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Quick Facts
Personal Details

Dennis Bonnen is a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives, representing District 25. Bonnen was first elected to the chamber in 1996. Bonnen is running for re-election in 2018. The primary election took place on March 6, 2018. The general election is being held on November 6, 2018.

Bonnen ran in one of 48 contested Texas state legislative Republican primaries in 2018. To read more about the conflict between Republican factions in the primaries, including who the factions were, which races were competitive and who key influencers lined up behind, click here.

Bonnen began serving as President Pro Tempore in 2013.

Bonnen is a graduate of Saint Edwards University, where he earned a bachelor's degree. Bonnen's professional experience includes working as a general manager for Master Data Systems, as a legislative analyst for CAN Manufacturers Institute, and as a small business owner.

He is a member of a number of organizations, including the Alvin Chamber of Commerce, Angleton Chamber of Commerce, Angleton Exchange Club, BACH, Boy & Girl Scouts of America, Brazoria Heritage Foundation, Brazosport Chamber of Commerce, Junior Achievement Board of Directors, Pearland Chamber of Commerce, Pearland Exchange Club, SFA 500, and Varner-Hogg Guardians Board.

Bonnen's previous political experience includes working as an advance team member on the Dole for President Campaign in 1995, and as Sergeant-at-Arms for the Texas State House of Representatives in 1993.

Caucuses/Former Committees

Former Member, Culture, Recreation, and Tourism Committee, Texas State House of Representatives

Former Member, Higher Education Committee, Texas State House of Representatives

Former Member, Joint Committee of Oversight of Higher Education Governance, Excellence and Transparency, Texas State House of Representatives

Former Member, Natural Resources Committee, Texas State House of Representatives

Former Member, Select Committee on Election Consent, Texas State House of Representatives

Former Chair, Select Committee on Voter Identification and Voter Fraud, Texas State House of Representatives

Former Member, Transportation Committee, Texas State House of Representatives

Former Chair, Ways and Means Committee, Texas State House of Representatives

Education

  • BA, Political Science and Government, Saint Edward's University, 1990-1994

Professional Experience

  • BA, Political Science and Government, Saint Edward's University, 1990-1994
  • President/Chief Executive Officer, Heritage Bank, Pearland, 2007-present
  • Legislative Analyst, Can Manufacturers Institute, 1994-1995
  • General Manager, Master Data Systems, 1995

Political Experience

  • BA, Political Science and Government, Saint Edward's University, 1990-1994
  • President/Chief Executive Officer, Heritage Bank, Pearland, 2007-present
  • Legislative Analyst, Can Manufacturers Institute, 1994-1995
  • General Manager, Master Data Systems, 1995
  • Speaker, Texas State House of Representatives, 2019-present
  • Representative, Texas State House of Representatives, District 25, 1996-present
  • Candidate, Texas State House of Representatives, District 25, 2018
  • Speaker Pro Tempore, Texas State House of Representatives, 2015-2018
  • Sergeant-at-Arms, Texas State House of Representatives, 1993

Former Committees/Caucuses

Former Member, Culture, Recreation, and Tourism Committee, Texas State House of Representatives

Former Member, Higher Education Committee, Texas State House of Representatives

Former Member, Joint Committee of Oversight of Higher Education Governance, Excellence and Transparency, Texas State House of Representatives

Former Member, Natural Resources Committee, Texas State House of Representatives

Former Member, Select Committee on Election Consent, Texas State House of Representatives

Former Chair, Select Committee on Voter Identification and Voter Fraud, Texas State House of Representatives

