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| resting_place =
| resting_place =
| residence = [[Missouri City, Texas]], U.S.
| residence = [[Missouri City, Texas]], U.S.
| profession = Politician
| occupation = {{hlist|Politician|judge|professor}}
| spouse = Jonita Wallace
| spouse = Jonita Wallace
| children = 3<ref name=kids>{{cite news|title=DISTRICT 26 State Rep. – David Hamilton (Republican), Ron Reynolds (Democrat)|url=http://www.fortbendstar.com/2014/10/28/district-26-state-rep-david-hamilton-republican-ron-reynolds-democrat/|access-date=13 December 2014|website=[[Fort Bend Star]]|date=October 28, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104171827/https://www.fortbendstar.com/2014/10/28/district-26-state-rep-david-hamilton-republican-ron-reynolds-democrat|archive-date=January 4, 2015}}</ref>
| children = 3<ref name=kids>{{cite news|title=DISTRICT 26 State Rep. – David Hamilton (Republican), Ron Reynolds (Democrat)|url=http://www.fortbendstar.com/2014/10/28/district-26-state-rep-david-hamilton-republican-ron-reynolds-democrat/|access-date=13 December 2014|website=[[Fort Bend Star]]|date=October 28, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104171827/https://www.fortbendstar.com/2014/10/28/district-26-state-rep-david-hamilton-republican-ron-reynolds-democrat|archive-date=January 4, 2015}}</ref>
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'''Ronald Eugene Reynolds''' (born September 18, 1973) is an American politician and [[Disbarment|disbarred]]<ref name=Bar>{{cite web|url=https://www.texasbar.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Find_A_Lawyer&template=/Customsource/MemberDirectory/MemberDirectoryDetail.cfm&ContactID=203318|title=Mr. Ronald Eugene 'Ronald' Reynolds|website=[[State Bar of Texas]]|accessdate=July 2, 2024}}</ref> lawyer who represents [[Texas's 27th House of Representatives district|District 27]] in the [[Texas House of Representatives]]. He was first elected in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lrl.state.tx.us/legeLeaders/members/memberDisplay.cfm?memberID=5686|title=Ron Reynolds|website=Legislative Reference Library of Texas|access-date=December 12, 2014}}</ref> Reynolds is the first [[African Americans|African American]] elected to represent [[Fort Bend County, Texas|Fort Bend County]] in the Texas House of Representatives since the [[Reconstruction era]].<ref name=Greenwich>{{Cite web |last=Goldenstein |first=Taylor |date=August 8, 2019|title=State Rep. Ron Reynolds is disbarred months after jail release |url=https://www.greenwichtime.com/politics/texas/article/State-Rep-Ron-Reynolds-is-disbarred-months-after-14291548.php |access-date=January 2, 2024 |website=[[Greenwich Time (newspaper)|Greenwich Time]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
'''Ronald Eugene Reynolds''' (born September 18, 1973) is an American politician and [[Disbarment|disbarred]] lawyer<ref name=Bar>{{cite web|url=https://www.texasbar.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Find_A_Lawyer&template=/Customsource/MemberDirectory/MemberDirectoryDetail.cfm&ContactID=203318|title=Mr. Ronald Eugene 'Ronald' Reynolds|website=[[State Bar of Texas]]|accessdate=July 2, 2024}}</ref> who represents [[Texas's 27th House of Representatives district|District 27]] in the [[Texas House of Representatives]]. He was first elected in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lrl.state.tx.us/legeLeaders/members/memberDisplay.cfm?memberID=5686|title=Ron Reynolds|website=Legislative Reference Library of Texas|access-date=December 12, 2014}}</ref> Reynolds is the first [[African Americans|African American]] elected to represent [[Fort Bend County, Texas|Fort Bend County]] in the Texas House of Representatives since the [[Reconstruction era]].<ref name=Greenwich>{{Cite web |last=Goldenstein |first=Taylor |date=August 8, 2019|title=State Rep. Ron Reynolds is disbarred months after jail release |url=https://www.greenwichtime.com/politics/texas/article/State-Rep-Ron-Reynolds-is-disbarred-months-after-14291548.php |access-date=January 2, 2024 |website=[[Greenwich Time (newspaper)|Greenwich Time]] |language=en-US}}</ref>


