State Rep. Ryan Guillen

Born October 27, 1977, Rep. Guillen grew up working at his family’s feed store and farm in Rio Grande City. He briefly taught high school agriculture before pursuing public office. First elected in 2002 at age 24, he was one of the youngest members ever elected to the Texas House and has served in every regular session since taking office in January 2003. He also holds the rank of Major in the Texas State Guard.

Rep. Guillen was first elected as a Democrat and served nine consecutive terms in that party before announcing on November 15, 2021 that he was switching to the Republican Party, citing an increasing alignment between his values and the GOP on border security, energy, and public safety issues. He often voted with Republicans on key issues during his years as a Democrat, including on gun rights and pro-life measures, and was one of the few Democrats who did not travel to Washington, D.C. during the 2021 quorum-break over election legislation. In the 89th Legislature he and fellow South Texan Rep. Richard Peña Raymond were honored by House resolution as the longest-serving desk mates in the chamber’s history.

For the 89th Legislative Session, Speaker Dustin Burrows appointed Rep. Guillen as Chair of the House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock, as well as to the House Committees on Redistricting and State Affairs, plus the Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting.