Texas House of Representatives, District 63
Encyclopedia
District 63 is a district of the Texas House of Representatives
that serves a portion of Denton County
. The current representative for District 63 is Republican
Tan Parker
, who was elected in 2006.
. It is one of three serving Denton County; in terms of geography it is the largest, encompassing all of northern and western Denton County and over half of southern and eastern Denton County (forming a near complete loop around the county). Major cities in the district include Flower Mound
, Highland Village
, Sanger
, Aubrey
, Pilot Point
, and the western half of Lewisville
.
.
The five candidates seeking election were:
The March 7 election resulted in a runoff between Parker (who finished first) and Lakusta (who finished second). Gruden (the third place finisher) requested a recount, as he was only 45 votes behind Lakusta for the second-place spot, but the recount confirmed the standings. Lawrence finished fourth and Savoie finished last.
Gruden and Lawrence endorsed Parker in the April 11 runoff, while Savoie endorsed Lakusta; the runoff saw Parker defeating Lakusta by 48 votes.
Texas House of Representatives
The Texas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Texas Legislature. The House is composed of 150 members elected from single-member districts across the state. The average district has about 150,000 people. Representatives are elected to two-year terms with no term limits...
that serves a portion of Denton County
Denton County, Texas
Denton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 432,976; in 2009 the estimated population had reached 628,300. Part of the Dallas – Fort Worth Metroplex, it is one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States. The county seat is Denton. The county...
. The current representative for District 63 is Republican
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...
Tan Parker
Tan Parker
Tan Parker is a politician and businessman who currently serves in the Texas House of Representatives. He was elected as a Republican to represent District 63 in 2006....
, who was elected in 2006.
District description
The district is located wholly within Denton CountyDenton County, Texas
Denton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 432,976; in 2009 the estimated population had reached 628,300. Part of the Dallas – Fort Worth Metroplex, it is one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States. The county seat is Denton. The county...
. It is one of three serving Denton County; in terms of geography it is the largest, encompassing all of northern and western Denton County and over half of southern and eastern Denton County (forming a near complete loop around the county). Major cities in the district include Flower Mound
Flower Mound, Texas
Flower Mound is a town in Denton and Tarrant counties in the U.S. state of Texas, and a suburb of Fort Worth and Dallas. Its population was 50,702 at the U.S. Census Bureau's 2000 census, and 64,669 at the 2010 Census. The town derives its name from the prominent mound located in the southern...
, Highland Village
Highland Village, Texas
Highland Village is a city in Denton County, Texas, United States, a suburb of Dallas hugging the south side of the far western branch of Lewisville Lake. As of the 2000 census the city population was 12,173, though the 2006 projection by the U.S. Census Bureau puts the city's population at 15,738...
, Sanger
Sanger, Texas
Sanger is a city in Denton County, Texas, United States. The population was 4,534 at the 2000 census. The 2006 population was 6,200. -Geography:Sanger is located at ....
, Aubrey
Aubrey, Texas
Aubrey is a city in Denton County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,500 at the 2000 census.-History:In 1847 the community was named Onega and the Cherokee people were the main inhabitants. Historically it was known for the peanut farms that surrounded the town. By 2009 horse ranches...
, Pilot Point
Pilot Point, Texas
Pilot Point is a city in Denton County, Texas, United States. The population was 3,538 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Pilot Point is located at ....
, and the western half of Lewisville
Lewisville, Texas
Lewisville is a city in Denton County in the U.S. state of Texas. The 2010 United States Census placed the population at 95,290 within . The city also includes of Lewisville Lake....
.
2006 candidates
Mary C. Denny served as Representative starting in 1993. She chose not to seek re-election in 2006. Five Republican candidates (listed below) filed to take Denny's place. No candidate from any other party filed (the district, like much of Denton County, is a GOP stronghold), so the winner of the Republican Party primary would serve District 63 in the Eightieth Texas LegislatureEightieth Texas Legislature
The Eightieth Texas Legislature met in regular session beginning 9 January 2007. All members of the House of Representatives and 16 members of the Senate were up for election on 7 November 2006 in the Texas Legislature election....
.
The five candidates seeking election were:
- Ricky Gruden, financial advisor
- Anne Lakusta, Realtor; served on the Lewisville Independent School DistrictLewisville Independent School DistrictLewisville Independent School District is a 127-square mile school district based in Lewisville, Texas covering all of Lewisville, The Colony, Flower Mound, Highland Village, Copper Canyon, and Double Oak as well as portions of Plano, Carrollton, Frisco, Hebron, Coppell, Grapevine and Argyle.The...
Board of Trustees, 1994–2003, and as the Board's first female president, 1998–2003. Lakusta received the endorsement of the Dallas Morning News for this race, due in large part to her prior school board experience. - Bill Lawrence, businessman, served as mayor of Highland Village, 2000–2005.
- Tan ParkerTan ParkerTan Parker is a politician and businessman who currently serves in the Texas House of Representatives. He was elected as a Republican to represent District 63 in 2006....
, businessman; Parker received the endorsement of outgoing Representative Denny and former Congressman Dick ArmeyDick ArmeyRichard Keith "Dick" Armey is a former U.S. Representative from Texas's and House Majority Leader . He was one of the engineers of the "Republican Revolution" of the 1990s, in which Republicans were elected to majorities of both houses of Congress for the first time in four decades. Armey was...
, notwithstanding his lack of political experience - Michael Savoie, businessman and college administrator, served two terms as mayor of NorthlakeNorthlake, TexasNorthlake is a town in Denton County, Texas, United States. The population was 921 at the 2000 census. Despite the name, it is located west of Lake Grapevine .-Geography:Northlake is located at .According to...
, 1997–2003, and the latter half of 2005.
The March 7 election resulted in a runoff between Parker (who finished first) and Lakusta (who finished second). Gruden (the third place finisher) requested a recount, as he was only 45 votes behind Lakusta for the second-place spot, but the recount confirmed the standings. Lawrence finished fourth and Savoie finished last.
Gruden and Lawrence endorsed Parker in the April 11 runoff, while Savoie endorsed Lakusta; the runoff saw Parker defeating Lakusta by 48 votes.