Brian Birdwell

Brian Birdwell

Republican Party

Texas State Senate District 22

Tenure

2010 - Present

Term ends

2027

Years in position

15

Compensation

Base salary

$7,200/year

Per diem

$221/day

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 8, 2022

Education

Bachelor's

Lamar University

Graduate

University of Missouri, Kansas City

Personal

Profession

Military

Contact

Official website

Official Twitter

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Brian Birdwell (Republican Party) is a member of the Texas State Senate, representing District 22. He assumed office in 2010. His current term ends on January 11, 2027.

Birdwell (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the Texas State Senate to represent District 22. He won in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Birdwell was elected senate president pro tempore on January 12, 2021.

Biography

Birdwell graduated from Lamar University, as the Distinguished Military Graduate of the Army ROTC program. He is also a graduate of Command and General Staff College, and holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Birdwell is a decorated Army veteran, and has received many honors due to his dedicated service to his Country. During his service, Birdwell served in numerous locations around the world, including South Korea, Germany, Central America and the Middle East. In 1990, Birdwell was deployed to Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm during the first Gulf War. He was awarded the Bronze Star for Exceptional Meritorious Achievement. In 2001, Birdwell served as the military aide to the Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management. When the Pentagon was attacked on September 11, 2001, Birdwell sustained life threatening burns when he was thrown from his office chair and into the flames. For his wounds at the Pentagon, he was awarded the Purple Heart, and upon retirement received the Legion of Merit Award.

Birdwell attributes his recovery and healing since 9/11 to his Christian faith. Birdwell's experience on 9/11 inspired he and his wife to launch Face The Fire Ministries, a nonprofit organization that supports critical burn survivors and wounded servicemen and women and their families. Birdwell and his wife have also written a book, Refined by Fire: A Family's Triumph of Love and Faith, in which they chronicle their life changing experiences.

Committee assignments

Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at:editor@ballotpedia.org.

2023-2024

Birdwell was assigned to the following committees:

• Veteran Affairs & Border Security Committee, Chair
• Business & Commerce Committee
• Committee of the Whole Senate
• Education Committee
• Natural Resources and Economic Development Committee, Chair
• Special Committee on Redistricting
• Senate State Affairs Committee

2021-2022

Birdwell was assigned to the following committees:

• Criminal Justice Committee
• Senate Higher Education Committee
• Natural Resources and Economic Development Committee, Chair
• Senate State Affairs Committee, Vice chair

2019-2020

Birdwell was assigned to the following committees:

• Finance Committee
• Natural Resources and Economic Development Committee, Chair
• Senate State Affairs Committee

2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

Texas committee assignments, 2017
• Criminal Justice
• Finance
• Nominations, Chair
• State Affairs

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Birdwell served on the following committees:

Texas committee assignments, 2015
• Natural Resources and Economic Development
• Nominations, Chair
• State Affairs
• Veteran Affairs & Military Installations

2013-2014

At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Birdwell served on the following committees:

2011-2012

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Birdwell served on the following Texas Senate committees:

Texas committee assignments, 2011
• Veteran Affairs & Military Installations, Vice chair
• Higher Education, Vice chair
• Economic Development
• Government Organization

2009-2010

In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Birdwell served on the following Texas Senate committees:

Sponsored legislation

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Elections

2022

See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2022

General election

General election for Texas State Senate District 22

Incumbent Brian Birdwell defeated Jeremy Schroppel in the general election for Texas State Senate District 22 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Brian Birdwell (R)	74.3	190,988
		Jeremy Schroppel (L)	25.7	66,204

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 257,192
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Texas State Senate District 22

Incumbent Brian Birdwell advanced from the Republican primary for Texas State Senate District 22 on March 1, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Brian Birdwell	100.0	69,270

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 69,270
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for Texas State Senate District 22

Jeremy Schroppel advanced from the Libertarian convention for Texas State Senate District 22 on March 19, 2022.

