George Lavender
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George Lavender (Republican Party) was a member of the Texas House of Representatives, representing District 1. He assumed office in 2011. He left office in 2015.
Lavender (Republican Party) ran for election to the Texas House of Representatives to represent District 1. He lost in the Republican primary on March 1, 2022.
Biography
Lavender attended Arkansas High School earned a BSBA in Management from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. Lavender has been a small businessman for 30 years. He is a partner with Ellco Distributing and works in commercial real estate. Lavender is a member and a former deacon of the First Baptist Church on Moore's Lane in Texarkana, Texas. Lavender has also been a Volunteer Youth Coach for 20 years, working with PGYA, the Boys & Girls Club, Dixie League, and USSA. He served as a Board member of the Boys & Girls Club and was a delegate at the Republican State Convention. He is a long-time supporter of the First Choice Pregnancy Center and Watersprings Ranch.[1]
Committee assignments
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Lavender served on the following committees:
| Texas committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Homeland Security & Public Safety |
| • Transportation |
2011-2012
Lavender served on the following Texas House of Representatives committees:
| Texas committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Land & Resource Management |
| • Transportation |
Elections
2022
See also: Texas House of Representatives elections, 2022
General election
The general election was canceled. Incumbent Gary VanDeaver won election in the general election for Texas House of Representatives District 1.
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 1
Incumbent Gary VanDeaver defeated George Lavender and Ray Null in the Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 1 on March 1, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Gary VanDeaver | 62.9 | 13,279 |
 | George Lavender | 29.0 | 6,115 | |
 | Ray Null | 8.2 | 1,723 | |
| Total votes: 21,117 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Campaign finance
2016
Elections for the Texas House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on March 1, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was December 14, 2015.[2]
Incumbent Gary VanDeaver ran unopposed in the Texas House of Representatives District 1 general election.[3]
| Texas House of Representatives, District 1 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Gary VanDeaver Incumbent (unopposed) |
100.00% | 49,840 | |
| Total Votes | 49,840 | |||
| Source: Texas Secretary of State | ||||
Incumbent Gary VanDeaver defeated George Lavender in the Texas House of Representatives District 1 Republican Primary.[4][5]
| Texas House of Representatives, District 1 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Gary VanDeaver Incumbent |
61.93% | 18,291 | |
| Republican | George Lavender | 38.07% | 11,246 | |
| Total Votes | 29,537 | |||
Primary
- Main article: Notable Texas primaries, 2016
VanDeaver received the endorsement of the Texas Parent PAC.[6]
Lavender received the endorsements of the following professional groups:[7]
- Texans for Lawsuit Reform
- Texas Apartment Association
- Texas Association of Business
- Texas Association of Realtors
- Texas Farm Bureau AgFund
VanDeaver and Lavender argued over who was the most conservative on the issues. Lavender criticized VanDeaver's record as less conservative than his. "His [VanDeaver's] record is a tough record to get past and he has certainly made some good votes, but he’s made several really bad votes," said Lavender. VanDeaver touted his record on the issues. "I feel really good about my voting record, I feel really good about the way I've represented the district," VanDeaver said.[8]
2014
Elections for all 150 seats in the Texas House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on March 4, 2014. Those candidates who did not receive 50 percent or more of the vote in their party primary on March 4 faced an additional May 27 primary runoff. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in these elections was December 9, 2013. Gary VanDeaver defeated incumbent George Lavender in the Republican primary and was unchallenged in the general election.[9][10][11]
2012
Lavender won re-election in the 2012 election for Texas House of Representatives, District 1. Lavender ran unopposed in the May 29 primary election and defeated Tim Eason (L) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[12]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | George Lavender Incumbent |
82.6% | 42,080 | |
| Libertarian | Tim Eason | 17.4% | 8,839 | |
| Total Votes | 50,919 | |||
2010
Lavender won election to the 1st District seat in 2010, defeating incumbent Stephen Frost and Independent candidate Trent Gale.[12]
Lavender defeated Jack Ballard in the March 2nd Republican primary. He received 4,133 votes, where Ballard received 3,822 votes.
The general election took place on November 6, 2012.
| Texas House of Representatives, District 1 2010 General election results | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| George Lavender (R)
|
18,575 | 51.51% | ||
| Stephen Frost (D) | 14,717 | 40.81% | ||
| Trent Gale (I) | 2,766 | 7.67% | ||
2008
On November 4, 2008, Lavender was defeated in the race for the Texas House of Representatives 1st District seat by Stephen Frost.
