2015 Speakers

Acevedo first joined the Austin Police Department in 2007. He is the first Hispanic to serve as the department’s chief. He serves on the board of the Major Cities Chiefs Association and previously served as president of the National Latino Peace Officers Association. Acevedo began his career in law enforcement with the California Highway Patrol, where he was eventually promoted to chief.

Adler has been serving as the mayor of Austin since January. He is co-founder of the Barron, Graham and Adler law firm and previously sat on the board of the Austin Ballet and The Texas Tribune. Adler spent eight years working in the Texas Legislature as the chief of staff and general counsel to state Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, D-El Paso.

Akin was first appointed to the Ethics Commission in 2012 by then-Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. He currently serves as executive director of the Hatton W. Sumners Foundation, a charitable foundation encouraging the study of self-government, and sits on the board of directors for the John G. Tower Center for Politics Studies at Southern Methodist University. Akin is a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Dudley Althaus is a reporter for The Wall Street Journal based in Mexico City. He was the Houston Chronicle's bureau chief in Mexico from 1990 to 2012. Althaus has done extensive reporting for the Chronicle and other outlets in much of Latin America as well as Africa, the Middle East and South Asia. He was nominated for Pulitzer Prize in 1992 for international reporting.

Anchia, D-Dallas, was first elected in 2004 to represent House District 103. He is a member of the House Energy Resources Committee. Anchia is also a managing partner of Civitas Capital, a private equity firm, and is of counsel for the Haynes and Boone law firm. Previously, Anchia served two terms on the Dallas school board.

Andrade, who was appointed to the Texas Workforce Commission in March 2013, finished her term in February. From 2008 to 2012, she served as the first Latina secretary of state of Texas. She has also served on the Texas Transportation Commission. Andrade has been a leader in the San Antonio business community for more than three decades.

Aycock, R-Killeen, has represented House District 54 since 2007. He is a member of the House Defense and Veterans’ Affairs Committee. Previously, Aycock served as a captain in the U.S. Army and sat on the Killeen Independent School District Board. He is a member of the Texas Farm Bureau, the Texas and Southwest Cattle Raisers Association and the Texas Veterinary Medical Association.

Bailey was named founding president of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in 2014. He has previously served as president at the University of Alabama and Texas Tech University and as chancellor of the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Bailey also served on the boards of the NCAA and the Big XII athletic conference.

Bayh, D-Ind., was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1999, where he served on numerous committees, including the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence committees. Prior to that, he served two terms as governor of Indiana. Bayh currently works as a partner at the McGuireWoods law firm and he serves on the advisory board for the CIA.

Bell, R-Magnolia, has represented House District 3 since 2013. He is a member of the House Appropriations, Land & Resource Management, and Rules & Resolutions committees as well as a member of the Subcommittee on Articles VI, VII and VIII. Bell previously served as the CEO of six different companies and also served as deacon at the Magnolia Church of Christ.

Berthelsen first joined Kelsey-Seybold Clinic in 1980, and currently serves as chairman of the clinic’s board of managers and managing director. Previously, he served as president of the Texas Academy of Internal Medicine Services and as chairman of the Texas Medical Association's Council on Legislation. Berthelsen also maintains an internal medicine practice at a Kelsey-Seybold Clinic in Houston.

Blanco, D-El Paso, was elected to represent House District 76 in 2014. He sits on the House Defense & Veterans’ Affairs, Public Health, and Rules & Resolutions committees. Previously, Blanco served as a military intelligence analyst in the U.S. Navy. He sits on the Transportation Policy Board of the El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization and is a member of the American Legion.

Brundrett was first elected mayor in 2011. During his tenure, Azle experienced earthquakes that are believed to be caused by gas production in the area. Brundrett has testified at legislative hearings regarding the earthquakes and has appeared on MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show. Previously, Brundrett served on Azle’s city council and as chair of the Tarrant County Mayors’ Council.

Burkett, R-Sunnyvale, who represents House District 113, has served in the Legislature since 2011. She is a member of the House Appropriations, Local & Consent Calendars, and Transportation committees, as well as the Transportation Long-Term Infrastructure Planning Subcommittee. Burkett previously served as a legislative aide and deputy regional director to former state Sen. Bob Deuell. She is also the president and co-owner of Highline Enterprises.

Cabrera was named superintendent of El Paso ISD in 2013. He previously worked as a school law attorney and served as general counsel to more than 20 Texas school districts. Cabrera is a certified K-8 bilingual teacher and has worked as an international general counsel, litigator and corporate executive with publicly traded technology firms.

