Senator Royce West: District 23

Royce is originally from Annapolis, Maryland. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Texas at Arlington and a law degree from the University of Houston. Royce lives in DeSoto with his wife, Carol.

Royce also currently works as the managing partner of a law firm.

Royce West is a state senator in State Senate District 23. He was elected in 1992 and is serving his 8th term. He ran for the U.S. Senate in 2020 but did not win.

Candidate website

Supports raising the federal and state minimum wage.

Supports policies that foster business growth, job creation, and economic stability.

Wants to foster business and economic growth.

Advocated for a program that helps support women and minority-owned businesses.

- Supports raising the minimum wage.
- Wants to foster business and economic growth.
- Advocated for a program that helps support women and minority-owned businesses.

Economy

As a senator, led efforts to improve public safety by installing in-car video cameras, bulletproof vests, and body cameras for law enforcement.

Supported legislation to place video cameras in police vehicles and allow police officers to wear bulletproof vests and body cameras.

As a State Senator, spearheaded legislation to continue the 75216 & 75217 projects, which aim to reduce juvenile crime and recidivism.

Sponsored legislation to continue projects that aim to reduce juvenile crime and recidivism.

As a state representative, helped pass legislation updating the Texas racial profiling law and revising laws on criminal history records.

Supported legislation to update the racial profiling law and broaden what can be sealed or expunged from criminal records, including unprosecuted cases.

Wants to improve police accountability by requiring police officers to stop other officers from using excessive force and ending "qualified immunity," which protects law enforcement officers from prosecution for unconstitutional conduct.

- Supported legislation to place video cameras in police vehicles and allow police officers to wear bulletproof vests and body cameras.
- Sponsored legislation to continue projects that aim to reduce juvenile crime and recidivism.
- Supported legislation to update the racial profiling law and broaden what can be sealed or expunged from criminal records, including unprosecuted cases.
- Wants to improve police accountability by requiring police officers to stop other officers from using excessive force and ending "qualified immunity," which protects law enforcement officers from prosecution for unconstitutional conduct.

Public Safety

Supports Medicare expansion and believes healthcare is a "human right."

Supports expanding access to Medicaid, including to veterans,

- Supports access to abortion.
- Supports expanding access to Medicaid, including to veterans,

Healthcare

Advocates for increased funding for K-12 and higher education.

Advocated to create the University of North Texas at Dallas.

As a senator, led efforts to boost financial aid for college students by enhancing the Texas grants program, supporting the Top Ten Percent Rule for state school admission, and increasing funding for at-risk youth programs.

Supported increasing funding for grants for public universities and programs for at-risk youth.

Sponsored legislation that would require public schools to provide education on domestic and dating violence.

- Advocated to create the University of North Texas at Dallas.
- Supported increasing funding for grants for public universities and programs for at-risk youth.
- Sponsored legislation that would require public schools to provide education on domestic and dating violence.

Education

Authored legislation that would create a commission to set resiliency standards for the electric grid.

Authored legislation that would make projects to capture carbon emissions eligible for an existing tax credit.

- Authored legislation that would create a commission to set resiliency standards for the electric grid.
- Authored legislation that would make projects to capture carbon emissions eligible for an existing tax credit.

Energy & the Environment

As of September 7, 2024, Royce West’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Voting & Elections

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Royce West

Royce is originally from Annapolis, Maryland. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Texas at Arlington and a law degree from the University of Houston. Royce lives in DeSoto with his wife, Carol.

Royce West currently serves as the state senator for District 23. He was elected in 1992 and is serving his 8th term. He ran for the US Senate in 2020 but did not win.

Supports ensuring basic rights and opportunities for all Texans.

Believes in ensuring "basic rights and opportunities for all Texans," which may include economic policies aimed at job creation, fair wages, and small business support.

Supports policies that promote economic growth, job creation, and financial stability.

Supports economic development and job creation.

Believes that businesses can thrive and integrate into the community.

Believes the candidate is "behind the curve" on economic issues, as evidenced by his press conference with other Republicans.

Supports economic development projects, such as the $33 million project that included a three-story parking garage with 240 spaces.

Supports economic growth in Texas communities.

Supports local businesses and economic development.

Believes in the importance of transparency and accountability in government spending, highlighting a record of "Three Years and $7 Million" to demonstrate responsible financial management.

Believes in investing in community economic development.

Believes Hutchins has potential for growth due to the presence of the inland port and ongoing construction projects.

Supports public safety and honoring historical figures, as evidenced by her support for naming buildings after notable individuals to promote diversity and recognition of contributions to society.

Supports addressing gun reform and mental health.