Reynolds was an attorney in private practice with the Brown, Brown & Reynolds law firm. He has served as a Houston Associate Municipal Judge and was the president of the Houston Lawyers Association and president of the [[Missouri City, Texas|Missouri City]] & Vicinity [[National Association for the Advancement of Colored People]] (NAACP).<ref name="House bio">{{cite web|title=Rep. Reynolds, Ron District 27|url=https://house.texas.gov/members/member-page/?district=27|website=Texas House of Representatives|access-date=July 2, 2024}}</ref> Currently, he is a National Board Member of the NAACP.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://naacp.org/people/rep-ronald-reynolds|title=Rep. Ronald Reynolds|website=[[National Association for the Advancement of Colored People]]|access-date=July 2, 2024}}</ref> He is also a principal at Civitas Engineering and Group Vice President of Business Development.
Reynolds was a managing partner and attorney in private practice with the Brown, Brown & Reynolds law firm. He was an [[adjunct professors in North America|adjunct professor]] at [[Texas Southern University]], a Houston Associate Municipal Judge, and was the president of the Houston Lawyers Association and president of the [[Missouri City, Texas|Missouri City]] & Vicinity [[National Association for the Advancement of Colored People]] (NAACP).<ref name="House bio">{{cite web|title=Rep. Reynolds, Ron District 27|url=https://house.texas.gov/members/member-page/?district=27|website=Texas House of Representatives|access-date=July 2, 2024}}</ref> Currently, he is a National Board Member of the NAACP.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://naacp.org/people/rep-ronald-reynolds|title=Rep. Ronald Reynolds|website=[[National Association for the Advancement of Colored People]]|access-date=July 2, 2024}}</ref> He is also a principal at Civitas Engineering and Group Vice President of Business Development.


One day after U.S. President [[Joe Biden]]'s performance in the [[2024 United States presidential debates#June 27 presidential debate (Atlanta)|June 27, 2024, presidential debate]], Reynolds became one of the first [[Democratic party (United States)|Democratic]] politicians to call for Biden to be replaced at the [[2024 Democratic National Convention]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.khou.com/article/news/politics/ron-reynolds-president-biden-democratic-party-nomination/285-5e974444-3093-4de2-8519-ed55e53084ca|title=Houston-area lawmaker among first to call for President Biden to be replaced at convention|date=June 28, 2024|website=[[KHOU]]|access-date=July 2, 2024}}</ref>
One day after U.S. President [[Joe Biden]]'s performance in the [[2024 United States presidential debates#June 27 presidential debate (Atlanta)|June 27, 2024, presidential debate]], Reynolds became one of the first [[Democratic party (United States)|Democratic]] politicians to call for Biden to be replaced at the [[2024 Democratic National Convention]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.khou.com/article/news/politics/ron-reynolds-president-biden-democratic-party-nomination/285-5e974444-3093-4de2-8519-ed55e53084ca|title=Houston-area lawmaker among first to call for President Biden to be replaced at convention|date=June 28, 2024|website=[[KHOU]]|access-date=July 2, 2024}}</ref>


== Education ==
== Education ==
Reynolds went to [[Texas Southern University]] and graduated in 1996 with a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in public affairs. He then attended [[Texas Tech University School of Law]], graduating in 1999, with a [[Juris Doctor]] degree.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.txdirectory.com/online/person/?id=39628&office=16799|title =Rep. Ron Reynolds (D)|website=Texas State Directory Online}}</ref> He is a recipient of three [[Honorary Doctorate]]'s, Doctor of [[Humanities]] from Trinity International University of Ambassadors, [[Doctor of Philosophy]] in [[Humanitarianism]] and a Doctorate of Divinity from Pendleton Chapel Seminary.<ref name="House bio"/>
Reynolds attended Texas Southern University and graduated in 1996 with a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in public affairs. He then attended [[Texas Tech University School of Law]], graduating in 1999, with a [[Juris Doctor]] degree.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.txdirectory.com/online/person/?id=39628&office=16799|title =Rep. Ron Reynolds (D)|website=Texas State Directory Online}}</ref> He is a recipient of three [[Honorary Doctorate]]'s, Doctor of [[Humanities]] from Trinity International University of Ambassadors, [[Doctor of Philosophy]] in [[Humanitarianism]] and a Doctorate of Divinity from Pendleton Chapel Seminary.<ref name="House bio"/>


