## Biography
Richard Peña Raymond was born in Alice, Texas and raised in Benavides, Texas (population 1,900) graduating from the high school there.
He got involved in politics as a very young man fighting political corruption in his home county of Duval.

Texas House of Representatives (https://house.texas.gov/members/4215/biography)

Representative Raymond received a B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in Government and minoring in History. He later received a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law.

Representative Raymond received a B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in Government and minoring in History. He later received a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law.
Before being elected to the Texas Legislature, he worked for United States Senators Lloyd Bentsen from Texas and Paul Simon from Illinois.

He is a proud father and lifelong, die-hard Dallas Cowboys and Texas Longhorns fan!

Richard Peña Raymond was born in Alice, Texas, and raised in Benavides, Texas. He earned a bachelor's degree in government, with a minor in history, from the University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. He is a father.

He later received a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law.
Before being elected to the Texas Legislature, he worked for United States Senators Lloyd Bentsen from Texas and Paul Simon from Illinois. He also worked for Texas Land Commissioner Garry Mauro and Texas Railroad Commissioner Bob Krueger.

Before being elected to the Texas Legislature, he worked for United States Senators Lloyd Bentsen from Texas and Paul Simon from Illinois. He also worked for Texas Land Commissioner Garry Mauro and Texas Railroad Commissioner Bob Krueger.

In 1992, Mr. Raymond first ran for and was elected to the Texas House of Representatives, where he would represent a rural South Texas District that included the counties of Duval, Jim Wells, Live Oak, Wilson, Atascosa, McMullen and La Salle.

Richard previously worked for U.S. Senators Lloyd Bentsen and Paul Simon, Texas Land Commissioner Garry Mauro, and Texas Railroad Commissioner Bob Krueger.

Two years later, in January 2001, Mr. Raymond was once again elected to the Texas House of Representatives, this time by the voters of Laredo, Texas, and has served in the House since.
He now serves as Chairman of the Defense & Veterans' Affairs Committee while also serving on the State Affairs Committee.

After serving in the Texas House for 6 years, he then ran for Texas Land Commissioner. Although he received nearly 1.5 million votes as the Democratic Party nominee, he lost to Republican David Dewhurst.

In 1992, Mr. Raymond first ran for and was elected to the Texas House of Representatives, where he would represent a rural South Texas District that included the counties of Duval, Jim Wells, Live Oak, Wilson, Atascosa, McMullen and La Salle.

Richard currently serves in the Texas House of Representatives. He was reelected in January 2001 by voters in Laredo and has served in the House since. He previously ran for Texas land commissioner but lost after first being elected to the Texas House in 1992 and serving there for six years.

Richard currently serves in the Texas House of Representatives. He was reelected in January 1992 by voters in Laredo and has served in the House since. He previously ran for Texas land commissioner but lost.

2026 Texas General Election

October 23, 2022 candidate Q&A, question: “What is your platform, and what issues are most important to you?” Raymond answered: “Lowering taxes, fully funding our law enforcement agencies to keep Laredo safe, fully funding our transportation infrastructure and education system, so that we can continue to create more good paying jobs in trade, oil and gas development and other areas of economic development. Investing in our health care system, in order to deliver the services Laredoans need. Also, a common sense safe environment, where we protect people's health without killing our economy.”

Texas House District 42: Richard Pena Raymond Q&A

Supports fully funding transportation infrastructure to help create good-paying jobs in trade, oil and gas development, and other economic sectors.

- Supports lowering taxes.
- Supports fully funding transportation infrastructure to help create good-paying jobs in trade, oil and gas development, and other economic sectors.

Economy

October 23, 2022 candidate Q&A, question: “An attempt at building a border wall has been an ongoing project for many Texas leaders for years. What are your thoughts on a potential border wall and the overall current state of the border?” Raymond answered: “My entire career as a Legislator, I have voted for border security funding. I believe law enforcement officers can more effectively protect our border than a wall -- which would simply lead to more tunnels and taller ladders.”

Supports fully funding law enforcement agencies to keep Laredo safe.

Said he has voted for border-security funding throughout his legislative career.

Believes law enforcement officers can protect the border more effectively than a border wall.

- Supports fully funding law enforcement agencies to keep Laredo safe.
- Said he has voted for border-security funding throughout his legislative career.
- Believes law enforcement officers can protect the border more effectively than a border wall.

Public Safety

October 23, 2022 candidate Q&A, question: “Do you believe in a woman’s right to an abortion? Would you support legislation that would close more abortion clinics in Texas.” Raymond answered: “I am a pro-life Democrat, who supports the rights afforded to women under Roe v. Wade, which places limits on abortion. I also believe women and girls should not be forced to have a baby, if they are raped, victims of incest or if their life is as risk.”

October 23, 2022 candidate Q&A, question: “Webb County is a medically underserved area, a fact that has been drawn in stark relief during the pandemic. What should the Texas Legislature do to build up badly needed medical resources in the area?” Raymond answered: “We should continue to invest in nursing programs for Laredo, as well as attracting more doctors by offering additional medical scholarship at the state level. The loans can be repaid by serving in areas, like Laredo, which are underserved.”

Supports investing in health care services for Laredo residents.

Said he is a pro-life Democrat who supports abortion rights within Roe v. Wade's limits, including exceptions for rape, incest, and life-threatening pregnancies.

Supports investing in Laredo nursing programs and state medical scholarships tied to service in underserved areas.

- Supports investing in health care services for Laredo residents.
- Said he is a pro-life Democrat who supports abortion rights within Roe v. Wade's limits, including exceptions for rape, incest, and life-threatening pregnancies.
- Supports investing in Laredo nursing programs and state medical scholarships tied to service in underserved areas.

Healthcare

Supports fully funding the education system to help create good-paying jobs.

- Supports fully funding the education system to help create good-paying jobs.

Education

Prioritizes environmental protections that safeguard people's health without harming the economy.

- Prioritizes environmental protections that safeguard people's health without harming the economy.

Energy & the Environment

As of July 22, 2026, Richard Pena Raymond did not have a website or any information online.

Voting & Elections

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
  <head>
    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
    <meta charset="utf-8">
    <title>Application Error</title>
    <style media="screen">
      html,body,iframe {
        margin: 0;
        padding: 0;
      }

      html,body {
        height: 100%;
        overflow: hidden;
      }

      iframe {
        width: 100%;
        height: 100%;
        border: 0;
      }
    </style>
  </head>
  <body>
    <iframe src="https://www.herokucdn.com/error-pages/application-error.html"></iframe>
  </body>
</html>

Facebook

Richard Pena Raymond

As of July 22, 2026, Richard Peña Raymond did not have a website or any information online.

Richard Peña Raymond

As of July 22, 2026, Richard Pena Raymond’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Twitter

Instagram

YouTube

TikTok

LinkedIn

Bluesky

Supports tracking legislative and litigation developments related to voting and election law, collaborating with legal counsel, and identifying election administration and voting problems through collaboration with various stakeholders to develop coordinated responses.

Supports addressing voting and election law issues through legal collaboration and problem identification with various stakeholders.

Supports monitoring and addressing changes in voting and election laws.

Buket Urgen

Alejandra Gracias

Teresa Johnson-Hernandez

- 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.