Chris Harris (Texas politician)

Chris Harris
Member of the Texas Senate
from the 9th district
In office
2005–2013
Preceded by Jane Nelson
Succeeded by Kelly Hancock
Member of the Texas Senate
from the 10th district
In office
1991–2005
Preceded by Bob McFarland
Succeeded by Kim Brimer
Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from the 93rd district
In office
1985–1991
Preceded by Roy E. English
Succeeded by Toby R. Goodman
Personal details
Born (1948-02-19)February 19, 1948
Pasadena, California
Died December 19, 2015(2015-12-19) (aged 67)
Fort Worth, Texas
Nationality American
Political party Republican
Residence Arlington, Texas
Occupation Attorney

Chris Harris (February 19, 1948 – December 19, 2015) was an American politician and lawyer.

Biography

Chris Harris was born on February 22, 1948 in Pasadena, California.[1] He graduated from Arlington High School, in Arlington, Texas. Harris attended Texas Christian University, and received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from Baylor Law School. Harris practiced family and business law. He and his wife, Tammy, lived in Arlington, Texas.[2] He died at a hospital in Fort Worth on December 19, 2015 at the age of 67.[3][4]

Political career

Harris served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1985 to 1991 and then served in the Texas State Senate from 1991 to 2013. Harris was a Republican.[5]

Controversy

Harris received international attention as a result of a session in the Texas Senate where he confronted a man (who had been in the US since 1988) giving testimony in his native Spanish, interrupting his testimony and demanding, "Why aren't you speaking in English?" Continuing, Harris added, "it's insulting to us", then later, "It is very insulting. If he knows English, he needs to be speaking in English."[6]

Election history

Election history of Harris from 1992.[7]

Most recent election

2004

Texas general election, 2004: Senate District 9[8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Chris Harris (Incumbent) 143,501 100.00 +13.44
Majority 143,501 100.00 +26.87
Turnout 143,501 +51.50
Republican hold

Previous elections

2002

Texas general election, 2002: Senate District 9[9]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Chris Harris (Incumbent)[10] 81,994 86.56 -13.44
Libertarian David C. Pepperdine 12,727 13.44 +13.44
Majority 69,267 73.13 -26.87
Turnout 94,721 -54.26
Republican hold

2000

Texas general election, 2000: Senate District 10[11]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Chris Harris (Incumbent) 187,302 100.00 0.00
Majority 187,302 100.00 0.00
Turnout 187,302 +25.85
Republican hold

1996

Texas general election, 1996: Senate District 10[12]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Chris Harris (Incumbent) 154,989 100.00 0.00
Majority 154,989 100.00 0.00
Turnout 154,989 +19.83
Republican hold
Republican primary, 1996: Senate District 10[13]
Candidate Votes % ±
✓ Chris Harris (Incumbent) 30,330 77.80
Jim Lollar 8,656 22.20
Majority 21,674 55.59
Turnout 38,986

1994

Texas general election, 1994: Senate District 10[14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Chris Harris (Incumbent) 129,343 100.00 +38.64
Majority 129,343 100.00 +77.27
Turnout 129,343 -40.30
Republican hold

1992

Texas general election, 1992: Senate District 10[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Democratic Bob Bass 83,711 38.64
Republican Chris Harris (Incumbent) 132,947 61.36
Majority 49,236 22.73
Turnout 216,658
Republican hold

References

  1. ↑ Office of the Secretary of State (Texas) (2002-09-13). "State Senate Candidates for 2002 General Election". Retrieved 2006-12-26.
  2. ↑ "Chris Harris' Biography - The Voter's Self Defense System - Vote Smart". Project Vote Smart.
  3. ↑ "Former state Sen. Chris Harris dies at 67". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. 2015-12-19. Archived from the original on 2015-12-20. Retrieved 2015-12-19.
  4. ↑ "Former Texas Sen. Chris Harris dead at 67". Dallas Morning News. Associated Press. 2015-12-21. Archived from the original on 2015-12-29.
  5. ↑ "Texas Legislators: Past & Present - Mobile".
  6. ↑ "'Speak English', Texas senator tells Mexican during heated immigration debate". Daily Mail. London. 2011-06-17.
  7. ↑ Uncontested primary elections are not shown.
  8. ↑ "2004 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved 2007-01-03.
  9. ↑ "2002 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved 2007-01-03.
  10. ↑ Harris was the District 10 incumbent prior to the 2002 Senate district redistricting.
  11. ↑ "2000 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved 2007-01-03.
  12. ↑ "1996 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved 2007-01-03.
  13. ↑ "1996 Republican Party Primary Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved 2007-01-03.
  14. ↑ "1994 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved 2007-01-03.
  15. ↑ "1992 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved 2007-01-03.
Texas House of Representatives
Preceded by
Roy E. English 		Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from District 93 (Arlington)(1)
1985–1991 		Succeeded by
Toby R. Goodman
Texas Senate
Preceded by
Bob McFarland		 Texas State Senator
from District 10 (Arlington)
1991–2005 		Succeeded by
Kim Brimer
Preceded by
Jane Nelson		 Texas State Senator
from District 9 (Arlington)
2005-2013 		Succeeded by
Kelly Hancock
Notes and references
1. For the 69th and 70th Legislatures, Harris’ home city was Mansfield
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