Capriglione, R-Southlake, has represented District 98 in the Texas House since 2012. He serves on the House Appropriations, Local & Consent Calendars and Investments & Financial Services committees and as chairman of the Subcommittee on Bond Indebtedness. Capriglione is also president of Texas Adventure Capital LLC, which provides services to small businesses.

Castro, D-San Antonio, was first elected in 2012 to represent Texas’ Congressional District 20. He serves on the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees and in 2013 was elected president of the freshman Democratic class. Previously, Castro served for 10 years in the Texas Legislature.

Chozick has written for The New York Times since 2011. She has written extensively about Bill and Hillary Clinton since 2007, when she began covering Hillary Clinton’s first presidential campaign. Before joining The Times, Chozick spent eight years working for The Wall Street Journal, covering foreign affairs and national politics.

Clancy was appointed to the Texas Ethics Commission in 2010 and has served as its chairman. He is president of the Corpus Christi business law firm Branscomb PC, where he focuses on corporate litigation. He received a Bronze Star Medal for his military service in Desert Storm.

Collier reports on the environment and public education for the Tribune. Previously, she reported on government and politics for the Austin American-Statesman and the Houston Chronicle. Collier began her career in West Texas reporting for Reuters America Service and the San Angelo Standard-Times, where she covered the city council, water issues and the 83rd Legislature.

Crownover, R-Denton, has represented District 64 in the Texas House since 2000. In addition to chairing the House Public Health Committee, she is a member of the Higher Education Committee. She is also president of Crownover Inc. and director of Northstar Bank and formerly worked as a public school teacher.

Cuellar, D-Laredo, was first elected in 2005 to represent Texas’ Congressional District 28. He serves on the House Appropriations Committee and on the Subcommittee on Homeland Security and Transportation, Housing & Urban Development. Previously, Cuellar served as secretary of state of Texas and in the Texas Legislature.

Darling was elected mayor of McAllen in 2013. Previously, he served six years on the City Commission and worked nearly 30 years as the city attorney. In addition, Darling sat on the board of the McAllen Boys & Girls Club and headed the Fields Elementary Parent Teacher Association.

DeBeauvoir has served as the Travis County Clerk since 1987. She is responsible for the issuance of marriage licenses and the management of court records. In 1993, DeBeauvoir instituted the first domestic partnership registry in the state of Texas. In 2015, she issued the first marriage license to a same-sex couple in Texas.

Delco was first appointed to the Ethics Commission in 2008 and was reappointed in 2011 by then-Lt. Gov. Dewhurst. Previously, Delco served in the Texas House and was the first woman to be named speaker pro tempore. She also served on the board of trustees of the Austin Independent School District and is a founder of Austin Community College.

Dessler is a scientist whose research areas are atmospheric chemistry, climate change and climate change policy. After receiving his Ph.D. in 1994, he spent two years doing research at NASA and served as a senior policy analyst in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy during the last year of the Clinton administration.

Doggett heads the Office of Early Learning in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. She previously directed the Pew Home Visiting Campaign, which works to provide home-based programs for vulnerable new families. Before that, Doggett directed Pre-K Now, a Pew campaign to advance high-quality preschool throughout the country.

Dudensing was appointed CEO of TAHP in 2014. She previously served two sessions as the health and human services budget analyst on the House Appropriations Committee. Dudensing also worked for Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, first as senior adviser for budget and policy and then as deputy chief of staff and policy director.

Dunkelberg joined the Center in 1994, where she focuses on policy and budget issues related to health care access and immigrants’ access to public benefits. She also serves as co-chair for the Texas CHIP Coalition. She previously served in the state Medicaid Director’s office at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

Eckhardt became Travis County’s first female county judge in January 2015. She presides over the Commissioners Court. Previously, she represented Precinct 2 on the Commissioners Court and she served as an assistant Travis County attorney for eight years. Eckhardt also served on the Capital Area Council of Governments executive committee.

Eugster is responsible for the overall operations and evolution of CPS Energy’s generation capabilities, including traditional power plants and renewable energy sources. He serves on the board of the Solar Electric Power Association. Previously, Eugster served as the first chief officer for sustainable growth for the city of Houston under then-Mayor Bill White and was partner at McKinsey & Company.

Farias, D-San Antonio, has represented House District 118 since 2007. He serves on the House Defense and Veterans’ Affairs Committee and is a member of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus. Previously, Farias served on the board of the San Antonio Zoning Commission and the board of the Harlandale Independent School District. Farias served in the U.S. Army.

Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, has represented District 116 in the Texas House since 2000. He sits on the Ways & Means and Special Purpose Districts committees and serves as chairman of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus. In 2014, Martinez Fischer, along with Rep. Lyle Larson, R-San Antonio, was assigned to monitor the University of Texas System after a House investigation into regent activity.

Friedholm recently retired after working for 35 years in the health policy field. Most recently, she served as director Consumers Union’s health reform campaign team. Previously, she was appointed by then-Gov. Ann Richards as a representative on President Bill Clinton’s health reform task force, and she also served as the Texas commissioner of health and human services.

Garza served as the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico from 2002 to 2009. Before his appointment, he served two years as the Texas secretary of state and was also the chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission. He is currently counsel in the Mexico City office of White and Case.

Giddings, D-DeSoto, has represented House District 109 since 1993. She is a member of the House Appropriations and Calendars committees and serves as vice chairwoman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Article III. Giddings is also the president and founder of Multiplex Inc., a specialty concessions company. Previously, she served as vice president of leadership development at the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce.

Gonzalez was first elected to serve on the Houston City Council in 2009. He has served as mayor pro tem since 2012 and chairs the Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee. Previously, Gonzalez served 18 years in the Houston Police Department, where he earned the rank of Sergeant and worked as a homicide investigator.

Graves is the founder of the Anthony Graves Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to aiding children who are affected by the criminal justice system. He spent 18 years in prison, twelve on Texas’ death row, before he was exonerated and released in 2010. In June, Graves was appointed to the board of the Houston Forensic Science Center.

Grisham founded Open Carry Texas, a nonprofit advocating for gun rights, in 2013 and serves as the organization’s president. He and his organization played a strategic role in the passage of the the 84th Texas Legislature’s open carry and campus carry legislation. Grisham is a retired Army first sergeant and is a Texas Senate candidate in District 24.

Hall is serving his first term representing Senate District 2. He is a member of the Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs, Natural Resources & Economic Development, Transportation and Veteran Affairs & Military Installations committees as well as vice chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Border Security. Previously, Hall worked as a systems engineer and business development manager in the aerospace industry.

Hall was appointed to a six-year term on the Board of Regents in 2011. He is the chairman of the Technology Transfer and Research Committee and serves as a member on both the Facilities Planning and Construction Committee and the Finance and Planning Committee. Hall is the board’s liaison to the governor’s office on technology transfer and commercialization.

Since 1988, Hammond has led the Texas Association of Business, the state’s largest business organization. Previously, he served on the Texas Workforce Commission and was appointed chairman by then-Gov. George W. Bush. Hammond also served four terms in the Texas House and was named one of the 25 most powerful people in Texas politics in 2011 by Texas Monthly.

Harless, R-Spring, has represented House District 126 since 2007. She is a member of the House Calendars, State Affairs and Transportation committees, and the Long-term Infrastructure Planning Subcommittee. She also serves on the board of the Lone Star College Foundation. Previously, she served seven years on the Texas Motor Vehicle Board.

Hegar, who was elected comptroller in 2014, previously served as a member of the Texas Senate and House. Hegar serves as Texas’ treasurer, check writer, tax collector, procurement officer and revenue estimator. He also previously served as chairman of the Sunset Advisory Commission, which reviews the operation and efficiency of each state agency.

Hernandez, D-Houston, was first elected to represent District 143 in the Texas House in 2005. She currently serves on the House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence and Pensions committees and previously served on the House County Affairs Committee. Hernandez works as an attorney at Carrigan, McCloskey & Roberson, LLP, a Houston-based law firm specializing in civil litigation.

Hinojosa, D-McAllen, has represented Senate District 20 since 2003. He also serves on the Senate Criminal Justice; Natural Resources & Economic Development; and Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs committees. Previously, Hinojosa served in the Texas House and in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.

Howard, D-Austin, was first elected in 2006 to serve District 48 in the Texas House. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, she sits on the Article III Subcommittee (Education Funding). She also serves on the House Administration Committee. Before her election to the Legislature, Howard worked as a critical care nurse.

Huffines, R-Dallas, is serving his first term representing Senate District 16. He is a member of the Senate Administration, Business and Commerce, and Education committees. Previously, Huffines served as a delegate to the 2008 and 2012 Republican National Conventions. He is the co-founder of Huffines Communities, a real estate land development company.

Hull has led Grand Prairie ISD since 2007. Previously, she served as superintendent in five Texas school districts and was selected as the Texas Superintendent of the Year by the Texas Association of School Boards in 2005. In 2014, she was appointed to the State Board of Educator Certification by then-Gov. Rick Perry. Hull has previously served as a teacher, coach and principal.