Former Member, Transportation Committee, Texas State House of Representatives

Former Chair, Ways and Means Committee, Texas State House of Representatives

Religious, Civic, and other Memberships

  • BA, Political Science and Government, Saint Edward's University, 1990-1994
  • President/Chief Executive Officer, Heritage Bank, Pearland, 2007-present
  • Legislative Analyst, Can Manufacturers Institute, 1994-1995
  • General Manager, Master Data Systems, 1995
  • Speaker, Texas State House of Representatives, 2019-present
  • Representative, Texas State House of Representatives, District 25, 1996-present
  • Candidate, Texas State House of Representatives, District 25, 2018
  • Speaker Pro Tempore, Texas State House of Representatives, 2015-2018
  • Sergeant-at-Arms, Texas State House of Representatives, 1993
  • Member, Alvin Chamber of Commerce, present
  • Member, Angleton Chamber of Commerce, present
  • Member, Bay City Chamber of Commerce, present
  • Board Member, B.I.G Love Cancer Care Services, present
  • Member, Board of Directors, Junior Achievement, present
  • Member, Brazoria Chamber of Commerce, present
  • Honorary Member, Brazoria County Cavalry, present
  • Member, Brazoria County Economic Development Alliance, present
  • Member, Brazosport Chamber of Commerce, present
  • Honorary Chair, "Count on US" Campaign, Brazosport College, present
  • Member, Matagorda Chamber of Commerce, present
  • Honorary Member, Matagorda County Cavalry, present
  • Member, Palacios Chamber of Commerce, present
  • Member, Pearland Chamber of Commerce, present
  • Member, Sweeny Chamber of Commerce, present
  • Member, 100 Club, Brazoria County
  • Member, Advisory Board, Bay Area Council of Boy Scouts
  • Former Member, Advisory Board, Brazoria County Community Foundation
  • Charter Member, Angleton Exchange Club
  • Member, ARC of Gulf Coast
  • Member, Board, ActionS, Incorporated, Brazoria County
  • Supporter, Boys Scouts of America
  • Member, Brazoria County Fair Association
  • Charter Member, Brazoria Heritage Foundation
  • Former Honorary Co-Chair, Crime Stoppers Golf Tournament
  • Member, Economic Development Alliance, Brazoria County
  • Former Honorary Co-Chair, Leukemia Society Light the Night Walk
  • Member, Levi Jordan Plantation Historical Society
  • Member, Pearland Exchange Club
  • Member, Sargent Chambers of Commerce
  • Charter Member, SFA 500
  • Board Member, Varner-Hogg Guardians
  • Member, West Columbia Chambers of Commerce
  • Advance Team Member, Dole for President Campaign, 1995

Other Info

— Awards:

  • Taxpayer Champion, 2011, Texans for Fiscal Responsibility
  • Strongest Texas Defender, 2009, Immigration Reform Coalition of Texas
  • 40 Under 40 Award, 2009, Houston Business Journal
  • Champion of Free Enterprise, 2009, Texas Association of Business
  • Champion for Technology, 2008, American Electronics Association
  • Environmental Steward Award, 2008, Texas Association of Mexican-American Chambers of Commerce
  • Clean Air Champion Award, 2008, Texas Clean Air Working Group
  • Hall of Honor, 2008, Brazoria County Republican Party
  • Partnership Award, 2006, Angleton Area Emergency Medical Corps
  • Defender of the American Dream, 2006, Americans for Prosperity
  • Community Honoree, 2006, LULAC Council #4655
  • Port Person of the Year, 2005, Texas Ports Association
  • Appreciation Award, 2005, Native Plant Society of Texas
  • Good Citizenship Medal, 2004, Cradle of Texas Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution
  • Public Service Award, 2004, Emissions Reduction and Energy Leadership Conference, San Antonio
  • Texas Lone Star Leadership Award, 2003, Texas Public Policy Foundation
  • Appreciation Award, 2003, Macedonian Association of Greater Houston
  • Fighter for Free Enterprise Award, 2001, Texas Association of Business and Chambers of Commerce
  • Freedom and Family Award, 2001, Texas Eagle Forum
  • Alumni Achievement Award, 2001, St. Edwards University
  • Appreciation Award, 1998, American Diabetes Association
  • Flemings Fellowship for Outstanding Freshman and Sophomore State Legislators, 1998

Policy Positions

Texas State Legislative Election 1996 National Political Awareness Test

Abortion

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning abortion.

1. Abortions should always be legally available.
- No Answer

2. Abortions should be legally available when the procedure is completed within the first trimester of pregnancy.
- No Answer

3. Abortions should be legal only when the pregnancy resulted from incest, rape, or if the life of the woman is endangered.
- No Answer

4. Abortions should always be illegal.
- X

5. Abortions should be limited by waiting periods and parental notification requirements.
- No Answer

6. Government funding should not be provided to clinics and medical facilities that provide abortion services.
- No Answer

Affirmative Action

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding affirmative action in Texas.

1. Texas government should prosecute cases of discrimination in the public and private sector.
- X

2. Texas government should not play a role in affirmative action policy decisions.
- X

3. Specific, adjustable percentages of contracts for state work should be awarded to minority or woman-owned businesses.
- No Answer

Budgetary

Indicate what changes you support (if any) concerning levels of funding for the following categories. Select one number only.

1. Abortion
- Eliminate

2. Affirmative Action
- Eliminate

3. Border Security
- Slightly Increase

4. Education
- Maintain Status

5. Environment
- Maintain Status

6. Health Care
- Maintain Status

7. Law enforcement
- Maintain Status

8. Welfare
- Slightly Decrease

Children & Families

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding children & family issues in Texas.

