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. Originally elected as a Democrat, Guillen formally switched parties and became a Republican on November 15, 2021. In November 2022, Guillen became the first Republican to win Duval County since 1904, Starr County since 1892, and the first to ever win Jim Hogg County, having won them by a combined 30 point margin.

Early life and career

A sixth-generation South Texan, he grew up working at the family's feed store and as a ranch hand on the family farm, later receiving a degree in Agriculture from Texas A&M University and then serving as a local high school Ag teacher before pursuing public office. A native of Starr County, 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.

Texas State Legislature

Having been named "Legislator of the Year," "Best of the House," or "Legislative Champion" over a half dozen times just this year alone by numerous statewide organizations, no other member has passed more legislation out of the House in a single session in history. Capitol Inside called him a "House Bill Machine," and "A One-Person Assembly Line for legislation." Guillen has a long history of leadership roles in the Texas Legislature, including having served in leadership positions in all four Speaker Administrations that he has served under. In 2007, he was appointed Vice-Chair of the powerful Appropriations Committee at the age of 29 by Speaker Tom Craddick. In 2011, he was appointed Chair of the Culture, Recreation & Tourism Committee and would serve in that role for an additional two sessions under Speaker Joe Straus. In 2019, he was appointed Chair of the Resolutions Calendars Committee by Dennis Bonnen. In 2023, he was appointed Chair of the Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee and the Select Committee on Community Safety by Speaker Dade Phelan. Guillen was the only member appointed to Chair for two separate committees. In 2023, Guillen was selected as Chair of the Texas Nuclear Caucus, to advance nuclear energy in Texas. In the Spring of 2024, Guillen was chosen to Chair the Texas Hispanic Republican Caucus. In the 2024 General Election, all THRC members were re-elected and the caucus was able grow its memberships. Guillen hosts his marquee seasonal Dairy Queen Listening Tour across the district and Community Summit at the Capitol, the only mock Student Legislative Session, and the largest Legislative Internship Program of any member of the Texas Legislature.

Committee assignments

Representative Guillen has been on several important House committees throughout his political career. He has served on the following committees throughout his tenure. 78th Session • Election Contests, Select • Land and Resource Management • Public School Finance, Select • Regulated Industries 79th Session • Appropriations • Education, Select • Election Contests, Select • Financial Institutions (Budget and Oversight Chair) 80th Session • Appropriations (Vice Chairman) • Natural Resources • Calendars • Higher and Public Education Finance, Select 81st Session • Border and Intergovernmental Affairs • Oversight of Windstorm Insurance • Transportation • Transportation, Select 82nd Session • Culture, Recreation and Tourism (chair) • Public Education • Oversight of Windstorm Insurance • Election Contest, Select 83rd Session • Culture, Recreation and Tourism (chair) • Licensing and Administrative Procedures • Study Water Desalination (Joint Interim) 84th Session • Culture, Recreation and Tourism (chair) • Licensing and Administrative Procedures 85th Session • Licensing and Administrative Procedures (Vice Chair) • State Affairs 86th Session • Resolutions Calendars (chair) • Ways and Means (Vice Chair) • Licensing and Administrative Procedures 87th Session • Resolutions Calendars (chair) • Agriculture & Livestock • Licensing and Administrative Procedures • Redistricting 88th Session • Homeland Security and Public Safety (chair) • Select, Community Safety (chair) • State Affairs

Election history

General Election 2024: HD 31 General Election 2022: HD 31 Republican Primary Election 2022: HD 31 General Election 2020: HD 31 General Election 2018: HD 31 Democratic Primary Election 2018: HD 31 General Election 2016: HD 31 General Election 2014: HD 31 General Election 2012: HD 31 General Election 2010: HD 31 General Election 2008: HD 31 General Election 2006: HD 31 General Election 2004: HD 31 General Election 2002: HD 31 Democratic Primary Runoff Election 2002: HD 31 Democratic Primary Election 2002: HD 31