J. D. Sheffield

The 2010 election was Sheffield's first campaign for local or state office. He had served in student government during college. In the Republican primary in 2010, Sheffield polled 44.2 percent in his challenge to incumbent Sid Miller who had held the office since 2001.[5]

Two years after his unsuccessful challenge to Miller, Sheffield gained the Republican nomination with 54.8 percent of the ballots cast.[6] Sheffield easily won in the November general election with 78% of the vote district wide against Bill Norris, the Democratic nominee and a retired school teacher from Dublin.[7] Norris had effectively dropped out of the race due to health reasons but remained on the ballot.

Ralph lost his reelection bid in 2014.[8][9][10]

Brent Graves, an auctioneer from Stephenville, ran against Sheffield for the Republican nomination in 2016. Graves lost to Sheffield 61% to 38%, district wide. Sheffield ran unopposed in the general election[11]

In 2018, Sheffield defeated Chris Evans in the Republican primary. Sheffield ran unopposed in the general election.[11][12]

On July 14, 2020, Sheffield was defeated in his re-election effort by Stephenville, Texas attorney Shelby Slawson by over 20% in the Republican primary runoff.[4][2] Slawson did not have an opponent in the 2020 general election.[11]

During his time in the Legislature, Sheffield served on the Texas House committees of Appropriations, Corrections, Public Health, Rules and Resolutions.[13]