Senator announces re-election bid

Troy Fraser

State Senator Troy Fraser, RHorseshoe Bay, on Tuesday announced his re-election campaign for Senate District 24, which includes Lampasas, Burnet and Bell in the 22-county district.

Primary elections will take place the first Tuesday in March, with the general election in November.

"The challenges of the next legislative session will be greater than ever before," Fraser said. "The residents of West and Central Texas deserve a strong voice and a steady hand in the Senate. My experience in Austin puts me in a position to help."

Fraser has served in the Texas Senate since 1996, winning reelection in 2000, 2002 and 2004. He is as chairman of the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce, which handles legislation relating to telecommunications, electricity, insurance and banking, as well as business regulation and licensing.

"As chairman of the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce, I recognize that economic development and job creation are the most important issues facing a community," Fraser said.

"I want to continue to use my leadership role in 2009 to fight for the interests of this district so that we continue to grow."

He also is a member of the Senate Committee on Finance, State Affairs and International Relations & Trade.

In 2006, Fraser was named the country's top legislator by the American Legislative Exchange Council, an association for state legislators, as a result of landmark legislation passed in telecommunications, electricity deregulation, renewable energy development and property insurance reform.

In 2003, he was honored as the State Official of the Year by the National Association of Home Builders. Fraser also was recognized in 2003 by Texans for Lawsuit Reform for his contributions to civil justice reform.

In 2004, the Association of the United States Army honored him for exceptional service in support of national defense.

Before his election to the Senate, Fraser served three terms in the Texas House of Representatives from 1988 to 1992.

He was named the 1991 National Republican Legislator of the Year and was honored by the Texas State Chamber for his work as co-sponsor of the 1989 workers' compensation reform legislation.

He also was named a "Top Ten" conservative legislator by a coalition that represents more than 300,000 conservative activists.

Born in Abilene, Fraser grew up in the West Texas town of Coahoma. He attended Angelo State University and the University of Texas at Arlington. He and his wife, Linda, have been married 38 years. and have three children and three grandchildren.

Fraser is the founder and former chief development officer of Pal- Ex Inc., an international, publicly traded company and the United States' largest manufacturer of wooden pallets. Pal-Ex's predecessor, Fraser Industries, began as a small family operation before expanding to one of the largest pallet manufacturers and recyclers in the country.

"As a former business owner and resident of a small town, I understand what it takes to be successful," Fraser said.

"I want to use that knowledge to benefit the residents of District 24 as we debate legislation in the Texas Senate."