Isaac, R-Dripping Springs, has represented House District 45 since 2011. Isaac is a member of the House Environmental Regulation, Local & Consent Calendars, and Economic & Small Business Development committees. He also serves as chairman of the Subcommittee on Small Business. Isaac is the founder of the Hill Country Caucus in the House.

Jackson has served as chancellor of the University of North Texas System since 2002. He is responsible for the University of North Texas in Denton, the UNT Health Science Center in Fort Worth and UNT Dallas. Previously, Jackson spent 10 years serving in the Texas House and served four terms as Dallas County judge.

Jepson’s research focuses on environmental inequities in low-income rural and peri-urban Mexican-American neighborhoods along the Texas-Mexico border. Previously, she studied the rise of new energy systems and local communities in West Texas. Jepson was recently awarded a research grant from the National Science Foundation.

Johnson, D-Dallas, has represented Congressional District 30 since 1993. She is a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and also serves on the Aviation, Highways and Transit, and Water Resources and Environment subcommittees. Previously, Johnson served in the Texas House and Senate and had worked as a registered nurse.

Kaine, D-Va., was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2012. He serves on the Senate Armed Services, Budget, Foreign Relations and Aging committees. Kaine is also the founder and co-chairman of the Career and Technical Education Caucus, which focuses on improving access to technical education programs for students. He previously served as the governor of Virginia.

Keith in July was appointed chief executive of Texas Central Partners, a private company behind the development of a high-speed rail line connecting Dallas and Houston. Previously, he served as the chief investment officer of HKS Capital Advisors and as global chief executive officer of RREEF/Deutsche Bank Infrastructure Investments. Keith currently serves on the Westmont College board of trustees.

Khator has served as University of Houston System chancellor and University of Houston president since January 2008. During her tenure, the system has experienced record-breaking research funding and enrollment. She also serves as board chair for the American Council on Education. Khator previously served as provost and senior vice president at the University of South Florida.

Kingston was first elected in 2013 to represent District 14 on the Dallas City Council. He was appointed by Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings as chairman of the Ad Hoc Judicial Nominations Committee and is a member of the Police and Fire Pension Board. Kingston is also a founding member of the Dallas Bar Association’s Public Forum Committee and previously served as the committee’s chairman.

Klick, R-Fort Worth, has represented House District 91 since 2013. She is a member of the House Human Services and Pensions committees. Klick is a registered nurse and works as a case manager and health consultant for long-term care facilities and legal firms. She previously served as chairwoman of the Tarrant County Republican Party and as a nursing supervisor at North Hills Medical Center.

Kronberg has been with The Quorum Report, a nonpartisan online publication covering state politics and government, since 1989. He began as a contract writer and bought the publication in 1998. Kronberg is a political analyst for TWC News, Time Warner Cable’s news channel. He owns and operates Austin Flag and Flagpole, Inc.

Langford is an investigative reporter for the Tribune. Previously, she worked for The Associated Press in Dallas and for The Dallas Morning News and the Houston Chronicle, where she covered everything from airport security to strains on the Texas Child Protective Services system. Most recently, Langford worked in public radio, covering New Jersey government for WNYC in Trenton.

Leebron was named the seventh president of Rice University in 2004. He previously taught law at New York University, served as director of NYU’s International Legal Studies Program and went on to become dean at Columbia Law School. He is also a member of the New York State Bar, the American Law Institute and the Council on Foreign Relations.

Lessig entered the race for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination in September. He is currently the Roy L. Furman professor at the Harvard School of Law and director of the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University. Lessig co-founded Creative Commons, which provides tools for authors and artists, and served on the board of the Free Software Foundation.

Lewis was appointed chair of the Texas Transportation Commission in February by Gov. Greg Abbott. Previously, he represented District 81 in the Texas House, where he served as chairman of the House Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee. Lewis also held office as a state district judge and currently practices law in Odessa.

Livingston joined the Tribune in 2014 as the lead reporter in Washington, D.C. She has covered political campaigns, House leadership and Congress for Roll Call, the Capitol Hill newspaper. Previously, Livingston pitched and produced political segments for CNN’s John King, USA, worked as a TV editor for The Hotline and was a political researcher at NBC News.

Lucio, D-Brownsville, has represented Senate District 27 since 1991. He is also the vice chairman of the Senate Education Committee and a member of the Natural Resources & Economic Development and Veteran Affairs & Military Installations committees. Lucio also serves on the Senate Border Security Subcommittee. Lucio previously served as Cameron County treasurer and as a county commissioner.

