Jay Dean (politician)

James Wallace "Jay" Dean (born March 5, 1953) is an American politician. A Republican, he has been the member of the Texas House of Representatives for District 7, which encompasses Gregg and Upshur counties in East Texas, since 2017.[1]

Jay Dean
Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from the 7th district
Assumed office
January 10, 2017
Preceded byDavid Simpson
Mayor of Longview, Texas
In office
2006–2016
Personal details
Born
James Wallace Dean

(1953-03-05) March 5, 1953
Opelousas, Louisiana, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseJane Willis Dean
Children3
Residence(s)Longview, Texas, U.S.
EducationLouisiana State University (BA)

Early life and education

Dean was born in Opelousas, Louisiana, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana State University.[2]

Career

Prior to his election to the legislature, Dean served seven years as a city councilman and then ten years as the mayor of Longview, Texas, ending his term on May 15, 2016.[3][4] As mayor, Dean refused to sign a proclamation for LGBT pride.[5] In 2014, the city of Longview broke a contract with musician Ted Nugent to perform at Longview's Fourth of July concert, with Dean stating that Nugent "didn't really fit what we're trying to put together, a family-oriented program."[6]

Following his service as mayor, Dean won the Republican nomination for Texas House of Representatives on a platform of border security, job creation, and protecting East Texas water and other resources.[7] He won the 2016 Republican primary election and was sworn into the State Legislature on January 10, 2017, succeeding Republican David Simpson, who did not seek re-election.[1] Dean did not face a Democratic opponent in the general election held on November 8, 2016.[7]

85th Legislature

In his inaugural legislative session, Dean filed ten pieces of legislation. All but three were signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott.[8][9] Dean was selected to serve on the Local and Consent Calendar Committee, the Committee on Investments and Financial Services, and the House Appropriations Committee. Dean was also appointed to serve on the House Select Committee on Opioids and Substance Abuse.[10]

Political views

According to his website, Dean shares "East Texas conservative values"; promises to "protect our gun rights" and "make sure we secure the border";[11] and is "deeply opposed to the practice of abortion."[12]

He has an "A" rating from the NRA Political Victory Fund[13][14] and was endorsed in his legislative campaign by Governor Greg Abbott, Texas State Rifle Association, Texas Alliance for Life, National Federation of Independent Businesses, and the Texas Association of Realtors.[15][16][17][9] He was praised by the Conservative Roundtable of Texas.[18]

Dean ran without opposition for his second House term in the general election held on November 6, 2018.[19]

Personal

He and his wife, Jane Willis Dean, moved to Longview in 1981, where they raised their three daughters. A former altar boy, Dean is active in the Roman Catholic Church and helped to found St. Matthews in Longview.[2]

References
  1. Hicks, Caroline (March 2, 2016). "Jay Dean wins State Rep. District 7". MYEASTTEX. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  2. "Jay Dean". Texas State Directory Online. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  3. "As representative, Jay Dean hopes to give voice to East Texas". Longview News-Journal. Archived from the original on April 16, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  4. Representatives, Texas House of. "Texas House of Representatives". house.texas.gov. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  5. "State rep candidates speak at East Texans for Liberty meeting - The two announced Republican candidates for District 7 state representative Jay Dean and David Watts Jr. both billed themselves as conservatives in a joint appearance last week before..." Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  6. "Ted Nugent calls mayor 'racist,' 'anti-Texas' after town pays him not to show". The Washington Times. Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  7. "Dean tops Watts in Texas House race - Longview News-Journal". Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  8. "Texas Representative Jay Dean [R]". Legiscan. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  9. "CONSERVATIVE STATE REP. JAY DEAN ANNOUNCES FOR RE-ELECTION - Following the completion of a successful circuit of town hall meetings and legislative updates throughout the community Republican State Representative Jay Dean today announced that he w..." Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  10. "Jay Dean Appointed to House Select Committee". jaydeanfortexas.com. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  11. "Meet Jay Dean - jaydeanfortexas.com". jaydeanfortexas.com. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  12. "Issues - jaydeanfortexas.com". jaydeanfortexas.com. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  13. "NRA | Grades | Texas". nrapvf.org. NRA-PVF. Archived from the original on November 3, 2020. Retrieved August 29, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  14. "NRA | Grades | Texas". nrapvf.org. NRA-PVF. Archived from the original on November 8, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  15. "Jay Dean's Political Summary". VoteSmart. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  16. "Governor Abbott Endorses Conservative Jay Dean - Today Governor Greg Abbott announced his endorsement of conservative State Representative Jay Dean in his bid for re-election to the House District 7 seat. The district covers Gregg and Upshur count..." Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  17. "Dean draws endorsement from governor - Longview News-Journal". Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  18. "Effective Conservatives -Conservative Roundtable of Texas". Conservative Roundtable of Texas. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  19. "Election Returns". Texas Secretary of State. November 6, 2018. Archived from the original on November 10, 2018. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
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