Paul David Bettencourt (born October 20, 1958) is an American politician and businessman based out of Houston, Texas, who serves as a Republican member of the Texas State Senate from District 7. On January 13, 2015, he succeeded state Senator Dan Patrick of Houston, who successfully ran for Lieutenant Governor of Texas.
Paul Bettencourt | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Majority Leader of the Texas Senate | |
| In office January 26, 2016 – January 12, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Kelly Hancock |
| Succeeded by | Larry Taylor |
| Member of the Texas Senate from the 7th district | |
| Assumed office January 13, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Dan Patrick |
| Tax Assessor-Collector of Harris County | |
| In office 1999–2009 | |
| Preceded by | Carl Smith |
| Succeeded by | Leo Vasquez |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Paul David Bettencourt October 20, 1958 Harris County, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Susan Sladic |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Texas A&M University (BS) |
| Signature |  |
Political career
editHarris County Tax Assessor-Collector
editFrom 1998 to early in 2008, Bettencourt was the Tax Assessor-Collector of his native Harris County, the third largest county in the United States.
Bettencourt won reelection in 2000, 2004, and 2008.[1]
The Democratic Party and plaintiffs filed suit and requested a temporary restraining order against the Voter Registrar Bettencourt after the 2008 election, asking a Federal Judge to block the counting of 7000+ provisional ballots from the November 2008 election.[2] However, the temporary restraining order was denied by the Judge. All 7000+ provisional ballots were reviewed by Election Officials, and either rejected or accepted and then electronically counted.[3][4][5]
Texas State Senate
edit2014 election
editBettencourt ran for the Texas State Senate in 2014 again enlisted the help of top Republican Strategist Allen Blakemore.[6][7]
Tenure
editBettencourt has also warned of serious pension liability problems in Texas and has proposed long-term market-based reforms which he claims will not impact those nearing retirement and have already paid significantly into the pension systems.[8]
2018 reelection
editTenure
editHe authored a bill that the Texas Senate passed in 2019 that would move bond, debt and tax elections to the November general elections and limit the length of propositions.[9]
Radio host
editBettencourt is a conservative talk radio host on KSEV, owned by his predecessor Dan Patrick.[10]
References
edit- ^ "Cumulative Report Official" (PDF). HarrisVotes. November 2, 2004. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015.
- ^ "Democrats sue Bettencourt over votes for Harris Judges". Houston Chronicle. November 12, 2008.
- ^ "The Battle over Provisional Ballots". 2 on the Beat. November 12, 2008.
- ^ "Paul Bettencourt plans to resign". 2onthebeat.wordpress.com. December 6, 2008. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
- ^ Liz Austin Peterson (December 24, 2008). "Vasquez takes charge of Harris County tax office: Commissioners vote 4-1 to fill recent vacancy". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
- ^ "Endorsements". paulbettencourt.com. 28 June 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
- ^ "General election returns, November 4, 2014". Texas Secretary of State. Archived from the original on November 5, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
- ^ "Future shock," San Antonio Express-News, April 16, 2017, p. F2.
- ^ "Bill would move bond elections". Wylie News. Wylie, Texas. May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
- ^ Malewitz, Jim; Walters, Edgar (July 27, 2017). "Radio Made Dan Patrick Powerful in Texas. And it's Helping Him Stay that Way". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
External links
edit- Senator Paul Bettencourt: District 7 government site
- Paul Bettencourt for Senate District 7 campaign site
- Profile at Ballotpedia