Meet the Tarrant County legislative delegation

In the House
Six Republicans, four Democrats

Rep. Todd Smith R-Euless

Age: 45

District 92: Hurst, Euless, Bedford and parts of Arlington, Grand Prairie and Fort Worth. Elected in 1996; entering seventh two-year term.

Occupation: Attorney

Did you know? Named a "Texas Super Lawyer" by Texas Monthly in 2006 and 2007.

Along with Democrat Lon Burnam, Smith is the senior member of Tarrant County’s House delegation and served as its chairman during the 2007 Legislature. One of the delegation’s two Republicans who supported Joe Straus for speaker while incumbent Tom Craddick was still in the race. A past critic of Craddick’s leadership, the former Euless councilman looks toward a more-open, less-partisan House under the new speaker and is expected to broaden his influence.

Ranks education and transportation as his top interests. Opposes toll roads. Will fight to reduce insurance and tax subsidies that his North Texas constituents pay for storm damage on the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast. Has already introduced several bills, including one giving cities the option to post sobriety checkpoints.

Rep. Lon Burnam D-Fort Worth

Age: 55

District 90: Central Fort Worth. Elected in 1996; entering seventh term.

Occupation: Executive director of the Dallas Peace Center

Did you know? Has lived in a 1913 wood-frame bungalow for nearly 30 years.

This could be the year that Burnam comes out of the doghouse. One of the most liberal members of the House, Burnam opposed Craddick from the outset, casting the lone vote of dissent when Craddick became speaker in 2003. Consequently, he often had to get others to carry many of his initiatives. Now, as an enthusiastic Straus supporter, Burnam could become more of a mainstream player as he pushes an ambitious agenda that includes improving healthcare for children and cleaning up the environment. He is an outspoken champion of working people and is one of the House’s leading advocates for alternative energy, conservation and public transportation.

Rep. Vicki Truitt R-Keller

Age: 54

District 98: Grapevine, Colleyville, Keller and parts of Southlake, Westlake, Haslet, Trophy Club and far north Fort Worth. Elected in 1998; entering sixth term.

Occupation: Owner of a healthcare consulting company.

Did you know? A former national champion barrel racer and rodeo queen.

Truitt waged what she said was probably the shortest speaker’s race in House history when she emerged as a brief alternative candidate after Craddick ended his re-election bid. But she says she is eager to work with Straus. "He’s the man," she says. "I told him he can count on me to do what’s right for the people of Texas."

Truitt, nicknamed "Bulldog" during her first term, is expected to resume her advocacy for improvements in state healthcare and the property tax appraisal system. Among other things, she wants a "more user-friendly" system that gives a greater voice to property owners who want to contest their appraisals. She also wants to crack down on copper theft.

Rep. Charlie Geren R-Fort Worth

Age: 59

District 99: Northwest Tarrant County, including north and west Fort Worth, River Oaks, Azle, White Settlement, Lake Worth and Saginaw. Elected in 2000; entering fifth term.

Occupation: Restaurant owner and rancher

Did you know? Was a leader in developing Eagle Mountain Lake Park, fighting to keep the state from selling the 400 acres to developers.

Lawmakers, lobbyists and legislative aides expect Geren to be a major player because of his role in Straus’ march to the speakership; Geren was one of 11 ABC Republicans — "Anybody But Craddick" — who backed Straus as a consensus candidate in the speaker’s race.

The buzz is that Geren is in line for chairmanship of the powerful calendars committee, the clearinghouse for legislation to get to the floor. Energetic and respected by key members in both parties, Geren cites transportation as a top priority. He also wants to repair the state’s school finance system and continue efforts to address a critical water shortage facing North Texas.