== Political career ==
== Political career ==
Reynolds first vied in the [[2008 Democratic Party presidential primaries|Democratic party primary]] elections for the representative of [[Richmond, Texas]] in 2008 against the incumbent, [[Dora Olivo]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Texas Consultants Power Rankings Score |url=https://capitolinside.com/consultants2008.htm |access-date=November 7, 2023|website=Mike Hailey's Capitol Inside}}</ref> Reynolds garnered 14,634 votes (49.7%) to Olivo's 14,821 (50.3%). In 2010, he vied in the Democratic primaries again and unseated Olivo after polling 5,158 (57.6%) to 3,791 (42.4%).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramshaw |first=Emily |date=March 4, 2010 |title=Surprise! |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2010/03/04/how-the-2010-texas-primary-races-turned-out |access-date=November 7, 2023 |website=The Texas Tribune |language=en}}</ref> In the same year's [[General election|general elections]], he beat Derek Dean Grayson of the [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian Party]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Ron Reynolds |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Ron_Reynolds |access-date=November 7, 2023 |website=Ballotpedia |language=en}}</ref> He was sworn in on 10 January 2011 as State Representative, House District 27.<ref name="House bio"/>
Reynolds first vied in the [[2008 Texas House of Representatives election|2008 Texas House of Representatives]] Democratic party primary election for [[Texas's 27th House of Representatives district|District 27]], against the incumbent, [[Dora Olivo]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Texas Consultants Power Rankings Score |url=https://capitolinside.com/consultants2008.htm |access-date=November 7, 2023|website=Mike Hailey's Capitol Inside}}</ref> During his campaign, the [[Texas Ethics Commission]] terminated his campaign treasurer. Reynolds afterwards continued to raise and spend campaign funds, although the Texas Election Code prohibits candidates from doing so until a campaign treasurer report is filed with the Texas Ethics Commission. He hired a new campaign treasurer six months after his initial treasurer was removed.<ref name=Record>{{cite news|last=Tennissen|first=Marilyn|url=https://setexasrecord.com/stories/510618450-texas-state-rep-named-freshman-of-the-year-jailed-on-barratry-charges|title=Texas state rep. named 'Freshman of the Year' jailed on barratry charges|date=April 25, 2012|website=Southeast Texas Record}}</ref> Reynolds garnered 14,634 votes (49.7%) to Olivo's 14,821 (50.3%). In 2010, he vied in the Democratic primaries again and unseated Olivo after polling 5,158 (57.6%) to 3,791 (42.4%).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramshaw |first=Emily |date=March 4, 2010 |title=Surprise! |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2010/03/04/how-the-2010-texas-primary-races-turned-out |access-date=November 7, 2023 |website=[[The Texas Tribune]] |language=en}}</ref> In the same year's [[General election|general elections]], he beat Derek Dean Grayson of the [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian Party]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Ron Reynolds |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Ron_Reynolds |access-date=November 7, 2023 |website=Ballotpedia |language=en}}</ref> He was sworn in on 10 January 2011 as State Representative, House District 27.<ref name="House bio"/>


In 2012, he ran unopposed in the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] primaries and won re-election with 69% of the votes in the general elections.<ref name=":0"/> Reynolds was elected for a third term during the 2014 general elections after polling 24,326 (67%) against David Wayne Hamilton's 11,990.<ref name=":0"/> During the Democratic primaries in 2018, he beat his opponent Wilvin Carter with 61.37%. He won the general elections unopposed as the republican party did not field a candidate.<ref>{{Cite news|last=McCullough|first=Jolie|date=November 7, 2018 |title=State Rep. Ron Reynolds wins re-election from Montgomery County jail cell |url=https://www.khou.com/article/news/politics/elections/state-rep-ron-reynolds-wins-re-election-from-montgomery-county-jail-cell/285-612216387 |access-date=November 7, 2023|website=KHOU |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2012, he ran unopposed in the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] primaries and won re-election with 69% of the votes in the general elections.<ref name=":0"/> Reynolds was elected for a third term during the 2014 general elections after polling 24,326 (67%) against David Wayne Hamilton's 11,990.<ref name=":0"/> During the Democratic primaries in 2018, he beat his opponent Wilvin Carter with 61.37%. He won the general elections unopposed as the republican party did not field a candidate.<ref>{{Cite news|last=McCullough|first=Jolie|date=November 7, 2018 |title=State Rep. Ron Reynolds wins re-election from Montgomery County jail cell |url=https://www.khou.com/article/news/politics/elections/state-rep-ron-reynolds-wins-re-election-from-montgomery-county-jail-cell/285-612216387 |access-date=November 7, 2023|website=KHOU |language=en-US}}</ref>