		Candidate
✔		Jeremy Schroppel (L)

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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2020

See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2020

General election

General election for Texas State Senate District 22

Incumbent Brian Birdwell defeated Robert Vick in the general election for Texas State Senate District 22 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Brian Birdwell (R)	68.5	257,208
		Robert Vick (D)	31.5	118,538

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 375,746
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Texas State Senate District 22

Robert Vick advanced from the Democratic primary for Texas State Senate District 22 on March 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Robert Vick	100.0	36,751

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 36,751
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Texas State Senate District 22

Incumbent Brian Birdwell advanced from the Republican primary for Texas State Senate District 22 on March 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Brian Birdwell	100.0	89,609

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 89,609
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the Texas State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election was held on March 1, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was December 14, 2015.

Incumbent Brian Birdwell defeated Michael Collins in the Texas State Senate District 22 general election.

Texas State Senate, District 22 General Election, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Brian Birdwell Incumbent	70.43%	211,380
	Democratic	Michael Collins	29.57%	88,769
Total Votes				300,149
Source: Texas Secretary of State

Michael Collins ran unopposed in the Texas State Senate District 22 Democratic Primary.

Texas State Senate, District 22 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Democratic	Michael Collins  (unopposed)

Incumbent Brian Birdwell ran unopposed in the Texas State Senate District 22 Republican Primary.

Texas State Senate, District 22 Republican Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Republican	Brian Birdwell Incumbent (unopposed)

2012

See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2012

Birdwell won re-election in the 2012 election for Texas State Senate, District 22. Birdwell ran unopposed in the May 29 primary election and defeated Tom Kilbride (L) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.

Texas State Senate, District 22, General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Brian Birdwell	85.2%	188,544
	Libertarian	Tom Kilbride	14.8%	32,786
Total Votes				221,330

2010

See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2010

Birdwell won re-election unopposed to the 22nd District seat in 2010. The general election took place on November 6, 2012.

He was originally elected via special election in June 2010 to fill the unexpired term of Kip Averitt.

Texas State Senate, District 22 2010 General election results
Candidates		Votes	Percent
Brian Birdwell (R)		134,231	100%

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Brian Birdwell did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Brian Birdwell did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Brian Birdwell campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2022	Texas State Senate District 22	Won general	$429,108	$377,134
2020	Texas State Senate District 22	Won general	$918,558	N/A**
2012	Texas State Senate, District 22	Won	$549,148	N/A**
2010	Texas State Senate, District 22	Won	$468,039	N/A**
Grand total			$2,364,853	$377,134
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Texas

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Texas scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

2024

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show].
In 2024, the Texas State Legislature was not in session.

2023

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show].

In 2023, the Texas State Legislature was in session from January 10 to May 29. Texans for Fiscal Responsibility Legislators are scored based by the organization on their votes on bills relating to "core budget and free enterprise issues." Texans Uniting for Reform & Freedom Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills relating to taxes and property rights. Texas Right to Life Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues. Texas Sierra Club Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. Texas Values Action Legislators are scored on their votes on social issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. The Institute for Legislative Analysis Legislators are scored on their adherence to the limited government principles of the U.S. Constitution.

2022

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show].
In 2022, the Texas State Legislature was not in session.

2021

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show].

In 2021, the Texas State Legislature was in session from January 12 to May 31. Club for Growth Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Equality Texas Legislators are scored on bills related to LGBT issues. National Federation of Independent Business in Texas Legislators are scored on their votes on small business issues. Texans for Fiscal Responsibility Legislators are scored based by the organization on their votes on bills relating to "core budget and free enterprise issues." Texans Uniting for Reform & Freedom Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills relating to taxes and property rights. Texas Right to Life Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues. Texas Sierra Club Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. Texas Values Action Legislators are scored on their votes on social issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2020

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show].
In 2020, the Texas State Legislature was not in session.

2019

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show].

