Ernest Bailes

Texas politician

Ernest James Bailes IV

Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 18th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 10, 2017 (2017-01-10)
Preceded by	John Otto

Personal details
Born	(1982-04-13) April 13, 1982 (age 42) San Jacinto County, Texas, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Courtney Bailes
Children	2
Residence	Shepherd, Texas
Alma mater	Texas A&M University (BS)
Occupation	Businessman
Website	www.bailesfortexas.com

Ernest James Bailes IV (born April 13, 1982), is a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives for District 18 in southeastern Texas.^[1] Bailes in 2017 succeeded Republican John Otto, who did not seek re-election in 2016.^[2]

Background

Bailes, a rancher and agriculturist, grew up on his family's beef and dairy cattle operations in East Texas. Growing up in Shepherd, he is a graduate of Shepherd High School and earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University in 2004.^[3] Following his graduation, Bailes founded his own company called Repro Select, an "advanced reproductive services provider for cattle and white tail deer producers across the South-Central United States. Bailes is married to Courtney Bailes, a third grade teacher at Coldspring - Oakhurst CISD. The couple has two sons named Cinco and Rigby.^[4]

Current legislative committees

Bailes serves as a member of the following committees: Economic and Small Business Development, Land and Resource Management, Rules and Resolutions, Small Business Subcommittee, and Coastal Barrier Systems.^[3]

Legislative history

Bailes voted to prohibit one-punch straight ticket voting^[3] and voted to establish standards for determining adjusted franchise tax rates.^[5]

Additionally, Bailes voted against the Schaefer Amendment of Senate Bill 8, which would have required women to carry fetuses with fatal fetal abnormalities to term. The amendment was tabled.^[6] SB8 related to certain prohibited abortions and the treatment and disposition of embryonic and fetal tissue remains, creating a civil cause of action and imposing a civil penalty, creating criminal offense.^[7] The law was struck down by a court challenge before taking effect.^[8]

2018 reelection

Bailes won reelection to a second term in the general election held on November 6, 2018. With 35,538 votes (75.5 percent), he defeated Democrat Fred Lemond, who polled 11,514 votes (24.5 percent).^[9]

References

^ "Bailes enters race for State Rep District 18". Houston Chronicle. August 4, 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
^ McAdams, Jacob (November 9, 2016). "San Jacinto County election results". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Rep. Bailes, Ernest". Texas House of Representatives. Retrieved 2019-11-23.
^ "About Ernest". Ernest Bailes – Republican State Representative. Retrieved 2019-11-23.
^ "Proceedings: Fifty-Ninth Day — Friday, April 28, 2017" (PDF). Texas House Journal. Eighty-Fifth Legislature, Regular Session. Texas House of Representatives: 46. 2017-04-27. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2017.
^ Novack, Sophie (2017-05-19). "Abandoning 'Women's Health' Claims, Texas House Approves Wide-Ranging Anti-Abortion Bill". The Texas Observer. Retrieved 2019-11-23.
^ "Texas Rep. Ernest Bailes". TrackBill. Retrieved 2019-11-23.
^ Evans, Marissa (2018-09-05). "Judge strikes down Texas law requiring burial or cremation of fetal remains". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 2019-11-23.
^ "Election Returns". Texas Secretary of State. November 6, 2018. Archived from the original on November 8, 2018. Retrieved November 15, 2018.