During the 2020 primaries, general elections, he defeated Tom Virippan to win re-election.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shoop |first=Claire |date=March 3, 2020|title=Updated: Democratic State Rep. Ron Reynolds, Republican Tom Virippan to compete in general election for Texas House District 27 |url=https://communityimpact.com/houston/sugar-land-missouri-city/election-texas-2020-primary/2020/03/03/after-early-voting-incumbent-state-rep-ron-reynolds-leads-democratic-primary-for-texas-house-district-27-tom-virippan-ahead-for-republicans |access-date=November 7, 2023 |website=Community Impact |language=English}}</ref> In 2021, he founded the Texas House Progressive Caucus and in 2022, he polled 70.3% of the votes to beat the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican party]] candidate, Sohrab Gilani.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Texas Rep. Ron Reynolds|url=https://www.texastribune.org/directory/ron-reynolds|access-date=November 7, 2023 |website=The Texas Tribune |language=en}}</ref> Reynolds was elected Chair of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus in August 2022.<ref name="House bio"/> He led the charge to form the first-ever Texas [[Historically Black Colleges and Universities]] (HBCU) Legislative [[Caucus]] in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=HBCU Students and Texas State Representative Ron Reynolds Lead Charge in Forming First-Ever Texas HBCU Legislative Caucus |url=https://htu.edu/hbcu-students-and-texas-state-representative-ron-reynolds-lead-charge-in-forming-first-ever-texas-hbcu-legislative-caucus|access-date=November 11, 2023|website=[[Huston–Tillotson University]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
During the 2020 primaries, general elections, he defeated Tom Virippan to win re-election.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shoop |first=Claire |date=March 3, 2020|title=Updated: Democratic State Rep. Ron Reynolds, Republican Tom Virippan to compete in general election for Texas House District 27 |url=https://communityimpact.com/houston/sugar-land-missouri-city/election-texas-2020-primary/2020/03/03/after-early-voting-incumbent-state-rep-ron-reynolds-leads-democratic-primary-for-texas-house-district-27-tom-virippan-ahead-for-republicans |access-date=November 7, 2023 |website=Community Impact |language=English}}</ref> In 2021, he founded the Texas House Progressive [[Caucus]] and in 2022, he polled 70.3% of the votes to beat the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican party]] candidate, Sohrab Gilani.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Texas Rep. Ron Reynolds|url=https://www.texastribune.org/directory/ron-reynolds|access-date=November 7, 2023 |website=The Texas Tribune |language=en}}</ref> Reynolds was elected Chair of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus in August 2022.<ref name="House bio"/> He led the charge to form the first-ever Texas [[Historically Black Colleges and Universities]] (HBCU) Legislative Caucus in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=HBCU Students and Texas State Representative Ron Reynolds Lead Charge in Forming First-Ever Texas HBCU Legislative Caucus |url=https://htu.edu/hbcu-students-and-texas-state-representative-ron-reynolds-lead-charge-in-forming-first-ever-texas-hbcu-legislative-caucus|access-date=November 11, 2023|website=[[Huston–Tillotson University]] |language=en-US}}</ref>