MacLaggan is the Tribune’s news editor. Previously, the Austin native worked as a national correspondent for Reuters, writing and editing stories about Texas and nearby states and overseeing a network of freelance writers. Before joining Reuters, she covered Texas government and politics for the Austin American-Statesman.

Magness has served as senior vice president for ERCOT since January. He was appointed the council's incoming CEO in August, effective in 2016. Previously, Magness was a partner at the Casey, Gentz & Magness law firm and has held executive management positions at the Texas Public Utility Commission and at a startup telecommunications company.

Marks has overseen the operations at the Episcopal Health Foundation, a foundation engaged in Texas community health transformation, since 2014. She is also a nonresident fellow in health policy at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. Previously, Marks served for five years as the director of health and environmental policy for the city of Houston.

Marston is the founding director of the Environmental Defense Fund’s Texas office, where he has served since it opened in 1988. He is also on the board of Pecan Street Inc., a research and development organization focused on developing and testing advanced technology. Marston serves as board vice president for the Texas League of Conservation Voters and on the board of The Texas Observer.

As chairman, Martinez oversees and ensures the responsible development of Eagle Ford shale activities in South Texas. He has previously held several public offices, including city councilman, mayor and county judge. In addition, Martinez was appointed by then-Gov. Ann Richards to the Texas Office of State-Federal Relations, the Agricultural Finance Authority and Texas Rural Communities Inc.

Martinez has served as the mayor of Brownsville since 2011. He previously served as a financial adviser to the Texas Southmost College Foundation, as a member of the boards at the Incarnate Word and St. Joseph’s Academies and founded Guadalupe Regional Middle School. During his time in office, Martinez has seen SpaceX and high-end manufacturing companies invest in Brownsville.

McCall has been the Texas State University System chancellor since 2010. Previously, he served in the Texas House, representing parts of North Dallas, Frisco, Allen and Plano. He also served as chairman of the House Calendars and Ways and Means committees and as a member of the House Higher Education Committee.

McCraw assumed leadership of the Texas Department of Public Safety in 2009. Previously, he served as then-Gov. Rick Perry’s chief of homeland security for almost five years, overseeing efforts to increase border security and curb violence caused by drug-trafficking cartels. Before that, McCraw had a 21-year career with the FBI.

McKinnon is an award-winning media producer and communications strategist. He is a co-founder of the nonpartisan, nonprofit group No Labels, and he serves as a global vice chairman for Hill + Knowlton Strategies. He also serves as co-chairman of Southerners for the Freedom to Marry. Previously, McKinnon served as the principal media strategist for George W. Bush’s presidential campaigns.

Meadows has led the Commission for High-Speed Rail since its creation in January 2014. He is a former Fort Worth city councilman and state transportation commissioner. Meadows also serves as chairman emeritus of Hub International Insurance Services, former chairman of the North Texas High Speed Rail Commission and is on the board of directors of the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

Miller, who served six terms representing District 59 in the Texas House, was elected Texas agriculture commissioner in 2014. While in the House, he served as chairman of the Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee and as chairman of the House Republican Caucus. Miller also served on the State Agriculture Policy Board.

Mittra joined the Tribune after more than a decade at The Dallas Morning News, where he worked as a copy editor, on the political desk, as a night city editor supervising the coverage of late-breaking news and on the editing team for the 2009 and 2011 legislative sessions. Mittra is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin journalism school.

Morrison, R-Victoria, has represented House District 30 since 1999. She is a member of the House Higher Education Committee and also sits on the Post-Secondary and Workforce Readiness Subcommittee. Previously, Morrison served as secretary and treasurer of the Texas Conservative Coalition. She is also a former executive director of the Governor’s Commission for Women, which she held under then-Gov. George W. Bush.

Naishtat, D-Austin, was first elected to represent House District 49 in 1990. He sits on the House Human Services Committee. Naishtat is a founding board member of the House Progressive Caucus. Previously, he served as chairman of Austin’s Community Development Commission and directed the University of Texas School of Social Work’s Legislative Training Program.

Nevárez, D-Eagle Pass, was elected to represent House District 74 in 2012. He is a member of the House Local and Consent Calendars and Natural Resources committees and the Subcommittee on Special Water Districts. Nevárez has also served as a trustee on the Eagle Pass Independent School District Board. He heads his own law firm, the Nevárez Law Group.

Nielsen-Gammon has served as the state climatologist since 2000. He is also a professor of meteorology at Texas A&M University. He has conducted extensive research on jet streams and extreme rainfall events and performed diagnostic analysis of ozone events in Houston and Dallas. Nielsen-Gammon regularly writes a climate science column for the Houston Chronicle.

