Billy Pat Wright
Encyclopedia
Billy Pat Wright is an American, former real estate agent, former rancher, and a Republican
member of the Missouri House of Representatives
. He has represented the 159th district, which includes parts of Stoddard County
, Cape Girardeau County
, and Wayne County
, since 2005. He is also a candidate for the Republican nomination for Missouri's 25th district in the state senate.
in 1937. He attended Marmaduke High School in Marmaduke, Arkansas
. He then went to National University
and received his B.A.. He also attended Three Rivers Community College
. He later became a Southwestern Bell Telephone Company real estate agent and rancher. In addition, he is a U.S. Army veteran
. During his career he received the Paul Harris Fellow Award from the Dexter Rotary Club and he was the president of the Cotton Club of the Telephone Pioneers of America. He has also been legislative chair of the Communications Workers of America
and president of the Dexter Rotary Club. He is a member of the Church of Christ, the American-International Charolais Association, the Masonic Lodge
, and the Missouri Cattlemen's Association. He is married with three children and nine grand children.
from running for reelection. Wright defeated Jerry Elder and Don Stephens in the Republican primary and then went on to defeat Boyce Wooley in the general election. Two years later Wright beat Boyce Wooley again and this time he beat him by a greater margin. In 2008 and 2010, Wright won re-election against Bill Burlison, a former U.S. Representative. In 2011, Billy Pat Wright decided to run for the 25th district in the Missouri Senate
. It is an open seat because Rob Mayer is unable to run for re-election due to term limits. Former Representative Gayle Kingery
and businessman Jeff Shawan also announced their intent to seek the Republican nomination.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
member of the Missouri House of Representatives
Missouri House of Representatives
The Missouri House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 163 members, representing districts with an average size of 31,000 residents. House members are elected for two-year terms during general elections held in even-numbered years.In 1992 Missouri...
. He has represented the 159th district, which includes parts of Stoddard County
Stoddard County, Missouri
Stoddard County is a county located in Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the population was 29,705. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 29,537. The county seat is Bloomfield while the largest city in the county is Dexter...
, Cape Girardeau County
Cape Girardeau County, Missouri
Cape Girardeau County is a county located in Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the county's population was 75,764. While the largest city in the county is Cape Girardeau, the county seat is actually Jackson, which was the first city named in honor of President...
, and Wayne County
Wayne County, Missouri
Wayne County is a county located in the Ozark Foothills Region of Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the population was 13,259. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 12,652. The county seat is Greenville...
, since 2005. He is also a candidate for the Republican nomination for Missouri's 25th district in the state senate.
Early life and career
Billy Pat Wright was born in Rector, ArkansasRector, Arkansas
Rector is a city in Clay County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 2,017 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Rector is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
in 1937. He attended Marmaduke High School in Marmaduke, Arkansas
Marmaduke, Arkansas
Marmaduke is a city in Greene County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,158 at the 2000 census.- History :The town of Marmaduke was named for Confederate Major General John Sappington Marmaduke, who later served as Governor of Missouri. Marmaduke was said to have established a camp for...
. He then went to National University
National University (California)
National University , founded in 1971, is a comprehensive, nonsectarian, independent, accredited, non-profit private university headquartered in La Jolla, California, United States, with academic degree programs offered at campuses located throughout the state, one in Henderson, Nevada, and...
and received his B.A.. He also attended Three Rivers Community College
Three Rivers Community College (Missouri)
Three Rivers Community College is a community college in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, USA.Three Rivers was founded in 1967 when voters in the counties of Butler, Carter, Ripley and Wayne approved the taxing district of Butler, Carter, Ripley, and Wayne counties....
. He later became a Southwestern Bell Telephone Company real estate agent and rancher. In addition, he is a U.S. Army veteran
Veteran
A veteran is a person who has had long service or experience in a particular occupation or field; " A veteran of ..."...
. During his career he received the Paul Harris Fellow Award from the Dexter Rotary Club and he was the president of the Cotton Club of the Telephone Pioneers of America. He has also been legislative chair of the Communications Workers of America
Communications Workers of America
Communications Workers of America is the largest communications and media labor union in the United States representing about 550,000 members in both the private and public sectors. The union has 27 locals in Canada via CWA-SCA Canada representing about 8,000 members...
and president of the Dexter Rotary Club. He is a member of the Church of Christ, the American-International Charolais Association, the Masonic Lodge
Masonic Lodge
This article is about the Masonic term for a membership group. For buildings named Masonic Lodge, see Masonic Lodge A Masonic Lodge, often termed a Private Lodge or Constituent Lodge, is the basic organisation of Freemasonry...
, and the Missouri Cattlemen's Association. He is married with three children and nine grand children.
Political career
Billy Pat Wright first ran for the Missouri House of Representatives in 2004. The 159th district had become open when term limits prevented Rob MayerRobert Mayer (Missouri)
Robert Mayer is a U.S. attorney who has also worked as a farmer, broadcaster, and industrial engineering technician. He is also currently a Republican member of the Missouri State Senate...
from running for reelection. Wright defeated Jerry Elder and Don Stephens in the Republican primary and then went on to defeat Boyce Wooley in the general election. Two years later Wright beat Boyce Wooley again and this time he beat him by a greater margin. In 2008 and 2010, Wright won re-election against Bill Burlison, a former U.S. Representative. In 2011, Billy Pat Wright decided to run for the 25th district in the Missouri Senate
Missouri Senate
The Missouri State Senate is the upper chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 34 members, representing districts with an average population of 160,000...
. It is an open seat because Rob Mayer is unable to run for re-election due to term limits. Former Representative Gayle Kingery
Gayle Kingery
Gayle Kingery is an American, former teacher, and former Republican member of the Missouri House of Representatives. He represented the 154th district, which includes part of Butler County, from 2003 to 2011...
and businessman Jeff Shawan also announced their intent to seek the Republican nomination.
Committee assignments
- Appropriations - General Administration
- Agriculture Policy
- Veterans
- Emerging Issues in Animal Agriculture (Chairman)