== Awards and honors ==
== Awards and honors ==
Reynolds has been awarded with [[Equal Employment Opportunity Commission|EEOC Civil Rights All Star Award]], [[American Red Cross|American Red Cross Humanitarian Award]], two-time recipient of the Houston Black Chamber of Commerce Pinnacle Award, recognition in Who's Who in Black Houston, designation as Houston's Top Lawyer by HTexas Magazine, receipt of the Missouri City Juneteenth Community Service Award, Houston's Top 40 Leaders Under 40, and the DMARS Business Journal Top Lawyer & Public Servant Award.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 17, 2023 |title=Ron Reynolds|url=https://texasblackexpo.com/about/ron-reynolds |access-date=January 2, 2024 |website=Texas Black Expo |language=en-US}}</ref> He was voted by his House colleagues as Freshman Legislator of the Year and Public Servant of the Year by the Houston Minority Contractors Association.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 6, 2013 |title=State Rep. Ron Reynolds named House Democratic Whip |url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/sugarland/news/article/State-Rep-Ron-Reynolds-named-House-Democratic-9527218.php|website=Houston Chronicle}}</ref>
Reynolds has been awarded with [[Equal Employment Opportunity Commission|EEOC Civil Rights All Star Award]], [[American Red Cross|American Red Cross Humanitarian Award]], two-time recipient of the Houston Black Chamber of Commerce Pinnacle Award, recognition in Who's Who in Black Houston, designation as Houston's Top Lawyer by HTexas Magazine, receipt of the Missouri City Juneteenth Community Service Award, Houston's Top 40 Leaders Under 40, and the DMARS Business Journal Top Lawyer & Public Servant Award.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 17, 2023 |title=Ron Reynolds|url=https://texasblackexpo.com/about/ron-reynolds |access-date=January 2, 2024 |website=Texas Black Expo |language=en-US}}</ref> He was voted by the House Democratic Caucus as Freshman Legislator of the Year in 2011<ref name=Record/> and was named Public Servant of the Year by the Houston Minority Contractors Association.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 6, 2013 |title=State Rep. Ron Reynolds named House Democratic Whip |url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/sugarland/news/article/State-Rep-Ron-Reynolds-named-House-Democratic-9527218.php|website=[[Houston Chronicle]]}}</ref>


He has also received American Red Cross Humanitarian Award, YMCA Minority Achievers Award, NAACP Drum Major for Justice Award, MLK Drum Major For Justice Award, NAACP ALEX Award for Legal Excellence and Texas Association of African American Chamber of Commerce Legislator of the Year Award.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ron Reynolds plans to seek re-election |url=https://fbindependent.com/ron-reynolds-plans-to-seek-reelection-p8948-91.htm |access-date=December 22, 2023|date=September 16, 2015|website=Fort Bend Independent}}</ref> He received Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award under both President [[Barack Obama]] and Joe Biden.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 12, 2022 |title=Leaders Esteem Christian Bible University Presents Honorary Doctorate Graduation & Second Annual Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award Ceremony in Houston, Texas – December 4, 2022 |url=https://lastylemix.com/2022/11/12/leaders-esteem-christian-bible-university-presents-honorary-doctorate-graduation-second-annual-presidential-lifetime-achievement-award-ceremony-in-houston-texas-december-4-2022 |access-date=November 7, 2023|website=LA Style Mix |language=en-US}}</ref>
He has also received American Red Cross Humanitarian Award, YMCA Minority Achievers Award, NAACP Drum Major for Justice Award, MLK Drum Major For Justice Award, NAACP ALEX Award for Legal Excellence and Texas Association of African American Chamber of Commerce Legislator of the Year Award.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ron Reynolds plans to seek re-election |url=https://fbindependent.com/ron-reynolds-plans-to-seek-reelection-p8948-91.htm |access-date=December 22, 2023|date=September 16, 2015|website=Fort Bend Independent}}</ref> He received Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award under both President [[Barack Obama]] and Joe Biden.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 12, 2022 |title=Leaders Esteem Christian Bible University Presents Honorary Doctorate Graduation & Second Annual Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award Ceremony in Houston, Texas – December 4, 2022 |url=https://lastylemix.com/2022/11/12/leaders-esteem-christian-bible-university-presents-honorary-doctorate-graduation-second-annual-presidential-lifetime-achievement-award-ceremony-in-houston-texas-december-4-2022 |access-date=November 7, 2023|website=LA Style Mix |language=en-US}}</ref>


