HD 31 Candidate Votes % Ryan Guillen 12,724 100 No Opponent -- --

General Election 2008: HD 31 Candidate Votes % Ryan Guillen 24,170 100 No Opponent -- --

General Election 2006: HD 31 Candidate Votes % Ryan Guillen 12,711 100 No Opponent -- --

General Election 2004: HD 31 Candidate Votes % Ryan Guillen 20,052 100 No Opponent -- --

General Election 2002: HD 31 Candidate Votes % Ryan Guillen 16,665 100 No Opponent -- --

Democratic Primary Runoff Election 2002: HD 31 Candidate Votes % Ryan Guillen 8,162 61.32 Adolfo Campero 5,148 38.68

Democratic Primary Election 2002: HD 31 Candidate Votes % Ryan Guillen 9,246 38.75 Adolfo Campero 7,608 31.74 Ignacio Salinas 7,115 29.68