1. Increase funding for programs to prevent teen pregnancy.
- No Answer

2. Provide tax credits for businesses that provide child care for their employees.
- X

3. Deny or suspend state-issued permits and licenses to parents who are delinquent in paying court-ordered child support.
- X

Crime

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) to address crime in Texas.

1. Increase funding for construction of state prisons and hiring of additional prison staff.
- No Answer

2. Expand and promote "community policing" programs.
- X

3. Support "truth in sentencing" legislation for violent criminals so they serve full sentences with no chance of parole.
- X

4. Inform communities when a convicted sex offender moves into the community.
- No Answer

5. Limit the number of appeals allowed for inmates on death row.
- X

6. Oppose the death penalty.
- No Answer

7. Expand the use of the death penalty for additional circumstances relating to murder.
- No Answer

8. Increase funds for programs which rehabilitate and educate inmates during and after their prison sentence.
- No Answer

9. Decriminalize the possession and private use of certain illegal drugs such as marijuana.
- No Answer

10. Strengthen penalties and sentences associated with drug-related crimes.
- X

11. Support mandatory life sentences for third-time, violent felons.
- X

12. Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenses.
- No Answer

13. Advocate the use of prison inmate labor for public works projects.
- X

14. Support turning over state prison administration to the private sector.
- No Answer

15. Penalties for those committing "hate crimes" directed against a specific group should be toughened and strictly enforced.
- X

16. Implement chain gangs in prisons, in which inmates work together in chained work groups.
- No Answer

Crime (Juvenile)

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) to address juvenile crime in Texas.

1. Impose mandatory curfews for juveniles in high crime areas.
- No Answer

2. Provide state funding for military-style "boot-camps" for first-time juvenile felons.
- X

3. Prosecute juveniles who commit murder or other serious, violent crimes as adults.
- X

4. Increase state funding for community centers and other social agencies in areas with at-risk youth.
- No Answer

5. Support state government funding of programs for at-risk youth such as guaranteed college loans and job training and placement.
- No Answer

6. Make the criminal records of juvenile offenders available the same as the criminal records of adults.
- No Answer

Economic Development

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding economic development in Texas.

1. Increase state funds for improving the state's transportation system, including major roadways, railways and airports.
- No Answer

2. Initiate cost/benefit analysis of all state laws and regulations to determine their economic impact.
- X

3. Provide low interest loans and tax credits for expanding, start-up or relocating businesses.
- X

4. Expand legalized gambling (e.g. casino gambling).
- No Answer

5. Reduce state government regulations on the private sector.
- X

6. Remove state government controls or caps from wages, prices, rents, profits, production, and interest rates.
- No Answer

7. Increase state funding for programs to re-train unemployed workers.
- No Answer

8. Support limits on cash damages in lawsuits against businesses and professionals for product liability or malpractice.
- X

9. The right-to-work law should be made a constitutional amendment to the Texas Constitution.
- No Answer

10. The legislature should increase Texas' minimum wage.
- No Answer

Education

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding Texas' education system.

1. Provide parents with state-funded vouchers to send their children to any participating school (public, private, religious, technical).
- No Answer

2. Support continuation of charter schools where teachers and professionals receive state authorization and funding to establish new schools.
- No Answer

3. Emphasize local control of education as long as the school district meets state health and safety standards.
- X

4. Require the use of state-wide achievement standards for all state public schools.
- No Answer

5. Public school education in Texas should be funded by increases in state taxes rather than local property taxes.
- No Answer

6. Increase state funds for professional development and salaries of public school faculty.
- No Answer

7. Encourage private or corporate investment in certain public school programs.
- No Answer

8. Advocate bilingual educational programs in public schools.
- No Answer

9. Endorse teacher-led voluntary school prayer in public schools.
- X

10. Increase funds for school security.
- No Answer

11. Support public school sex education programs which stress abstinence.
- X

12. Support public school sex education programs which stress safe sexual practices.
- No Answer

Environment

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning Texas' environment and natural resources.

1. Require a cost/benefit analysis be completed on the economic impact of any environmental regulation before it is implemented.
- X

2. Support "self-audit" legislation which creates immunity incentives for polluting industries to clean up pollution.
- X

3. Provide funding for recycling programs in Texas.
- No Answer

4. Suspend Texas' participation in unfunded, federally mandated environmental protection legislation.
- X

5. Request flexibility from the federal government in enforcing and funding environmental regulations.
- No Answer

6. Maintain minimum environmental quality as mandated by current federal regulations.
- No Answer

7. Enact tougher environmental standards to encourage the sale of cleaner burning fuels throughout Texas.
- No Answer

8. Support "right to know" laws for workers exposed to hazardous substances.
- No Answer

9. Require the state to reimburse citizens when state environmental regulations limit the use of privately owned land.
- No Answer

10. Urge the U. S. Congress to amend the 1973 Endangered Species Act, to limit the number of habitats eligible to be designated endangered.
- X

11. The U.S. Government should sell federally-owned lands to the Texas public at market prices.
- No Answer

Government Reform

Would you support amending the Texas Constitution to limit the terms of the following Texas officials?