== Conviction ==
== Conviction ==
He was first charged in 2013 in a scheme with eight other attorneys to pay a [[Felony|convicted felon]] to look through [[Houston police]] accident reports for potential clients. He was convicted of misdemeanor barratry in a 2014 trial.<ref name=Greenwich/>
He was first charged in 2013 in a scheme with eight other attorneys to pay a [[Felony|convicted felon]] to look through [[Houston police]] accident reports for potential clients. He was convicted of misdemeanor [[Barratry (common law)|barratry]] in a 2014 trial.<ref name=Greenwich/>
In November 2015, Reynolds was convicted on multiple misdemeanor counts under Texas' Barratry & Solicitation of Professional Employment statute. He was fined and sentenced to 365 days (a year) in county jail. On May 23, 2018, the [[Texas Court of Criminal Appeals]] refused Reynold's appeal, meaning he will need to serve his year-long jail sentence. Since he was convicted of a misdemeanor, he continued to hold office during his jail sentence and was released in January 2019 after serving four months of a one year jail sentence.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McCullough |first1=Jolie |title=State Rep. Ron Reynolds turns himself in to serve year-long jail sentence |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2018/09/07/state-rep-ron-reynolds-turns-himself-begin-serving-year-long-jail-sent/#:~:text=Reynolds%2C%20a%20Democrat%20from%20Missouri,wound%20through%20the%20appeals%20process. |website=[[The Texas Tribune]] |language=en |date=September 7, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Barr|first=Jody|title=TX lawmaker who won re-election from jail cell stripped of law license |url=https://www.kxan.com/investigations/tx-lawmaker-who-won-re-election-from-jail-cell-stripped-of-law-license|date=August 8, 2019|website=[[KXAN-TV]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Goldenstein |first1=Taylor |title=State Rep. Ron Reynolds is disbarred months after jail release |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/State-Rep-Ron-Reynolds-is-disbarred-months-after-14291548.php |website=[[Houston Chronicle]] |date=August 8, 2019|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Gill |first1=Julian |last2=Scherer |first2=Jasper |title=State Rep. Ron Reynolds released from Montgomery Co. Jail after serving nearly 4 months |url=https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/State-Rep-Ron-Reynolds-released-from-Montgomery-13508164.php |website=[[Houston Chronicle]] |date=January 4, 2019|language=en}}</ref> He was formally disbarred by the [[State Bar of Texas]] on July 29, 2019, after having been in an [[interlocutory]] suspension for 2 years and 2 months.<ref name=Bar/> He had previously been sanctioned by the agency twice before, in 2005 and 2006.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jordan|first=Jay R.|url=https://www.yourconroenews.com/neighborhood/moco/news/article/State-Rep-Reynolds-barred-from-practicing-law-on-9506995.php|title=State Rep. Reynolds barred from practicing law on appeal bond|website=[[The Courier (Conroe newspaper)|The Courier]]|date=November 24, 2015}}</ref>
In November 2015, Reynolds was convicted on multiple misdemeanor counts under Texas' Barratry & Solicitation of Professional Employment statute. He was fined and sentenced to 365 days (a year) in county jail. On May 23, 2018, the [[Texas Court of Criminal Appeals]] refused Reynold's appeal, meaning he will need to serve his year-long jail sentence. Since he was convicted of a misdemeanor, he continued to hold office during his jail sentence and was released in January 2019 after serving four months of a one year jail sentence.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McCullough |first1=Jolie |title=State Rep. Ron Reynolds turns himself in to serve year-long jail sentence |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2018/09/07/state-rep-ron-reynolds-turns-himself-begin-serving-year-long-jail-sent/#:~:text=Reynolds%2C%20a%20Democrat%20from%20Missouri,wound%20through%20the%20appeals%20process. |website=The Texas Tribune |language=en |date=September 7, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Barr|first=Jody|title=TX lawmaker who won re-election from jail cell stripped of law license |url=https://www.kxan.com/investigations/tx-lawmaker-who-won-re-election-from-jail-cell-stripped-of-law-license|date=August 8, 2019|website=[[KXAN-TV]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Goldenstein |first1=Taylor |title=State Rep. Ron Reynolds is disbarred months after jail release |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/State-Rep-Ron-Reynolds-is-disbarred-months-after-14291548.php |website=Houston Chronicle|date=August 8, 2019|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Gill |first1=Julian |last2=Scherer |first2=Jasper |title=State Rep. Ron Reynolds released from Montgomery Co. Jail after serving nearly 4 months |url=https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/State-Rep-Ron-Reynolds-released-from-Montgomery-13508164.php |website=Houston Chronicle|date=January 4, 2019|language=en}}</ref> He was formally disbarred by the [[State Bar of Texas]] on July 29, 2019, after having been in an [[interlocutory]] suspension for 2 years and 2 months.<ref name=Bar/> He had previously been sanctioned by the agency twice before, in 2005 and 2006.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jordan|first=Jay R.|url=https://www.yourconroenews.com/neighborhood/moco/news/article/State-Rep-Reynolds-barred-from-practicing-law-on-9506995.php|title=State Rep. Reynolds barred from practicing law on appeal bond|website=[[The Courier (Conroe newspaper)|The Courier]]|date=November 24, 2015}}</ref> He had also been fined $10,000.00 by the Texas Ethics Commission for refusing to file legally-required financial disclosure statements.<ref name=Record/>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 15:00, 3 July 2024

