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Al Edwards
Al Edwards (March 19, 1937–April 29, 2020) was a Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives, representing District 146 from 1979-2007 and 2009-2011.
Edwards ran as a 2012 Democratic candidate for District 146 of the Texas House of Representatives and lost in the Democratic primary election.
Edwards died on April 29, 2020.[1]
Biography
As a legislator, Edwards was known for authoring a bill creating a state holiday to recognize the date of June 19, 1865, also known as Juneteenth, which was the day that slaves found out they were freed under the Emancipation Proclamation. In between his sessions in the Texas House of Representatives, Edwards worked on the presidential campaigns of Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. in 1984 and 1988.[2] Outside of politics, Edwards' professional experience included working in advertising, public relations, and real estate, and as an ordained minister. He received a bachelor's degree from Texas Southern University and was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.[3][2]
Committee assignments
- Appropriations Committee, Texas House
- Appropriations-S/C on Criminal Justice
- Defense & Veterans' Affairs Committee, Texas House
- Rules & Resolutions Committee, Texas House
Sponsored legislation
- HB 1025 - Relating to preparation of public school students to enter the workforce.
- HB 1026 - Relating to establishing legislative district volunteer emergency response teams.
- HB 1027 - Relating to the authority of a peace officer to stop, detain, or arrest a person for a violation of certain traffic offenses.
- HB 1666 - Relating to the tax imposed on certain tobacco products.[4]
Elections
2012
Edwards ran in the 2012 election for Texas House of Representatives, District 146. Edwards was defeated by Borris Miles in the May 29 primary election.[5][6]
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
 Borris Miles Incumbent |
57.6% | 4,484 |
| Al Edwards | 42.4% | 3,305 |
| Total Votes | 7,789 | |
2010
Challenger Borris Miles defeated Edwards' bid for re-election in the March 2 Democratic primary, 5,048 to 5,040 votes, and faced no opposition in the November 2 general election.
2008
On November 4, 2008, Edwards won election to the Texas House of Representatives from the 146th District. He received 41,669 votes in the election with no opposition.[7] Edwards raised $187,621 for his campaign.[8]
| Texas House of Representatives, District 146 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Al Edwards (D)
|
41,669 | 100.00% | ||
Campaign finance summary
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External links
- Search Google News for this topic
- Texas House of Representatives - Rep. Edwards (dead link)
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Legislative profile from Project Vote Smart
- Campaign Contributions: 2008, 2006, 2004, 2002, 2000, 1998
- Texas State Directory profile
- Texas Tribune profile & bio
- Texas Political Almanac HD 146 page
- Vote-TX.org profile
- State Surge profile
- Re-Elect State Representative Al Edwards Facebook group
Footnotes
- ↑ Texas Democrats, "RELEASE: Texas Democrats Mourn the Passing of Al Edwards," April 29, 2020
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Houston Chronicle, "Al Edwards, former state rep whose bill created Juneteenth holiday, dies at 83," April 29, 2020
- ↑ Project Vote Smart - Rep. Edwards
- ↑ Texas Legislature - Bills Authored/Joint Authored by Rep. Edwards
- ↑ Texas Democratic Party - Democratic Primary Candidates (dead link)
- ↑ Office of the (Texas) Secretary of State, "Race Summary Report," accessed July 12, 2012
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "1992 - Current Election History," accessed February 24, 2014
- ↑ District 146 Texas House candidate funds, 2008
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by ' |
Texas House District 146 2009–2011 |
Succeeded by Borris Miles (D) |
