Patricia Fincher Harless[1] (born November 13, 1963)[2] is a Texan politician and businesswoman who represented the 126th district in the Texas House of Representatives until 2017.
Political career
Harless was appointed to the Texas Motor Vehicle Board overseeing the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles by Governor George W. Bush and later re-appointed by Governor Rick Perry, serving from 1998 to 2005.[1]
She was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2006 for the 126th district as a member of the Republican Party. She was sworn in on January 8, 2007 succeeding Republican Peggy Hamric and was subsequently re-elected four times.[1]
In 2016, she declined to seek re-election and was succeeded by Kevin Roberts.[3]
In 2019, Sam Harless was elected to the Texas House of Representatives for her former district.[4]
Electoral history
2006
| Texas General Election, 2006: House District 126[5] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Patricia Harless | 18,112 | 64.77% |
| Democrat | Chad Khan | 9,114 | 32.59% |
| Libertarian | Oscar J. Palma, Jr. | 736 | 2.63% |
| Margin | 8,998 | 32.18% | |
2008
| Texas General Election, 2008: House District 126[6] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Patricia Harless (Incumbent) | 32,748 | 59.40% |
| Democrat | Chad Khan | 21,179 | 38.42% |
| Libertarian | Oscar J. Palma, Jr. | 1,204 | 2.18% |
| Margin | 11,569 | 20.98% | |
2010
| Texas General Election, 2010: House District 126[7] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Patricia Harless (Incumbent) | 25,534 | 68.14% |
| Democrat | Casey McKinney | 11,938 | 31.86% |
| Margin | 13,596 | 36.28% | |
2012
| Texas General Election, 2012: House District 126[8] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Patricia Harless (Incumbent) | 40,311 | 100.00% |
| Margin | 40,311 | 100.00% | |
2014
| Texas General Election, 2014: House District 126[9] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Patricia Harless (Incumbent) | 23,899 | 86.31% |
| Libertarian | Cris Hernandez | 3,791 | 13.69% |
| Margin | 20,108 | 72.62% | |
Personal life
Harless married Sam Harless in 1985 and has one child.[10] She co-owns Fred Fincher Motors, a car dealership group founded by her parents in 1959, with her husband and previously served as CFO.[1][11]
References
- ^ a b c d "Legislative Reference Library | Legislators and Leaders | Member profile". lrl.texas.gov. Retrieved 2025-02-13.
- ^ "Patricia Harless". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2025-02-13.
- ^ Ramsey, By Ross (2015-06-08). "Harless Won't Seek Re-election to Texas House". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 2025-02-13.
- ^ "Official Home Page of the Texas House of Representatives Website for Rep. Harless, Sam. Texas House of Representatives". Texas House of Representatives. Retrieved 2025-02-13.
- ^ "Race Summary Report 2006 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
- ^ "Race Summary Report 2008 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
- ^ "Race Summary Report 2010 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
- ^ "Race Summary Report 2012 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
- ^ "Race Summary Report 2014 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
- ^ "Get to Know Sam Harless". Sam Harless. Retrieved 2025-02-13.
- ^ Staff, By Texas Tribune (2019-02-14). "Watch: A conversation with three new Republican state representatives". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 2025-02-13.