1. State Senators and Representatives
- Undecided

2. Governors
- Undecided

3. Do you support amending the U.S. Constitution to require a balanced federal budget?
- Yes

4. Do you support requiring limits on individual contributions to state legislative candidates?
- Yes

5. Do you support requiring limits on PAC contributions to state legislative candidates?
- Yes

6. Do you support requiring limits on corporate contributions to state legislative candidates?
- Yes

7. Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
- Yes

8. Do you support imposing spending limits on state level political campaigns?
- Undecided

9. Do you support partial funding from state taxes for state level political campaigns?
- Undecided

Gun

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning gun issues in Texas.

1. Support the federal ban on the public sale of certain semi-automatic assault weapons.
- No Answer

2. Increase restrictions on the purchase and possession of firearms.
- No Answer

3. Maintain all current state registration procedures and restrictions on possessing firearms.
- No Answer

4. Ease state procedures and restrictions on the purchase and registration of a firearm.
- No Answer

5. Repeal all bans and measures that restrict law-abiding citizens from obtaining firearms.
- No Answer

6. Continue to allow law-abiding citizens to carry concealed firearms.
- X

Health Care

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning Texas' health care system.

1. Provide tax incentives to assist small businesses in providing health care to their employees.
- No Answer

2. Ensure that Texas citizens have access to basic health care, through managed care, insurance reforms, or state funded care where necessary.
- No Answer

3. Guaranteeing medical care to all citizens is not a responsibility of government.
- X

4. Turn federal Medicaid funding over to the states in the form of block grants.
- X

5. Convert Texas' Medicaid program to a system of Medicaid-funded managed health care.
- No Answer

6. Provide state assistance to seniors and the disabled in having access to home and community-based health care to enable them to remain at home.
- No Answer

7. Expand state funding for pre-natal and infant care programs available in the state, including immunizations.
- No Answer

8. Provide prenatal care and health care for undocumented immigrants.
- No Answer

9. Support programs which will encourage Texans to seek early testing, counseling and treatment interventions for AIDS.
- No Answer

10. Limit the amount of damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
- X

11. Require insurance companies to include terminal diseases (e.g. AIDS, Alzheimer's) in their coverage.
- No Answer

12. Impose annual limits on Medicare spending and offer senior citizens the alternative of private health insurance plans.
- No Answer

State Taxes

Please indicate the changes you will support (if any) concerning Texas' tax levels for the following categories.

1. Alcohol Taxes
- Maintain Status

2. Business Taxes
- Slightly Decrease

3. Capital Gains
- Eliminate

4. Income taxes
- Eliminate

5. Property taxes
- Eliminate

6. Sales taxes
- Slightly Increase

7. State Fees
- Slightly Decrease

8. Do you support a flat tax structure for state income taxes?
- No

Welfare

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding Texas' welfare system.

1. Require that able-bodied welfare recipients receive job training, attend school, or work in order to receive welfare benefits.
- X

2. Eliminate government funded welfare and advocate privately funded assistance to people in need.
- X

3. Provide child care services to welfare recipients who work or attend school.
- No Answer

4. Support programs that give incentives for employers to hire and train welfare recipients.
- No Answer

5. Require welfare recipients to sign personal responsibility contracts which are also signed by the state.
- No Answer

6. Limit the benefits given to welfare recipients if they have additional children.
- X

7. Provide two-parent families living in poverty the same welfare benefits as one-parent families.
- No Answer

8. Require that unwed mothers under the age of 18 attend school and live with a parent or guardian (if possible) to receive benefits.
- X

9. Require mothers to identify their child(ren)'s father in order to receive welfare benefits.
- No Answer

10. Impose a two-year limit on welfare benefits for recipients who are able to work.
- X

11. Allow welfare recipients to work and still receive state-funded health care and child care (if needed) until they become self-sufficient.
- No Answer

Legislative Priorities

Explain what your two main legislative priorities will be if elected to the Texas State Legislature. If any of your priorities will require additional government funding, explain how you intend to obtain the additional funding.
- No Answer

State Bills
Speeches
Events