In 2019, the Texas State Legislature was in its 86th legislative session from January 8 through May 27. Club for Growth Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Empower Texans Legislators are scored based by the organization on their votes on bills relating to "core budget and free enterprise issues." Environment Texas Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and public health issues. Equality Texas Legislators are scored on bills related to LGBT issues. Texans Uniting for Reform & Freedom Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills relating to taxes and property rights. Texas Eagle Forum: House and Senate Legislators are scored based on votes relating to conservative issues. Texas Right to Life Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues. Texas Values Action Legislators are scored on their votes on social issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2018

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show].
In 2018, the Texas State Legislature did not hold a regular session.

2017

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show].

In 2017, the Texas State Legislature was in its 85th legislative session from January 10 through May 29. A special session was held from July 18 to August 15. Conservative Roundtable Legislators are scored on their votes for or against the organization's position and principles. Empower Texans Legislators are scored based by the organization on their votes on bills relating to "core budget and free enterprise issues." Environment Texas Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and public health issues. Equality Texas Legislators are scored on bills related to LGBT issues. National Federation of Independent Business in Texas Legislators are scored on their votes on small business issues. Texans Uniting for Reform & Freedom Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills relating to taxes and property rights. Texans for Vaccine Choice Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization. Texas Alliance for Life Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to social issues. Texas Association of Business Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills related to businesses, taxpayers, and families. Texas Right to Life Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues. Texas Sierra Club Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. Texas Values Action Legislators are scored on their votes on social issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Young Conservatives of Texas Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2016

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show].
In 2016, the Texas State Legislature did not hold a regular session.

2015

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show].

In 2015, the Texas State Legislature was in its 84th legislative session from January 13 through June 1. Americans for Prosperity Texas - Texas Legislative Report Card 2015 Legislators are scored on how they voted on tax and fiscal legislation. Concerned Women for America of Texas: Legislative Scorecard for the 84th session Legislators are scored based on votes on bills relating to abortion, common core, and sex trafficking. Conservative Roundtable: Senate and House - 2015 Conservative Solutions Scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes for or against the organization's position and principles. Empower Texans - 2015 Fiscal Responsibility Index Legislators are scored based by the organization on their votes on bills relating to "core budget and free enterprise issues." Equality Texas - Equality Texas rankings for the Texas House during the 84th legislative session Legislators are scored on bills related to LGBT issues. Environment Texas - 2015 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and public health issues. Heritage Alliance - 2015 Texas Conservative Report Legislators are scored based on votes on social issues, economic issues, and other issues. National Federation of Independent Business in Texas: 2015 Legislative Voting Record Legislators are scored on their votes on small business issues. Texas Association of Business: Senate and House - For the Record 2015 Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills related to businesses, taxpayers, and families. Texas Eagle Forum - 2015 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored based on votes relating to conservative issues. Texas Right to Life - 2015 Legislative Scores Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues. Texas Tribune Guest Column: Mark P. Jones - The 2015 Texas House, From Right to Left Mark P. Jones, chair of the Department of Political Science at Rice University, biennially ranks state representatives based on how liberal and conservative they are according to legislative history. Texans Uniting for Reform & Freedom - 2015 Session Report Card Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills relating to taxes and property rights. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2014

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show].
In 2014, the Texas State Legislature did not hold a regular session.

2013

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show].

