Paul Bettencourt

First elected to the Texas Senate in 2014. Current term expires January 2029.  
 

Member of the Senate Education Committee. 

Former Harris County tax assessor-collector. 

Supported by one or more anti-public education organizations or individuals in the 2024 Texas primaries. Also endorsed in the 2024 Republican primary election by Gov. Greg Abbott (R), who is supporting many incumbent legislators in this election cycle based on their pro-voucher voting records.

Endorsed in the 2022 primary election by the Texas Home School Coalition, which supports using public funds for private and home-schools, giving private and home-schooled students greater access to public education services, and limiting state oversight of private and home schools. He also received the group's endorsement in the 2018 election. 

Endorsed in the 2018 primary election by Texans for Fiscal Responsibility (Empower Texans), a group that has supported budget cuts and limiting state spending on public education, reducing educators' rights and benefits, and funding private school vouchers. Bettencourt also received the group's endorsement in 2014. 

He was also endorsed by The Houston Chronicle editorial board for the 2014 Republican primary election.