Susan King running for Texas State Senate

As the run-off election approaches for Texas State Senate, Susan King’s campaign is in full preparation for her natural next-step progression from the House of Representatives to the Texas State Senate.

According to house.state.tx.us, Susan Lewis King is a fifth-term member of the Texas House of Representatives serving District 71, which is comprised of Taylor, Nolan and Jones Counties in West Central Texas. Representative King was appointed as the Chair of the House Defense and Veterans’ Affairs Committee and as a member of the House Human Services Committee. Previously, Rep. King served on the House Appropriations Committee and was assigned to the subcommittees of; Articles I, IV and V (General Government, Judiciary, Criminal Justice and Public Safety), Article II (Health & Human Services) and Appropriations Article III (General Education). She was also a member of the House Public Health Committee for four terms. In 2014, she chaired the Interim Select Committee on Health Care Education and Workforce Training. Additional committee assignments in previous sessions have included House Administration Committee and the Committee on Rules and Resolutions. She was a member of the Chronic Kidney Disease Task Force, former Vice Chair of the National Conference of State Legislature's Public Health Committee and former Vice Chair of the House Human Services Committee. Rep. King is from Houston and moved to West Texas in 1979. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing with Honors. Upon graduation she returned to Houston and worked with renowned cardiac surgeon Denton Cooley, MD. Rep. King worked as Co-Director of Surgery and Head of Education for the operating rooms at St. Luke’s Episcopal, Texas Children’s Hospital, and Texas Heart Institute. Currently, Rep. King is Co-Owner and Director of Nursing and staff nurse at Elm Place Ambulatory Surgical Center in Abilene. Rep. King served on the Abilene Independent School District (AISD) Board of Trustees from 1998 to 2006. She presided over the AISD School Board as President prior to her election to the Texas House. She has been selected as the recipient of many awards to include the 2015 Cristina Barrientos Award from the Texas Renal Coalition, the 2013 Lone Star Conservative Guardian Award from the Texas Conservative Roundtable, the 2013 Community Champion for Children, Child Advocacy Centers, the 2013 Texas Association of Business Fighter for Free Enterprise Award, the 2012 Texas Association Realtors Abilene Chapter-Outstanding Citizen Award, and the 2011 Texas Medical Association Friend of Medicine Award. She and her husband, Dr. Austin King, MD have three grown children and four grandchildren.

“I believe the Senate is very important with making the current laws better and the passages of new laws. I have not resigned my position in the House of Representatives; I want to continue my responsibility and commitment to the people. I believe we can have a better force between the House and the Senate to represent to the people. I believe representing the people was the original intent of the government; bringing the voice of the people to the Capitol. I believe it is important to discover the uniqueness of each community to make sure we are doing right by the people; that has always been the way I have operated rather it be on the school board or in the House of Representatives. I will continue to do the same for the Senate; public service is a wonderful opportunity and an honor,” said Rep. King.

“My teenage daughter once said to me ‘Why do I complain if I am not willing to step-up and make positives changes?’ That is how I initially got into public service. What I am most proud of during my presidency on the school board is what I did along the way. I felt it was extremely important that the president meet with the superintendent to make sure the voice of the people and students were in sync with the administration. AISD was the largest independent school district in the state when I was on the board. It did not have the opportunity for open-comment during school board meetings; in other words, communication with the public is what I initiated,” continued Rep. King. “Having my own business since 1984 has many coalitions to serving in the House and also in the Senate. I have learned that you do not spend money that you do not have. I developed into a better leader and established methods for getting people of all personalities to work together so all may benefit.”

Rep. King is leading the way for a stronger team approach between the House and the Senate, stronger representation for public and higher education, water controlling, and border security.

“I have the experience and the proven record for serving people, a deep dedication to being assessable to my constituents, and I believe the Senate and the House can work stronger together to develop the best policies for the citizens of District 24,” said Rep. King.

According to ballotpedia.org, the Texas Senate is the upper house in the Texas State Legislature. It consists of 31 members. According to the Texas Constitution, Texas senators serve four-year terms without term limits. One-half of the Senate membership is elected every two years in even-numbered years, with the exception that all 31 Senate seats are up for election for the first legislature following the decennial census in order to reflect the newly redrawn districts. After the initial election, the Senate is divided by lot into two classes, with one class having a re-election after two years and the other having a re-election after four years.

For more information on Susan King, please visit www.susankingcampaign.com.