Frost received 29,598 votes in the election while Lavender received 24,853 votes, and Libertarian candidate Tim Eason received 781 votes.[12] Frost raised $200,917 for his campaign; Lavender raised $41,622.[13]
| Texas House of Representatives, District 1 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Stephen Frost (D)
|
29,598 | 53.58% | ||
| George Lavender (R) | 24,853 | 44.99% | ||
| Tim Eason (L) | 781 | 1.41% | ||
Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
George Lavender did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2016
Lavender's campaign website highlighted the following issues:
| “ |
Immigration and Border Security: George Lavender understands the importance of securing our border and providing to law enforcement the resources they need to keep our communities safe, especially in the face of escalating terror attacks both home and abroad. As a former member of the Texas Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee, George voted to devote more resources to securing the Texas Border and to give additional funds to law enforcement agencies, including the Texas Department of Public Safety, across the state. Education: George Lavender knows that public schools work best when decisions are made at the local level by parents, teachers and students. He has also been a strong advocate for eliminating high-stakes testing. Budget and the Economy: As a small businessman, George knows how to balance a budget, even in the face of budget shortfalls. In 2011, when the state of Texas faced one of its largest revenue shortfalls in recent decades, George held the line on new taxes. He has a consistent record of voting to reduce costly regulations on businesses and curbing the growth of government. Family Values: George is a pro-life, pro-traditional family Republican who supports the right of churches to operate and worship without overreaching governmental regulation. George consistently voted to protect the right of students to pray and say the pledge of allegiance in school. 2nd Amendment: George Lavender is a fierce advocate of protecting and expanding our 2nd amendment rights. He was a leading advocate in the passage of a bill that gave CHL holders the option to carry openly or concealed. He also helped pass a variety of other 2nd amendment bills including waiving/reducing the CHL renewal fees for current and honorably discharged veterans and senior citizens.[14] |
” |
| —George Lavender[15] | ||
2010
Lavender's website highlighted the following campaign themes:
- Voter ID
- Excerpt: "Voter ID legislation is a commonsense reform that is necessary to ensure the integrity and fairness of our elections. Unlike my opponent who has repeatedly opposed Voter ID legislation, I will work with other conservative leaders to pass such measures if elected State Representative."
- Border Security/Immigration
- Excerpt: "Texas is on the front line of the illegal immigration issue. Washington has failed us and now more than ever people are looking to state governments to address the problem. I will work with federal, state and local governments to secure our borders and enforce immigration policies that respect those who follow the legal processes of joining our national citizenry rather than reward those who do not."
- Eminent Domain
- Excerpt: "Protecting private property rights is fundamental to preserving our way of life in East Texas. Eminent domain authority should be defined and exercised by the government in a limited manner and affected landowners should be fairly compensated for their land. I will oppose any efforts to expand governmental eminent domain authority."
- Small Business Issues/Taxation & Regulation
- Excerpt: "As a small businessman for over 30 years, I know firsthand the struggles of making payroll, paying taxes and trying to keep up with the never ending demands of government regulations. I will work to reduce and simplify state regulation processes and requirements for small businesses and support state economic policies that promote free enterprise and job growth."
- 2nd Amendment
- Excerpt:"The 2nd Amendment to our U.S. Constitution affords us the undeniable right to keep and bear arms. Unfortunately, this right continues to come under attack. I will oppose any efforts to limit our 2nd Amendment rights if elected State Representative."
Lavender's 2010 campaign site listed his positions across a number of issues: "George Lavender has a consistent record of supporting candidates and causes that advocate for responsible fiscal policies which limit the growth of state government, promote free enterprise and stimulate businesses to create jobs in this tough economic environment. George is proudly pro-life, pro-second amendment and a strong supporter of private property rights, the 10th amendment and the belief that our Constitution should be interpreted as written by our Founders."
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Texas scorecards, email suggestions to [email protected].
2014
In 2014, the Texas State Legislature did not hold a regular session.
2013
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2013, the Texas State Legislature was in its 83rd legislative session from January 8 through May 27. Thirty minutes after the regular session ended, Governor Rick Perry called legislators back for a special session starting that evening.[16] Two additional called sessions were held from July 1 through July 30 and July 30 through August 5.[17]
|
2012
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2012, the Texas State Legislature did not hold a regular session. |
2011
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2011, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2011, the Texas State Legislature was in its 82nd legislative session from January 11 through May 30. A special session was called for May 31 through June 29.[17]
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Mark Jones Partisan Index
2011
Mark P. Jones is the Chair of the Department of Political Science at Rice University. He builds a ranking of Texas state representatives each year based on their votes from the previous session. Jones then ranks legislators based on how liberal and conservative they are according to legislative history.[18]
Gun rights advocate groups
Lavender has an "A" rating from both the Texas State Rifle Association (TSTA) and the National Rifle Association (NRA).[1]
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Lavender and his wife, Jan Timberlake Lavender, have three children, Allison Scherer, Rachel Presley and Jacob.[1]
See also
2022 Elections
External links
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Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Texas House of Representatives, "Texas House Member," accessed May 24, 2014
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "Important 2016 Election Dates," accessed December 14, 2015
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "2016 General Election," accessed December 2, 2016
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "2016 March Primary Election Candidate Filings by County," accessed August 22, 2016
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "1992 - Current Election History results," accessed August 22, 2016
- ↑ Texas Tribune, "Endorsements for Gary VanDeaver for Texas House (1) - Republican Primary," accessed February 23, 2016
- ↑ Texas Tribune, "Endorsements for George Lavender for Texas House (1) - Republican Primary," accessed February 23, 2016
- ↑ Texas Tribune, "VanDeaver, Lavender Face Off Again in NE Texas House Race," February 17, 2016
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "1992 - Current ELECTION HISTORY," accessed December 2, 2014
- ↑ The Libertarian Party of Texas, "2014 Texas Representative Candidate List," accessed July 30, 2014
- ↑ Green Party of Texas, "Greens Release Candidate List," accessed July 30, 2014
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Texas Secretary of State, "1992 - Current Election History," accessed February 17, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "2008 Candidate funds," accessed May 24, 2014
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ George Lavender for State Representative, "Issues," accessed February 22, 2016
- ↑ kten.com, "Texas Lawmakers To Tackle Redistricting In Special Session," May 29, 2013
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Legislative reference Library of Texas, "Texas Legislative Sessions and Years," accessed June 13, 2014
- ↑ Texas Tribune, "How Partisan are Texas House Members?" July 8, 2011
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Stephen Frost (R) |
Texas House of Representatives District 1 2011-2015 |
Succeeded by Gary VanDeaver (R) |
