State Rep. Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) filed papers Tuesday with the Republican Party of Texas to run for re-election to the Texas House of Representatives.
“I’m committed to continue fighting for our conservative West Texas values in the Texas Capitol,” Landgraf said in a news release. “A man’s word still means something out here in the Permian Basin, so I aim to keep my promises like I always have. That’s why, as your state representative, I’ll keep doing everything I can to defend Texas energy, secure the border, lower taxes, scrap the STAAR, build more roads that are safer, and preserve the constitutional rights and liberties of West Texans.”
In 2023, Landgraf worked with his Republican colleagues to increase funding for border security, raise penalties for selling and manufacturing fentanyl, prevent liberal cities and counties from banning gas or diesel engines, and pass the largest property tax cut in Texas history. Landgraf also filed legislation and worked to pass several amendments to reduce and eliminate high-stakes STAAR testing. While these attempts were unsuccessful, Landgraf remains optimistic about his chances to finally scrap STAAR in the coming months.
“When I was first elected to serve as your voice in the Texas House, nobody ever thought abortion would be outlawed in Texas or that Texans would be able to carry a firearm without a permit,” Landgraf continued. “I was proud to fight for those conservative victories and to prove the naysayers wrong, and, on behalf of every public school student and family, I look forward to doing it again with STAAR. The motivation and interest in moving away from this draconian testing method has never been higher among my legislative colleagues than it is today, and I’ll keep fighting until the job is done.”
Landgraf has served as chairman of the House Environmental Regulation Committee since 2021, where he has successfully thwarted liberal attempts to curb oil and gas production and killed radical Green New Deal-type legislation. In addition to leading this powerful committee, Landgraf also serves on the influential House Transportation Committee, a position he has held since 2019. In recent years, transportation funding has increased by more than 700% for highways in the Odessa TxDOT district, going from $50 million per year in the 4 years before Rep. Landgraf was elected to $430 million per year during the last four years. In fiscal year 2023, TxDOT spent more than $500 million on projects in the Odessa TxDOT district – the largest amount in the history of West Texas.
“I humbly ask for your support so I can continue fighting for the community we all share and love. It is an honor and privilege to serve as your voice — the voice of the Permian Basin — in the Texas House of Representatives. It is a responsibility I don’t take lightly, taking top priority in my life behind only my faith and family,” Landgraf added.
Landgraf serves Texas House District 81, encompassing four West Texas counties. Landgraf lives in his hometown of Odessa with his wife, Shelby, and their daughter. He works as a fourth-generation West Texas rancher and practices business law in Odessa. An Eagle Scout, Landgraf is also active in several local non-profits.
In 2022 he faced a challenge from Odessan Casey Gray. Landgraf won the race with about 80 percent of the vote. The primary is in March and the election is in November 2024.