Noorani has led the National Immigration Forum, a Washington D.C.-based U.S. immigration policy organization, since 2008 in its mission to tout the value of immigrants and immigration to the United States. He has more than a decade of experience in public policy advocacy, nonprofit management and coalition organizing.

O’Rourke, D-El Paso, was first elected in 2012 to represent Texas’ Congressional District 16. He sits on the House Armed Services and Veterans’ Affairs committees. Previously, O’Rourke served on the El Paso City Council for six years. He is also a co-founder of Stanton Street Technology.

Paddie, R-Marshall, was first elected to represent House District 9 in 2012. He is a member of the House Administration and Transportation committees and the Long-term Infrastructure Planning Subcommittee. Paddie previously served on the Marshall City Commission and as mayor of Marshall. He is the general manager of KMHT Radio and hosts the daily talk show The Talk of East Texas.

Paredes was appointed Texas higher education commissioner in 2004. He is also a member of the national board of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters. Previously, Paredes served as the vice chancellor for academic development at the University of California, Los Angeles and as vice president for programs at the Hispanic Scholarship Fund.

Parker, R-Flower Mound, has represented House District 63 since 2007. He is a member of the House Redistricting, Ways & Means, and State & Federal Power & Responsibility committees. Previously, he served as the vice chairman of the Technology, Economic Development and Workforce Committee. Before being elected to the Legislature, Parker served as chairman of the Texas Industrial Development Corporation.

Pelosi is the Democratic leader of the U.S. House in the 114th Congress. From 2007 to 2011, she served as the first woman speaker of the House, and she has led House Democrats for more than a decade. Pelosi has represented San Francisco’s 12th district for 28 years.

Perry, R-Lubbock, was elected to represent Senate District 28 in 2014. He sits on the Senate Criminal Justice, Health & Human Services, and Higher Education committees. Perry previously served in the Texas House, representing House District 83. He has also served as president of the Lubbock Boys and Girls Club and with the American Business Clubs.

Philpott has covered state politics and other topics for KUT since 2002. He is also co-host of The Ticket 2016, a podcast produced by KUT and The Texas Tribune covering the presidential election. Previously, he worked in public radio and at several television stations in Alabama and Tennessee. Philpott has been named Radio Journalist of the Year by the Houston Press Club three times.

Price, R-Amarillo, was first elected to the Texas House in 2010. He currently serves on the House Appropriations, Calendars and Human Services committees. He chairs the Appropriations Subcommittee on Article II (Health and Human Services) and was recently appointed co-chairman of the Health and Human Services Commission Transition Legislative Oversight Committee. Price is a licensed attorney working in Amarillo.

Ramshaw oversees The Texas Tribune’s editorial operations, from daily coverage to major projects. Under her leadership, the Tribune has won six national Edward R. Murrow Awards, IRE’s Gannett Award for Innovation in Watchdog Journalism and a general excellence award from the Online News Association. Previously, Ramshaw spent six years as a political and investigative reporter at The Dallas Morning News.

Rather has a long history in television and radio journalism. He began his career in 1954 at Houston’s KTRH radio station. He most famously worked as a reporter and anchor at CBS News for more than four decades, covering events such as John F. Kennedy’s assassination, the Vietnam War and the Sept. 11 attacks.Rather hosts two television programs on AXS TV.

Raymond, D-Laredo, has represented House District 42 since 2001. He is a member of the House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee. Previously, Raymond passed legislation that helped to create the Texas Tomorrow Fund, a prepaid college tuition program. Prior to representing Laredo, Raymond served three terms representing several rural counties that include much of the Eagle Ford Shale.

Rinaldi, R-Irving, began representing House District 115 in 2015. He is a member of both the House Agriculture & Livestock and Business & Industry committees. Rinaldi currently serves as senior counsel at Dykema Cox Smith and has worked at the law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. He also sits on the board of a publicly traded real estate investment trust.

Rocha joined the Tribune staff as the multimedia reporter after working eight years in television and radio news. She has covered politics for stations in Florida and Kansas, and was most recently YNN’s lead political reporter in Austin. Rocha received bachelor’s degrees in journalism and Spanish from the University of Florida.

Rodríguez, D-El Paso, has represented Senate District 29, which includes more than 350 miles of the Texas-Mexico border, since 2011. He sits on the Education, Nominations, Veterans Affairs & Military Installations, Health & Human Services, and Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs committees. Previously, Rodríguez served as vice chairman of the Senate Jurisprudence Committee.

