Ryan Guillen
Ryan Anthony Guillen 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 '; Redistricting; State Affairs
88th Legislature: Homeland Security and Public Safety '; State Affairs; Select, Community Safety '
87th Legislature: Agriculture & Livestock; Licensing and Administrative Procedures; Redistricting; Resolutions Calendars '
86th Legislature: Licensing and Administrative Procedures; Resolutions Calendars ', Ways and Means '
85th Legislature: Licensing and Administrative Procedures '; State Affairs
84th Legislature: Culture, Recreation, and Tourism '; Licensing and Administrative Procedures
83rd Legislature: Culture, Recreation, and Tourism '; Licensing and Administrative Procedures; Study Water Desalination
82nd Legislature:
Cruise Industry Development; Culture, Recreation, and Tourism '; 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 '
80th Legislature: Appropriations '; Calendars; Higher and Public Education Finance, Select; Natural Resources
79th Legislature: Appropriations; Appropriations Subcommittee on Education; Election Contests, Select; Financial Institutions '
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 |