In 2013, the Texas State Legislature was in its 83rd legislative session from January 8 through May 27. Thirty minutes after the regular session ended, Governor Rick Perry called legislators back for a special session starting that evening. Two additional called sessions were held from July 1 through July 30 and July 30 through August 5. Concerned Women for America of Texas: Senate and House Legislators are scored based on votes on bills relating to abortion, common core, and sex trafficking. Conservative Roundtable - 2013 Conservative Solutions Scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes for or against the organization's position and principles. Empower Texans - 2013 Fiscal Responsibility Index Legislators are scored based by the organization on their votes on bills relating to "core budget and free enterprise issues." Environment Texas - 2013 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and public health issues. Equality Texas - Equality Texas rankings for the Texas House during the 83rd regular legislative session Legislators are scored on bills related to LGBT issues. NARAL Pro-Choice Texas: 2013 Legislative Scorecard on House Bill 2 Legislators are scored based on votes for House Bill 2. National Federation of Independent Business in Texas: 2013-2014 Legislative Voting Record Legislators are scored on their votes on small business issues. Texas Association of Business: Senate and House - For the Record 2013 Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills related to businesses, taxpayers, and families. Texas Eagle Forum - 2013 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored based on votes relating to conservative issues. Texas League of Conservation Voters - 2013 Scorecard Legislators are scored based on votes relating to environment and conservation issues. Texas Right to Life - 2013 Legislative Scores Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues. Texas Tribune Guest Column: Mark P. Jones - The 2013 Texas House, From Right to Left Mark P. Jones, chair of the Department of Political Science at Rice University, biennially ranks state representatives based on how liberal and conservative they are according to legislative history. Texans Uniting for Reform & Freedom - 2013 Session Report Card Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills relating to taxes and property rights. The American Conservative Union - 2013 State Legislative Ratings Guide Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Young Conservatives of Texas - 83rd Session House Budget Scorecard Legislators are scored based on votes for Amendments 2, 12, 51, 95, and 118. Young Conservatives of Texas: House and Senate Legislators are scored based on their votes on conservative issues.

2012

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show].
In 2012, the Texas State Legislature did not hold a regular session.

2011

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2011, click [show].

In 2011, the Texas State Legislature was in its 82nd legislative session from January 11 through May 30. A special session was called for May 31 through June 29. Conservative Roundtable - 2012 Conservative Roundtable Scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes for or against the organization's position and principles. Empower Texans - 2011 Fiscal Responsibility Index Legislators are scored based by the organization on their votes on bills relating to "core budget and free enterprise issues." Environment Texas - 2011 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and public health issues. Heritage Alliance - 2011 Texas Conservative Report Legislators are scored based on votes on social issues, economic issues, and other issues. Humane Society Legislative Fund - Humane 2011 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on animal protection bills. Texas Eagle Forum - The 82nd Legislative Session: Lost Opportunities Legislators are scored based on votes relating to conservative issues. Texas Right to Life - 2011 Legislative Scores Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues. Texas League of Conservation Votes - 2011 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored based on votes relating to environment and conservation issues. Texas Tribune Guest Column: Mark P. Jones - Liberals and Conservatives in the Texas House: The 2011 Ranking Mark P. Jones, chair of the Department of Political Science at Rice University, biennially ranks state representatives based on how liberal and conservative they are according to legislative history. Texas Watch: 2011 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored based on consumer-related bills. Young Conservatives of Texas - Legislative Ratings for the 82nd Legislature Legislators are scored based on their votes on conservative issues.

Personal

Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Brian and his wife, Mel, have one son, Matt. They reside in Granbury, TX.

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Texas State Senate District 22

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by -	Texas State Senate District 22 2010-Present	Succeeded by -

[show]

Current members of the Texas State Senate

Leadership

Senators

District 1

Bryan Hughes (R)

District 2

Bob Hall (R)

District 3

Robert Nichols (R)

District 4

Brandon Creighton (R)

District 5

Charles Schwertner (R)

District 6

Carol Alvarado (D)

District 7

Paul Bettencourt (R)

District 8

Angela Paxton (R)

District 9

Kelly Hancock (R)

District 10

Phil King (R)

District 11

Mayes Middleton (R)

District 12

Tan Parker (R)

District 13

Borris Miles (D)

District 14

Sarah Eckhardt (D)

District 15

Molly Cook (D)

District 16

Nathan Johnson (D)

District 17

Joan Huffman (R)

District 18

Lois Kolkhorst (R)

District 19

Roland Gutierrez (D)

District 20

Juan Hinojosa (D)

District 21

Judith Zaffirini (D)

District 22

Brian Birdwell (R)

District 23

Royce West (D)

District 24

Peter Flores (R)

District 25

Donna Campbell (R)

District 26

José Menéndez (D)

District 27

Adam Hinojosa (R)

District 28

Charles Perry (R)

District 29

César Blanco (D)

District 30

Brent Hagenbuch (R)

District 31

Kevin Sparks (R)

Republican Party (20)

Democratic Party (11)