Rosenthal covers Texas government and politics, health and human services and enterprise projects for the Houston Chronicle’s statehouse bureau, which he joined in May 2014. Previously, he covered Washington state government and the region’s mental-health system for The Seattle Times. Rosenthal is a graduate of Northwestern University.

Rubio has led Cintra U.S., a private company that develops and manages transportation infrastructure, since 2009. Previously, he worked for the Ferrovial Group, a Spanish company that designs and maintains urban infrastructure, where he served as technical and tendering manager. In 2010, Rubio was named “Private Sector Entrepreneur of the Year” by the American Road Transportation Builders Association.

Saenz assumed the mayoral office in 2014. Previously, he served 12 years, four as president, on the board of the Laredo Community College. Saenz is also a former president of the South Texas Food Bank and the Laredo Affordable Housing Corporation. In addition, he has founded his own law firm and previously worked as a conservationist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

As head of the Meadows Center, Sansom oversees university policy and research related to freshwater resources and administers the center’s freshwater environmental education program. Previously, he served as the executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Nature Conservancy and founded the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation.

Seliger, R-Amarillo, was first elected to represent Senate District 31 in 2004. In addition to chairing the Higher Education Committee, he is a member of the Finance, Education, Business & Commerce and Natural Resources & Economic Development committees. He is also a member of the Select Committee on Government Facilities. Before joining the Legislature, Seliger served four terms as mayor of Amarillo.

Shapard has served as chief executive since 2007. He also serves as chairman of GridWise Alliance, an advocacy organization dedicated to modernizing the country’s power grid. Previously, Shapard worked as a managing director for the electric generation and trading business TXU Australia. In addition, he worked as the chief financial officer at Exelon Corporation.

Sharp was appointed chancellor by the Texas A&M University System’s Board of Regents in 2011. Previously, he was a principal with Ryan & Company, a tax consulting firm. Sharp has served in numerous public offices including the Texas House, the state Senate, the Railroad Commission and as comptroller.

Sheets, R-Dallas, was first elected to represent District 107 in the Texas House in 2010. He serves on the House Insurance, Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence, and Local & Consent Calendars committees. Sheets is a partner at the Payne and Blanchard law firm and has also served as a major in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Smith is the CEO and editor-in-chief of The Texas Tribune. Before co-founding the Tribune, Smith spent nearly 18 years at Texas Monthly, including eight years as editor and a year as president and editor-in-chief. Smith also hosts Overheard with Evan Smith, airing on PBS stations nationally.

Smith is an enterprise reporter at the Tribune, where she specializes in politics and profiles. Previously she covered public education, from school finance reform to accountability and testing in Texas public schools. In 2014, she received a national Education Writers Association award for "Faking the Grade," a series on the for-profit tutoring industry.

Springer, R-Muenster, was first elected to represent House District 68 in 2012. He is a member of the House Agriculture & Livestock, Local & Consent Calendars and Way & Means committees. Previously, Springer did accounting work at a Texas railcar company and managed agricultural futures at his father’s financial services company. He has also served as a volunteer firefighter.

Starr, who joined the attorney general’s office in 2014, oversees special litigation, the Opinions Committee, the General Counsel Division, the Public Finance Division and the Open Records Division. Previously, Starr served as staff attorney to Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman and practiced commercial and appellate litigation at King & Spalding LLP.

Straus, R-San Antonio, was elected in 2005 to represent House District 121 and has served as speaker for the past four legislative sessions. He is joint chairman of the Legislative Budget Board, the Legislative Audit Committee and the Texas Legislative Council. Prior to his election, Straus served on numerous campaigns for federal, state and local candidates.

Svarzbein is a faculty member at the Texas Tech College of Architecture. His election platform on community development and the arts stems from his involvement in restoring El Paso’s historic streetcars, a project that led to $97 million in state funds to the city. He serves on the board of the Jewish Federation of Greater El Paso and the El Paso Artist Guild.

Tallant became the 19th president of Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 2008. Previously, he served as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Tallant is a member of the Executive Committee for the Texas Council of Public University Presidents and Chancellors and a past chairman of the Lone Star Council of Presidents.

Taylor, R-Friendswood, has represented Senate District 11 since 2013. In addition to chairing the Senate Education Committee, he serves on the Finance, Business and Commerce and Intergovernmental Relations committees. Previously, he served five terms in the Texas House. Taylor is owner of Truman Taylor Insurance Agency in Friendswood.