Ron Reynolds
Reynolds in 2021
Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from the 27th district
Assumed office
January 11, 2011
Preceded byDora Olivo
Personal details
Born
Ronald Eugene Reynolds

(1973-09-18) September 18, 1973 (age 50)
Jackson, Tennessee, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseJonita Wallace
Children3[1]
Residence(s)Missouri City, Texas, U.S.
EducationTexas Southern University (BS)
Texas Tech University School of Law (JD)
Occupation
  • Politician
  • judge
  • professor

Ronald Eugene Reynolds (born September 18, 1973) is an American politician and disbarred lawyer[2] who represents District 27 in the Texas House of Representatives. He was first elected in 2010.[3] Reynolds is the first African American elected to represent Fort Bend County in the Texas House of Representatives since the Reconstruction era.[4]

Reynolds was a managing partner and attorney in private practice with the Brown, Brown & Reynolds law firm. He was an adjunct professor at Texas Southern University, a Houston Associate Municipal Judge, and was the president of the Houston Lawyers Association and president of the Missouri City & Vicinity National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).[5] Currently, he is a National Board Member of the NAACP.[6] He is also a principal at Civitas Engineering and Group Vice President of Business Development.

One day after U.S. President Joe Biden's performance in the June 27, 2024, presidential debate, Reynolds became one of the first Democratic politicians to call for Biden to be replaced at the 2024 Democratic National Convention.[7]

Education

Reynolds attended Texas Southern University and graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in public affairs. He then attended Texas Tech University School of Law, graduating in 1999, with a Juris Doctor degree.[8] He is a recipient of three Honorary Doctorate's, Doctor of Humanities from Trinity International University of Ambassadors, Doctor of Philosophy in Humanitarianism and a Doctorate of Divinity from Pendleton Chapel Seminary.[5]

Political career

Reynolds first vied in the 2008 Texas House of Representatives Democratic party primary election for District 27, against the incumbent, Dora Olivo.[9] During his campaign, the Texas Ethics Commission terminated his campaign treasurer. Reynolds afterwards continued to raise and spend campaign funds, although the Texas Election Code prohibits candidates from doing so until a campaign treasurer report is filed with the Texas Ethics Commission. He hired a new campaign treasurer six months after his initial treasurer was removed.[10] Reynolds garnered 14,634 votes (49.7%) to Olivo's 14,821 (50.3%). In 2010, he vied in the Democratic primaries again and unseated Olivo after polling 5,158 (57.6%) to 3,791 (42.4%).[11] In the same year's general elections, he beat Derek Dean Grayson of the Libertarian Party.[12] He was sworn in on 10 January 2011 as State Representative, House District 27.[5]

In 2012, he ran unopposed in the Democratic Party primaries and won re-election with 69% of the votes in the general elections.[12] Reynolds was elected for a third term during the 2014 general elections after polling 24,326 (67%) against David Wayne Hamilton's 11,990.[12] During the Democratic primaries in 2018, he beat his opponent Wilvin Carter with 61.37%. He won the general elections unopposed as the republican party did not field a candidate.[13]

During the 2020 primaries, general elections, he defeated Tom Virippan to win re-election.[14] In 2021, he founded the Texas House Progressive Caucus and in 2022, he polled 70.3% of the votes to beat the Republican party candidate, Sohrab Gilani.[15] Reynolds was elected Chair of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus in August 2022.[5] He led the charge to form the first-ever Texas Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Legislative Caucus in 2023.[16]

Awards and honors

Reynolds has been awarded with EEOC Civil Rights All Star Award, American Red Cross Humanitarian Award, two-time recipient of the Houston Black Chamber of Commerce Pinnacle Award, recognition in Who's Who in Black Houston, designation as Houston's Top Lawyer by HTexas Magazine, receipt of the Missouri City Juneteenth Community Service Award, Houston's Top 40 Leaders Under 40, and the DMARS Business Journal Top Lawyer & Public Servant Award.[17] He was voted by the House Democratic Caucus as Freshman Legislator of the Year in 2011[10] and was named Public Servant of the Year by the Houston Minority Contractors Association.[18]

He has also received American Red Cross Humanitarian Award, YMCA Minority Achievers Award, NAACP Drum Major for Justice Award, MLK Drum Major For Justice Award, NAACP ALEX Award for Legal Excellence and Texas Association of African American Chamber of Commerce Legislator of the Year Award.[19] He received Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award under both President Barack Obama and Joe Biden.[20]