Believes in being "thankful that justice was served, but not happy" regarding criminal justice outcomes.

Supports the passage of George Floyd legislation to ensure police accountability.

Believes that "the souls of any who do not agree with the numerous counts of murder levied on the three defendants should also be on trial," referring to the murder of Ahmaud Arbery.

Believes in holding police officers accountable for misconduct, as evidenced by his support for the conviction of Derek Chauvin, a former police officer found guilty of murdering George Floyd.

Believes in ensuring public safety through accountability and justice, as demonstrated by his reaction to the Derek Chauvin trial verdict.

Believes public safety legislation, such as the bill bearing George Floyd’s name, is crucial and supports its passage to address current issues.

Supports police accountability legislation.

Opposes the use of body cameras in healthcare settings.

Supports Medicaid expansion and increasing healthcare access for Texans.

Opposes Senate Bill 1109, which would have allowed pharmacists to prescribe certain medications.

As a state senator, Royce West authored and passed one of the first body camera laws in the nation.

Supports SB68, which prohibits the use of chokeholds or other carotid artery restraints by police officers.

As a state representative, championed expanding healthcare opportunities for Texans.

Believes in being proactive in addressing healthcare issues.

Supports expanding Medicaid and improving the maternal mortality rate for Black mothers.

Received a Special Recognition Award from Brentwood Healthcare for outstanding service in healthcare.

Supports community health centers, such as the MLK, Jr. Family Clinic in Dallas.

Believes in protecting access to healthcare, including abortion, and supports policies that ensure comprehensive healthcare coverage for all individuals.

Supports Faith Formula Human Services of FWBC.

Opposes defunding public libraries that host drag queen reading hours.

Supports the use of government centers as community centers.

Supports education policies that benefit American businesses and align with workforce needs, as discussed at the American Chambers of Commerce, 44th Convention, 2019.

Supports removing Confederate statues and renaming military bases.

Received the President's Award from the Dallas chapter of the NAACP in 2019.

Received the Texas Urban Counties Legislator of the Year Award in 2019 for supporting education policies.

Received the Shalom Award from the Temple Shalom Brotherhood in 2020.

Serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee and is a member of Senate committees on Education, Finance and Transportation.

Served on the Board of the Florida Association of School Administrators.

Supports public education and higher education.

Supports addressing K-12 public education and higher education.

Believes education is the best avenue for personal upward mobility and societal economic growth.

Supports establishing a reparations study commission for Black Americans.

Supports studying reparations, as evidenced by supporting the passage of the Resolution Pertaining to Commission to Study US Reparations.

Supports the establishment of a Reparations Task Force to advocate for reparative justice legislation at the state level.

Believes gas prices are too high, with Texas prices above $3.00 per gallon, resulting in a minimum $40 fill-up for most cars.

Supports the passage of HR 40, the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act.

Believes in supporting Democratic candidates to ensure party values and policies are upheld in office.

Believes in addressing voting rights and election integrity, as well as preparing for future challenges such as the Omicron variant and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) issues.

Supports voting rights and fair elections.

Received the Justice Award from the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition in 2009.

Believes in transparency in campaign financing and voting rights.

Believes in maintaining local governance by housing the Justice of the Peace, Constable, and Truancy and Tax departments.

Believes in the importance of advocating for voting rights legislation, saying "Power concedes nothing without struggle."

Believes in improving voting rights and election integrity, and supports comprehensive election reform.

Opposes the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

Believes in strong leadership and community involvement, as evidenced by being named one of the “Ten Best Legislators in Texas” by Texas Monthly.

Believes in protecting voting rights and ensuring fair elections.

Royce West resides in DeSoto, Texas, with his wife Carol R. West. He attended the University of Texas at Arlington and the University of Houston.

Royce West is a Texas State Senator representing the 23rd Senatorial District. He is also the managing partner at the law firm West & Associates, L.L.P. He previously worked as an assistant district attorney in Dallas County and served as Chief Felony Prosecutor.

Royce West has served as a Texas State Senator since 1993, representing the 23rd Senatorial District. He is the Vice Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee and a member of the Senate committees on Education, Finance, and Transportation. West previously ran for the U.S. Senate.

- Your state senator represents the interests of your district in the Texas State Senate. The State Senate, along with the State House of Representatives, makes up your state lawmaking body: the Texas Legislature.
- Your state senator can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws after going through the legislative process.
- There are 31 Texas state senators, each representing a single district with a constituency of around 1 million.
- State senators are elected to 4-year terms and one 2-year term per decade, and there are no term limits.
- They are paid a salary of $7,200/year and a per diem of $221/day.