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	February 19, 1948 Pasadena, California
Died	December 19, 2015 (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). Retrieved 2007-01-03.
9. "2002 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). 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). Retrieved 2007-01-03.
12. "1996 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2007-01-03.
13. "1996 Republican Party Primary Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2007-01-03.
14. "1994 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2007-01-03.
15. "1992 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2007-01-03.

External links

• Project Vote Smart - Senator Chris Harris (TX) profile
• Follow the Money - Chris Harris
  • 2006 2004 2002 2000 campaign contributions