John Harden Bucy III is an American businessman and politician serving as a member of the Texas House of Representatives for the 136th District, which includes Northwest Austin, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Round Rock, and the Brushy Creek area in Williamson County.[1][2]
John H. Bucy III | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 136th district | |
| Assumed office January 8, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Tony Dale |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Harden Bucy III June 26, 1984 |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Molly Bucy |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence(s) | Austin, Texas, US |
| Alma mater | Austin College |
| Occupation | Small business owner |
| Committees | Elections (Vice Chair)
Higher Education Health Care Reform, Select |
| Website | www |
Political career
editBucy was sworn into the Texas House on January 8, 2019, after winning the November 2018 general election with 53 percent of the vote.[3] He defeated incumbent Republican Tony Dale, in a re-match of their 2014 race.[4] In 2020, he defeated Republican Mike Guevara and Libertarian Brian Elliott with 53 percent of the vote to win re-election to a second term.[5] In 2022 Bucy won re-election by his largest margin, defeating Republican Michelle Evans and Libertarian Burton Culley with 61 percent of the vote.[6]
Prior to his election to the Texas House of Representatives, Bucy was chair of the Williamson County Democratic Party, winning multiple city council races in Austin, Cedar Park, Georgetown, and Round Rock, as well as the first county commissioner's seat in nearly 20 years.[7][8] He was elected in March 2016 and served until he resigned to run for office on December 6, 2017.[9]
Bucy volunteered as a block captain for former President Barack Obama and as a Democratic Party Precinct Chair. He was co-founder of the Western WilCo Dems Club and served as Legislative Liaison for the Texas Democratic Party County Chairs Association. In 2020, Bucy was named co-chair of the Platform Committee at the Texas Democratic Party State Convention.
Texas House of Representatives
editAs a freshman member of the 86th Legislative Session, Bucy was appointed to the House Committee on Elections and the House Committee on Culture, Recreation & Tourism. He was elected by his peers to be chair of the Young Texans Legislative Caucus. Bucy was honored as the Freshman of the Year by the Texas House Democratic Caucus and Best Local Elected Official as part of the Hill Country News annual Best of the Best in 2019.[10]
In the 87th Legislative Session, Bucy served on the House Committee on Elections and the House Committee on Transportation. He was later named to the House Select Committee on Constitutional Rights & Remedies,[11] where he was a key voice opposing legislation that undermined the freedom to vote. Bucy was also elected Vice Chair of the Innovation & Technology Caucus and appointed Deputy Whip of the Texas House Democratic Caucus.
In 2022, Bucy was appointed by Speaker Phelan to serve on the Select Committee for Health Care Reform, which met during the Interim before the 88th Legislative Session.[12] Throughout his career, he has been outspoken on the need to accept Medicaid Expansion, maternal mortality, and mental health services.
Recently, Bucy was named Vice Chair of the House Committee on Elections for the 88th Legislative Session, which began in January 2023. He will also serve on the Higher Education Committee and continue his service on the Health Care Reform Select Committee.[13]
Electoral history
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Michelle Evans | 21,240 | 36.04% | |
| Democratic |  John H. Bucy III
|
36,137 | 61.32% | |
| Libertarian | Burton Culley | 1,552 | 2.63% | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mike Guevara | 43,533 | 43.07% | |
| Democratic | John H. Bucy III
|
53,887 | 53.31% | |
| Libertarian | Brian Elliott | 3,653 | 3.61% | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Tony Dale | 34,084 | 43.73% | |
| Democratic | John H. Bucy III
|
41,592 | 53.37% | |
| Libertarian | Zack Parks | 2,258 | 2.9% | |
Committee assignments
edit88th Legislative Session: Elections, Vice Chair | Higher Education | Health Care Reform, Select
87th Interim: Health Care Reform, Select
87th Legislative Session: Elections | Transportation | Constitutional Rights & Remedies, Select
86th Legislative Session: Elections | Culture, Recreation & Tourism
Legislative and community leadership
editChair, Young Texans Legislative Caucus
Vice Chair, Innovation & Technology Caucus
Regional Board Member, Special Olympics of Texas
Platform Committee Chair, Texas Democratic Party 2020 State Convention
Former Deputy Whip, House Democratic Caucus
Former Member, Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG)
Former Chair, Williamson County Democratic Party
Personal life
editBucy is a native Austinite and graduate of Austin College in Sherman, Texas. He is the founder and President of TCSAAL, which provides athletic, academic, and arts competitions for character school students across Texas.[citation needed] Bucy serves on the regional board of the Special Olympics of Texas and is active with the Penfold Theatre.[citation needed] He lives with his wife, two daughters, and their dog in Northwest Austin.[citation needed]
References
edit- ^ Sanders, Austin (December 17, 2018). "New state Rep. John Bucy: Williamson County Democrats should be proud". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
- ^ King, Michael (January 4, 2019). "Rep. John Bucy III on the 86th Texas Legislature". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
- ^ Walsh, Sean Collins (November 6, 2018). "Democrat John Bucy III beats GOP state Rep. Tony Dale". The Austin American Statesman. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
- ^ Bova, Gus (October 23, 2018). "Can John Bucy Break the GOP Hold on Williamson County?". The Texas Observer. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
- ^ Hunt, Kailey (November 3, 2020). "Incumbent Bucy re-elected to Texas House District 136". KXAN News. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
- ^ "Williamson County Election Office".
- ^ Perrone, Caitlin (November 10, 2016). "Terry Cook is first Democrat elected to WilCo Commissioners Court since 1994". Community Impact. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
- ^ Stutzman, Brad (June 16, 2017). "Williamson County prepares for end to straight-party voting". The Austin American Statesman. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
- ^ Parker, Mike (December 18, 2017). "National political climate spurs Dems to run in Williamson County". The Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
- ^ "Best of the Best 2019" (PDF). Hill Country News. 6 June 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
- ^ "Texas House of Representatives".
- ^ "Creation of House Select Committee on Health Care Reform" (PDF).
- ^ "Standing Committee Appointments by Member" (PDF). Texas House of Representatives.
- ^ "Joint General and Special Election - 2022". Williamson County Elections Office. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
- ^ "Joint General and Special Election - 2020". Williamson County Elections Office. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
- ^ "Joint General and Special Election - 2018". Williamson County Elections Office. Retrieved 1 November 2021.