Wes Virdell spent seven years in the Air Force, then came home to run his own trucking business before becoming Texas's top gun-rights advocate and, eventually, a state lawmaker.
Born in Brownwood and raised in Brady, Virdell served in the U.S. Air Force from 2001 to 2008, later owned a trucking company, and worked as Texas state director for Gun Owners of America before winning Texas House District 53 in 2024 with 76% of the vote. He's now seeking reelection after a first term focused on gun rights, energy policy, and opposition to abortion.
Virdell’s take on Texas values
Virdell voted no on the 2025 statewide private-school voucher bill, which set aside $1 billion for private-school tuition accounts. [Texas Classroom Teachers Association; Texas Tribune]