Conviction

He was first charged in 2013 in a scheme with eight other attorneys to pay a convicted felon to look through Houston police accident reports for potential clients. He was convicted of misdemeanor barratry in a 2014 trial.[4] In November 2015, Reynolds was convicted on multiple misdemeanor counts under Texas' Barratry & Solicitation of Professional Employment statute. He was fined and sentenced to 365 days (a year) in county jail. On May 23, 2018, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals refused Reynold's appeal, meaning he will need to serve his year-long jail sentence. Since he was convicted of a misdemeanor, he continued to hold office during his jail sentence and was released in January 2019 after serving four months of a one year jail sentence.[21][22][23][24] He was formally disbarred by the State Bar of Texas on July 29, 2019, after having been in an interlocutory suspension for 2 years and 2 months.[2] He had previously been sanctioned by the agency twice before, in 2005 and 2006.[25] He had also been fined $10,000.00 by the Texas Ethics Commission for refusing to file legally-required financial disclosure statements.[10]

References

  1. ^ "DISTRICT 26 State Rep. – David Hamilton (Republican), Ron Reynolds (Democrat)". Fort Bend Star. October 28, 2014. Archived from the original on January 4, 2015. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Mr. Ronald Eugene 'Ronald' Reynolds". State Bar of Texas. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  3. ^ "Ron Reynolds". Legislative Reference Library of Texas. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  4. ^ a b Goldenstein, Taylor (August 8, 2019). "State Rep. Ron Reynolds is disbarred months after jail release". Greenwich Time. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d "Rep. Reynolds, Ron District 27". Texas House of Representatives. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  6. ^ "Rep. Ronald Reynolds". National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  7. ^ "Houston-area lawmaker among first to call for President Biden to be replaced at convention". KHOU. June 28, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  8. ^ "Rep. Ron Reynolds (D)". Texas State Directory Online.
  9. ^ "Texas Consultants Power Rankings Score". Mike Hailey's Capitol Inside. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  10. ^ a b c Tennissen, Marilyn (April 25, 2012). "Texas state rep. named 'Freshman of the Year' jailed on barratry charges". Southeast Texas Record.
  11. ^ Ramshaw, Emily (March 4, 2010). "Surprise!". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  12. ^ a b c "Ron Reynolds". Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  13. ^ McCullough, Jolie (November 7, 2018). "State Rep. Ron Reynolds wins re-election from Montgomery County jail cell". KHOU. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  14. ^ Shoop, Claire (March 3, 2020). "Updated: Democratic State Rep. Ron Reynolds, Republican Tom Virippan to compete in general election for Texas House District 27". Community Impact. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  15. ^ "Texas Rep. Ron Reynolds". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  16. ^ "HBCU Students and Texas State Representative Ron Reynolds Lead Charge in Forming First-Ever Texas HBCU Legislative Caucus". Huston–Tillotson University. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  17. ^ "Ron Reynolds". Texas Black Expo. November 17, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  18. ^ "State Rep. Ron Reynolds named House Democratic Whip". Houston Chronicle. February 6, 2013.
  19. ^ "Ron Reynolds plans to seek re-election". Fort Bend Independent. September 16, 2015. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  20. ^ "Leaders Esteem Christian Bible University Presents Honorary Doctorate Graduation & Second Annual Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award Ceremony in Houston, Texas – December 4, 2022". LA Style Mix. November 12, 2022. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  21. ^ McCullough, Jolie (September 7, 2018). "State Rep. Ron Reynolds turns himself in to serve year-long jail sentence". The Texas Tribune.
  22. ^ Barr, Jody (August 8, 2019). "TX lawmaker who won re-election from jail cell stripped of law license". KXAN-TV.
  23. ^ Goldenstein, Taylor (August 8, 2019). "State Rep. Ron Reynolds is disbarred months after jail release". Houston Chronicle.
  24. ^ Gill, Julian; Scherer, Jasper (January 4, 2019). "State Rep. Ron Reynolds released from Montgomery Co. Jail after serving nearly 4 months". Houston Chronicle.
  25. ^ Jordan, Jay R. (November 24, 2015). "State Rep. Reynolds barred from practicing law on appeal bond". The Courier.
Texas House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the
Texas House of Representatives
from District 27 (Missouri City)
2011– 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
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