Birdwell announces re-election run for Texas Senate

Brian Birdwell announced Monday, July 20 he is running for re-election in Texas Senate District 22.

GRANBURY — Vowing to remain a leading conservative voice on the battlefield of ideas, State Senator Brian Birdwell announced Monday his campaign for re-election in Texas Senate District 22.

Senate District 22 includes Bosque, Ellis, Falls, Hill, Hood, Johnson, McLennan, Navarro, Somervell and Tarrant [partial] Counties.

In his three legislative sessions since being elected in 2010, Birdwell has been consistently heralded as a top conservative leader as a result of his proactive efforts and firm stances on the issues of life, limited government, individual liberties, low taxes, and economic policies which promote jobs, growth and opportunity for the citizens he serves.

"I've been proud to fight for my constituents on critical issues like second amendment rights, border security, transparency and fiscal stewardship, but the battle is far from over. I'm pledging my firm commitment to the citizens of Senate District 22 to continue being vigilant on these and many other important issues," Birdwell said. "As a military tactician by trade, I know that Texas cannot simply rest on its laurels, but instead, must remain vigilant in defense of our freedoms, values,
and liberties."

Birdwell’s announcement follows an extremely successful legislative session in which the senator’s effectiveness in representing the citizens of Senate District 22 grew considerably. After a successful interim of cutting state government waste on the Sunset Advisory Commission, he was appointed by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick to serve as chairman of both the Senate Committee on Nominations and the Senate Subcommittee on Border Security. Birdwell further led the Senate’s border security efforts as the sponsor of HB 11, Texas’ new sweeping border-enforcement plan.

Birdwell is also proud to have been the legislative leader on a number of key issues, including passing the first river authority Sunset bill in decades; the Campus Personal Protection Act for Concealed Handgun License-holders; legislation creating community oversight for toll-road authorities; an ammonium-nitrate fertilizer safety and storage plan; an expansion to higher education and career training access in north Texas; and a host of locally-focused bills addressing constituent needs throughout Senate District 22.

Additionally, Birdwell worked with his colleagues this session to provide conservative solutions to many of the key issues facing Texas. Notable among these efforts were the passage of a conservative, efficient budget that funds the essential functions of the state; the establishment of rigorous property tax and business tax relief; an historic increase in public transportation funding; and the full funding of enrollment growth for Texas public schools.

"I’m proud of the impact that I have been able to make during my short time in office, and I owe much of that to the support I continually receive from the citizens whom I serve," Birdwell stated. "From day one, I shared with the voters of Senate District 22 my views on the role and function of state government—none of which have changed—and I will be honored if those same men and women grant me the opportunity to continue representing them and advancing our shared principles in the Texas Senate."

In addition to his chairmanship duties, Birdwell also serves as a member of the Senate Committees on State Affairs; Natural Resources and Economic Development; and Veterans Affairs and Military Installations. At the start of the 85th legislative session, Birdwell is projected to be the sixth most senior Republican in the Texas Senate.

After a distinguished career of serving his nation in the U.S. military, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Brian Birdwell was elected to the Texas Senate in a 2010 special election. Birdwell was a staff officer at the Pentagon on 9/11 when American Airlines Flight 77 was crashed into the building. Over 60% of his body was badly burned, and he endured 39 operations to rebuild his body. Lt. Col. Birdwell was awarded a Bronze Star for service in the Persian Gulf War and the Purple Heart for his wounds at the Pentagon.

Brian and his wife Mel authored "Refined by Fire: A Family's Triumph of Love and Faith," which tells their story of survival. They also founded Face the Fire Ministries, a non-profit supporting critical burn survivors, wounded service personnel, and their families. Even as a public servant, Birdwell has continued to share how faith in Christ sustained the family during their long ordeal following the 9/11 attack. In 2011, Birdwell agreed to share his story in an "I Am Second" video testimonial which has been viewed more than 100,000 times.

The Birdwells have been married for 28 years and reside in Granbury, where they attend Lakeside Baptist Church. The Birdwells have one son, Matt, a graduate of Texas Tech University who resides in Tarrant County with his wife Ann-Marie.