Michelle Beckley

Michelle Beckley is a Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 65. She was first elected in November 2018, defeating incumbent Republican Ron Simmons. Texas' 65th district includes the major parts of Carrollton, Lewisville and nearby areas of Denton County.

Michelle Beckley
Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from the 65th district
Assumed office
January 8, 2019
Preceded byRon Simmons
Personal details
Born (1969-11-28) November 28, 1969[1]
NationalityAmerican
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Martin Mikes[2]
ResidenceCarrollton, Texas
Alma materTexas A&M University

Personal life

Education and career

Beckley attended public school in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District. After graduating from Newman Smith High School, she attended Texas A&M University, receiving a degree in biomedical sciences in 1992.

Beckley worked in sales immediately following college, but returned to Carrollton to manage the family business, Kookaburra Bird Shop.[3] In 2003, she purchased the shop and continues to manage it.

Family

Beckley lives in Carrollton with her husband, Martin Mikes.[2]

Texas Legislature

Beckley decided to run for office after attending the Dallas 2017 Women's March.[4]

Beckley defeated Ron Simmons, the author of HB 2899, the so-called "Bathroom Bill,"[5] a bill that some business leaders in Texas said was unnecessary and divisive. Beckley won 51.1% to 48.9%,[6] despite being outspent nearly six to one. Beckley was endorsed by the AFL-CIO, the Sierra Club, and Planned Parenthood.

Beckley defeated Kronda Thimesch in the 2020 general election. Beckley won 51.5% to 48.5%.[7]

Beckley authored[8] and co-authored[9] numerous bills in the 86th legislative session involving LGBTQ equality, public health, and women's reproductive health.

"House Bill 978 sought to amend the Texas Family Code to use gender-neutral language when discussing marriage — changing references to “man and woman” or “husband and wife” to “two individuals” or “spouses.” The bill would also amend the Health and Safety Code to remove provisions regarding the criminality or unacceptability of “homosexual conduct.” Beckley’s bill died in the House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence. Its companion, Senate Bill 153 by José Rodríguez, D-El Paso, did not receive a committee hearing. Both bills received heavy pushback from religious advocacy groups who say the legislation amounts to an attack on religious freedom.[10]

A vaccine-related amendment,[11] introduced by Beckley, was approved in March as part of the state budget.[12] It requires state health officials to assess the immunization rates at child care centers, which it has not done for several years."

Beckley was outspoken about HB 16,[13] the so-called Born Alive bill. "I refuse to make a mockery out of women's health and so I joined 50 of my colleagues to register as 'Present Not Voting.' Today's vote was about Republican scorecards, not good Texas policy," she said.[11]

General election history
2020
Texas General Election, 2020: State Representative District 65[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Michelle Beckley 40,529 51.5
Republican Kronda Thimesch 38,156 48.5
Democratic hold
2018
Texas General Election, 2018: State Representative District 65[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Michelle Beckley 29,972 51.2
Republican Ron Simmons 28,614 48.8
Democratic gain from Republican


References
  1. https://www.txdirectory.com/online/person/?id=62568&office=16811
  2. "About". Michelle Beckley. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  3. "Home Page | Kookaburra Bird Shop, LLC | Michelle Beckley". www.kookshop.com. Retrieved May 26, 2019.
  4. "Thousands march through downtown Dallas in support for women's rights". Dallas News. January 21, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2019.
  5. Tribune, Alexa Ura, Texas Tribune, Alexa Ura, Texas. "Texas House Approves Bathroom Restrictions For Transgender Students". www.kut.org. Retrieved May 26, 2019.
  6. "Michelle Beckley". Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 26, 2019.
  7. Roark, Chris. "Denton County incumbents win at county, state level".
  8. "Bills Authored / Joint Authored: Rep. Michelle Beckley, 86th Legislature Regular Session". Texas Legislature. May 16, 2019.
  9. "Texas Legislature Online - Report". capitol.texas.gov. Retrieved May 26, 2019.
  10. Taylor Goldenstein (May 9, 2019). "Texas Democrats kill bill inspired by San Antonio's Chick-fil-A flap". San Antonio Express-News.
  11. Huber, Mary. "Amid measles crisis, Texas bills targeting vaccine issues slow to move". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved May 26, 2019.
  12. Lee, Steffi (March 29, 2019). "Vaccine debate continues at the Texas Capitol". KXAN. Retrieved May 26, 2019.
  13. "TX HB16 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature". LegiScan.
  14. "Texas House of Representatives District 65". Ballotpedia. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
Texas House of Representatives
Preceded by
Ron Simmons		 Texas State Representative for
District 65 (southeastern Denton County)

Michelle Beckley
2019–present

Succeeded by
incumbent
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