Ernest James Bailes IV (born April 13, 1982), is a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives for District 18 in southeastern Texas.^[1] Bailes in 2017 succeeded Republican John Otto, who did not seek re-election in 2016.^[2]

Background

Bailes, a rancher and agriculturist, grew up on his family's beef and dairy cattle operations in East Texas. Growing up in Shepherd, he is a graduate of Shepherd High School and earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University in 2004.^[3] Following his graduation, Bailes founded his own company called Repro Select, an "advanced reproductive services provider for cattle and white tail deer producers across the South-Central United States. Bailes is married to Courtney Bailes, a third grade teacher at Coldspring - Oakhurst CISD. The couple has two sons named Cinco and Rigby.^[4]

Current legislative committees

Bailes serves as a member of the following committees: Economic and Small Business Development, Land and Resource Management, Rules and Resolutions, Small Business Subcommittee, and Coastal Barrier Systems.^[3]

Legislative history

Bailes voted to prohibit one-punch straight ticket voting^[3] and voted to establish standards for determining adjusted franchise tax rates.^[5]

Additionally, Bailes voted against the Schaefer Amendment of Senate Bill 8, which would have required women to carry fetuses with fatal fetal abnormalities to term. The amendment was tabled.^[6] SB8 related to certain prohibited abortions and the treatment and disposition of embryonic and fetal tissue remains, creating a civil cause of action and imposing a civil penalty, creating criminal offense.^[7] The law was struck down by a court challenge before taking effect.^[8]

2018 reelection

Bailes won reelection to a second term in the general election held on November 6, 2018. With 35,538 votes (75.5 percent), he defeated Democrat Fred Lemond, who polled 11,514 votes (24.5 percent).^[9]