Gary has the life experience to represent your values in Austin.

Gary, his wife Melissa and their children attend Grace Community Bible Church.

About Gary | Gates for Texas House

First Elected: 2020
Seniority: #83 of 150
Occupation: Real Estate/Property Management
Education: Ohio State University; University of Central Florida

State Rep. Gary Gates | Texas Policy Research

Gary Gates attended Ohio State University and the University of Central Florida. He and his wife, Melissa, attend Grace Community Bible Church with their children.

State Rep. Gary Gates - Texas Policy Research

Gary Gates’ father was a talented Air Force pilot. But as he prepared to transfer to the U.S. Space Shuttle program, his father was murdered leaving 18-year-old Gary to support the family. Gary started by driving trucks but soon found his talent was in buying, renovating and renting homes and apartments.

A Richmond-based real estate and property management businessman first elected in 2020, Rep. Gates represents portions of Fort Bend County in House District 28 and chairs the House Committee on Land & Resource Management, in addition to serving on the Energy Resources Committee.

First Elected: 2020
Seniority: #83 of 150
Occupation: Real Estate/Property Management
Education: Ohio State University; University of Central Florida

Gary Gates works in real estate and property management. He previously drove trucks and later bought, renovated, and rented homes and apartments.

Gary works in real estate and property management. He previously drove trucks and later bought, renovated, and rented homes and apartments.

Rep. Gary Gates is a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives, first elected in 2020 to represent District 28, which covers parts of Fort Bend County in the southwest Houston metropolitan area. A real estate and property management businessman, he attended Ohio State University and the University of Central Florida.

With all vote centers reporting Tuesday night, Gates defeated Markowitz by 16 percentage points, 58% to 42%, according to unofficial results. Gates, a businessman who unsuccessfully ran for office several times before, jumped out to a similar lead after early voting and maintained it throughout the night. He will finish the term of former state Rep. John Zerwas, R-Richmond, which expires in January 2021.

Republican Gary Gates Handily Beats Democrat Eliz Markowitz In Texas House District 28 Runoff

Gary currently serves as a Texas state representative for District 28. He was first elected in 2020. Before winning the seat, he had unsuccessfully run for office several times.

In Race To Replace Zerwas In Texas House, Democrat Eliz ...

2026 Texas General Election

Fighting skyrocketing property taxes are a priority to Gary. He knows high property taxes make it harder and harder for younger families to achieve the dream of owning their home. Gary support reforming the appraisal process that has been the main culprit in higher property taxes.

Issues | Gates for Texas House

Gary is also asking all Texas voters to join him and vote for the constitutional amendment banning a state income tax once and for all.

The protection of freedom of religion is never far from Gary’s mind. We cannot allow liberal governments deny business opportunities to Texans based on their religious affiliations, like what happened to Chick-Fil-A in San Antonio.

Supports reforming the property-appraisal process to reduce property taxes.

Calls for voters to approve a constitutional amendment banning a state income tax.

Calls for preventing governments from denying business opportunities on the basis of religious affiliation.

- Supports reforming the property-appraisal process to reduce property taxes.
- Calls for voters to approve a constitutional amendment banning a state income tax.
- Calls for preventing governments from denying business opportunities on the basis of religious affiliation.

Economy

Gary supports Governor Abbott’s plan to provide comprehensive security funding and emergency response training for school personnel with the goal of making Texas schools the safest in the nation.

Gary knows the importance of protecting our borders. He supports the effort to deploy 1,000 additional National Guard Troops to help secure the border, in addition to increasing penalties for drug and human trafficking operations.

Supports school-security funding and emergency-response training for school personnel.

Supports deploying 1,000 additional National Guard troops to the border and increasing penalties for drug trafficking and human trafficking.

- Supports school-security funding and emergency-response training for school personnel.
- Supports deploying 1,000 additional National Guard troops to the border and increasing penalties for drug trafficking and human trafficking.

Public Safety

Gary is 100% pro-life. In fact, Gary and his wife Melissa believe every life is precious, they have opened their home and adopted children that the system left behind. Gary will fight in the state house to protect each life.

Healthy women make healthy families, and healthy families make healthy communities. Gary will work to support prenatal care for expecting mothers and care for new mothers with newborns. Life is precious and Gary is committed to supporting it through all stages, beginning in the womb.

Plans to support prenatal care for expecting mothers and care for mothers with newborns.

Plans to support prenatal care for expecting mothers and care for new mothers with newborns.

- Plans to support prenatal care for expecting mothers and care for mothers with newborns.
- Plans to support prenatal care for expecting mothers and care for new mothers with newborns.

Healthcare

As a family man and an employer, Gary highly values education. Gary supports our public schools and gives parents a choice to determine the best education opportunity for their kids. Education is not a one size fits all system, which is why Gary is a big supporter of Career and Technical Training.

As a family man and an employer, Gary highly values education. Gary supports our public schools and gives parents a choice to determine the best education opportunity for their kids. Education is not a one size fits all system, which is why Gary is a big supporter of Career and Technical Training. Gary authored legislation that would allow interested high school students to gain the skills and credentials they need to enter professions like plumbing, welding, construction, and electrical work upon graduation.

Supports public schools, parental choice in education, and career and technical training.

Authored legislation allowing interested high school students to gain credentials for skilled trades upon graduation.

- Supports public schools, parental choice in education, and career and technical training.
- Authored legislation allowing interested high school students to gain credentials for skilled trades upon graduation.

Education

Gary wants all Texans prepared for natural disasters. He wants to make sure the state is equipped and can more quickly respond to and recover from natural disasters.

Wants the state better equipped to respond to and recover from natural disasters.

- Wants the state better equipped to respond to and recover from natural disasters.

Energy & the Environment

As of July 22, 2026, Gary Gates’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Voting & Elections

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Gary Gates

Gary is the owner and operator of a Richmond-based property management company. He runs a firm that buys, renovates, and rents homes and apartments, growing it from a single house to a team of about 500 employees. He previously worked as a truck driver.

Texas Lawmakers Demand Affordable Housing Rule Change, Citing ...

Gary Gates is currently a member of the Texas House of Representatives representing District 28. He was first elected in 2020 and is serving his first term. He is chair of the House Committee on Land & Resource Management.

Supports reforming the property tax appraisal process to make home ownership more attainable for younger families.

Supports deploying 1,000 additional National Guard troops to secure the border and increasing penalties for drug and human trafficking.

Supports Governor Abbott’s plan to enhance security funding and emergency response training for school personnel to ensure Texas schools are the safest in the nation.

Supports prenatal care for expecting mothers and postpartum care for new mothers.

Supports career and technical training for high school students to gain skills in trades like plumbing and welding.

Supports Governor Abbott’s plan to provide comprehensive security funding and emergency response training for school personnel.

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- Your state representative represents the interests of your local district in the Texas House of Representatives. The State House of Representatives, along with the State Senate, makes up your state lawmaking body: the Texas State Legislature
- Your state representative can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws. 
- There are 150 members of the Texas House of Representatives, each representing a single district. Representatives must be at least 21 years old and reside in the state for at least two years before their election. 
- State representatives are elected to two-year terms during even-numbered years. There are no term limits. 
- State representatives make $7,200 annually in addition to a $221 payment per day during legislative sessions and mileage reimbursements.

Your representative and state lawmaker in the Texas House of Representatives.