Though Wes Virdell will be sworn in as a House member next month, he’s no stranger to Texas politics.
As the former state director for Gun Owners of America, Virdell decided to challenge State Rep. Andrew Murr for a sizable district in West Texas. His decision was driven largely by frustration with the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton and a broader dissatisfaction with the state’s political culture.
“This year, it had to do with watching a group of Republicans go after our most conservative Attorney General, Ken Paxton,” Virdell explained. “There were other issues too, but that was predominantly the main one. We had a border bill that didn’t make it through when it should have, and Republicans who should have stepped up to challenge a point of order didn’t do it. The impeachment process was pretty frustrating.”
After Virdell launched his campaign, Murr opted to retire following unfavorable polling in his district.
Virdell believes fixing the culture in the Texas House is critical, emphasizing that Republican legislators must recognize their majority status and ensure their party controls committee chairmanships.
“The culture right now is broken,” he said. “We have people who go to Austin and lose their way. It’s easy to see how people become corrupted. You get treated differently as a state representative, and it creates a false ego or confidence. People forget they need to stand up for things and can easily lose sight of their mission.”
As he transitions into public office, Virdell acknowledged the steep learning curve, describing the process as “like drinking from a fire hose.” He highlighted the challenge of navigating complex legislative issues beyond his professional expertise.
“I’m not a banker, a doctor, or a lawyer, so I’m learning about topics outside my skill set,” Virdell said. “The real challenge is managing roughly 4,000 votes during a session, ensuring you have a great team and trusted organizations tracking bills so you can make informed decisions.”
Among his proposals filed so far is House Bill 1379, which would restrict game wardens from entering private property without probable cause.
“Game wardens have almost more authority than anyone else,” he said. “This bill would ensure they can’t enter private property unless they meet the same standards required of other law enforcement.”
He has also filed a bill allowing paralegal experience to substitute for the current two-year law school requirement to sit for the bar exam, calling it an effort to challenge traditional barriers and encourage innovation.
“That one’s already getting attention,” he said. “I’m sure the Bar isn’t too happy about it.”
When asked how he plans to hold himself accountable, Virdell credited his strong support system, including a qualified team and his wife, for keeping him grounded.
“Having a great team that knows their way around the Capitol is crucial,” he said. “And, of course, my wife is always there to remind me that I’m not perfect.”
