Michelle Beckley

Beckley decided to run for office after attending the Dallas 2017 Women's March.[4]

Beckley defeated Ron Simmons, the author of HB 2899, the so-called "Bathroom Bill,"[5] a bill that some business leaders in Texas said was unnecessary and divisive. Beckley won 51.1% to 48.9%,[6] despite being outspent nearly six to one. Beckley was endorsed by the AFL-CIO, the Sierra Club, and Planned Parenthood.

Beckley defeated Kronda Thimesch in the 2020 general election. Beckley won 51.5% to 48.5%.[7]

Beckley authored[8] and co-authored[9] numerous bills in the 86th legislative session involving LGBTQ equality, public health, and women's reproductive health.

"House Bill 978 sought to amend the Texas Family Code to use gender-neutral language when discussing marriage — changing references to “man and woman” or “husband and wife” to “two individuals” or “spouses.” The bill would also amend the Health and Safety Code to remove provisions regarding the criminality or unacceptability of “homosexual conduct.” Beckley’s bill died in the House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence. Its companion, Senate Bill 153 by José Rodríguez, D-El Paso, did not receive a committee hearing. Both bills received heavy pushback from religious advocacy groups who say the legislation amounts to an attack on religious freedom.[10]

A vaccine-related amendment,[11] introduced by Beckley, was approved in March as part of the state budget.[12] It requires state health officials to assess the immunization rates at child care centers, which it has not done for several years."

Beckley was outspoken about HB 16,[13] the so-called Born Alive bill. "I refuse to make a mockery out of women's health and so I joined 50 of my colleagues to register as 'Present Not Voting.' Today's vote was about Republican scorecards, not good Texas policy," she said.[11]

2020

2018

• Profile at Vote Smart
• Biography at Ballotpedia
• Legislative page