Thurber was elected mayor of Wimberley in 2014. Previously, he served on the Wimberley City Council for nearly six years. He is a certified public accountant and partner at the Linn Thurber, LLP accounting firm. Thurber also serves on the advisory board of the Friends of Blue Hole, a nonprofit benefiting Wimberley’s Blue Hole Regional Park.

Toti joined the center in 2006 as a litigation fellow and was promoted to senior staff attorney in the U.S. Legal Program in 2010. Her practice focuses on protecting reproductive rights through litigation and advocacy. Toti holds an adjunct appointment at Fordham Law School and previously served as an associate at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, LLP.

Tumulty joined The Washington Post in 2010. She was the recipient of the 2013 Toner Prize for Excellence in Political Reporting. Previously, she worked as a national political correspondent at Time magazine, where she wrote or co-wrote more than three dozen cover stories. Outside of print, Tumulty has appeared as a news analyst on PBS’ Washington Week and Fox News’ Special Report with Bret Baier.

Turner, D-Grand Prairie, has represented District 101 in the Texas House since 2013. He also served as the district’s representative from 2009-10. He is a member of the House Higher Education, Ways & Means, and General Investigating & Ethics committees, as well as the Higher Education Subcommittee on Post-Secondary & Workforce Readiness. Turner also works as a communications consultant.

Ura covers politics and demographics, with an emphasis on the state’s surging Hispanic population, for the Tribune, where she started as an intern. She also covers women's health and LGBT issues. Ura has a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin.

Van Duyne is currently serving her second term as mayor, and was first elected in 2011. She is a member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Advisory Board, the Texas Municipal League and the North Central Texas Council of Governments. Van Duyne is also a member of the executive boards of the North Texas Commission and the Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce.

Villalba, R-Dallas, was elected in 2012 to represent House District 114. He serves on the House Business & Industry and Economic & Small Business Development committees. Villalba founded the Freshman Delegation, a bipartisan group dedicated to building relationships through the legislative process. Villalba is also a partner at Haynes and Boone, a Dallas law firm.

Villarreal stepped down as mayor in March 2015. He served 14 years in city government, working as city alderman, city commissioner, mayor pro-tem, economic development president, city manager and mayor of Rio Grande City. Villarreal is now running to represent Congressional District 15 in the U.S. Congress.

Watkins writes about higher education and the business of college sports for the Tribune. Previously, he covered local government as the Dallas County government reporter at The Dallas Morning News and was a staff writer at the Bryan-College Station Eagle, covering everything from natural disasters to college football games.

Wear covers transportation for the Austin American-Statesman where he has worked since 1994 and held the transportation beat since 2003. He also teaches journalism as an adjunct professor and, in the fall, is a football official for everything from Pop Warner to high school games.

In 1973, Weddington argued the winning side of the Roe v. Wade case before the U.S. Supreme Court. She has also served three terms in the Texas House. Weddington worked as an adviser to then-President Jimmy Carter, helping direct the administration’s work on women’s issues. She also served as a professor at the University of Texas at Austin for more than 25 years.

Wermund covers higher education for the Houston Chronicle, where he’s written about everything from state funding issues to fraternity hazing. Previously, he covered K-12 education in Austin at the Austin American-Statesman and worked for the Big Bend Sentinel in Marfa. Wermund began his career at The Daily Texan.

White, R-Woodville, was first elected in 2010 to represent House District 19. He is a member of the House Juvenile Justice & Family Issues and Emerging Issues in Texas Law Enforcement committees. Previously, White served as an instructor at the U.S. Infantry School and a professor of government at Angelina College.

Wohlgemuth served 10 years in the Texas House, where she served as chairwoman of the appropriations subcommittee on health and human services. She is currently the director of the Center for Health Care Policy at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Previously, she served as president of the Texas Conservative Coalition.

Wray, R-Waxahachie, was elected to represent House District 10 in 2014. He is a member of the House Ways & Means and Homeland Security & Public Safety committees. In addition, Wray works as a lawyer, focusing on transactional and banking law, and is a co-owner of Town Square Title, a title company offering title insurance and escrow services.

Wu, D-Houston, has represented House District 137 since 2013. He is a member of the House County Affairs and Energy Resources committees. He is also an attorney in private practice and previously served as a prosecutor in the Harris County district attorney’s office. He is the past president of the Houston 80-20 Political Action Committee and a board member at OCA Greater Houston.

Zerwas, R-Richmond, has represented House District 28 since 2007. He is a member of the House Public Health Committee. Zerwas, an anesthesiologist, is also a member of the Texas Medical Association and previously served as the chief medical officer of the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System in Houston.