In 2020, Shelley Luther gained national attention for defying COVID-19 shutdowns and being jailed for keeping her salon open. In 2023, she faced a near-fatal brain aneurysm. Now, in just a couple of weeks, Luther will be sworn into the Texas House of Representatives.
Luther, who had previously run for office twice, said the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton became a major motivating factor in her latest campaign.
“I was at home sick for several months, recovering and going through physical and speech therapy,” Luther said. “One day, I heard my husband listening to the Paxton impeachment proceedings. When he told me what was going on, I started researching it, and it pissed me off. It got me back into wanting to do something again. That’s what thrust me back into politics.”
Luther believes the impeachment proceedings also played a significant role in her victory over State Rep. Reggie Smith, whose family has deep roots in the district.
“The Paxton impeachment opened the doors for people to start listening. Reggie’s family has been here for five generations, so it was hard to get people to hear me out about his voting record. But once people found out about his role in the impeachment and his voting record, it became a big deal.”
As Luther prepares for her first legislative session, she has emphasized the need to reform the Texas House, particularly concerning the role of Democrats in the speaker selection process.
“We need overall reform and to stop involving Democrats in our speaker race before the Republican caucus vote is done,” she said. “Relying on Democrats to elect our speakers is a big mistake.”
Luther says she plans to focus heavily on legislation that addresses the needs of her North Texas district.
“A lot of my focus is on issues impacting my district, like a cement kiln bill that’s important to my community in Grayson County,” she explained. “I’m also planning to file a bill against vaccine advertising when manufacturers aren’t liable for their effects. And of course, I’m fully on board with advancing Republican priorities.”
When asked how she plans to hold herself accountable in office, Luther pointed to her conservative hires, her family, and her faith.
“I told my constituents, you can hold me accountable. But I always look to God when I’m looking to do the right thing. That’s the first person I look to,” she said.
