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 {{Infobox Officeholder

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'''James Wallace Dean''', known as '''Jay Dean''' (born March 5, 1953),<ref name=familytree>{{cite web|url=http://www.familytreenow.com/records/people/dean/kate/kdrckfdztrevxictgu0v6g|title=Katie Dean (February 1982)|publisher=familytreenow.com|accessdate=April 5, 2016}}</ref> is a former [[mayor]] of [[Longview, Texas|Longview]], [[Texas]], who is a [[Republican Party|Republican]] member of the Texas House of Representatives for District 7, which encompasses Gregg and Upshur counties. He succeeded another Republican, David Simpson, who left the House to run instead unsuccessfully for the Texas State Senate for the seat vacated by Kevin Eltife.  

'''James Wallace Dean''', known as '''Jay Dean''' (born March 5, 1953),<ref name=familytree>{{cite web|url=http://www.familytreenow.com/records/people/dean/kate/kdrckfdztrevxictgu0v6g|title=Katie Dean (February 1982)|publisher=familytreenow.com|accessdate=April 5, 2016}}</ref> is a former [[mayor]] of Longview, [[Texas]], who is a [[Republican Party|Republican]] member of the Texas House of Representatives for District 7, which encompasses Gregg and Upshur counties. He succeeded another Republican, David Simpson, who left the House to run instead unsuccessfully for the Texas State Senate for the seat vacated by Kevin Eltife.  

 

 

==Background==

==Background==

Dean claims that the status of public education in Texas, which he described as poor, has damaged the ability to attract new industries. Dean said that as a supporter of the [[Second Amendment]], he has observed that a weakened economy in his area has prompted many gun owners to sell their weapons to dealers for personal economic reasons.<ref name=lnj/>

Dean claims that the status of public education in Texas, which he described as poor, has damaged the ability to attract new industries. Dean said that as a supporter of the [[Second Amendment]], he has observed that a weakened economy in his area has prompted many gun owners to sell their weapons to dealers for personal economic reasons.<ref name=lnj/>

 

 

Dean said that his campaign against Watts taught him that many voters are apathetic toward politics: "I really believe in the importance of engaging the public." Dean said border security seemed to be the issue most in the district believes to be addressed.  He questioned outside groups, such as [[Empower Texans]], established by [[Michael Quinn Sullivan]], being heavily involved in the Texas primaries. The group spent $1.4 million in the primary but failed to nominate a single conservative it supported. "We don't need outsiders from [[Austin]], [[Dallas]], [[Midland]]-[[Odessa, Texas|Odessa]], or [[Houston, Texas|Houston]] coming into our elections and telling us who we need. You have the right to vote. You know what you want," said Dean.<ref name=lnj>{{cite web|url=https://www.news-journal.com/news/2016/mar/22/as-representative-jay-dean-hopes-to-give-voice-to-/|title=As representative, Jay Dean hopes to give voice to East Texas|publisher=''Longview News-Journal''|author=Glenn Evans|date=March 22, 2016|accessdate=April 3, 2016}}</ref>  

Dean said that his campaign against Watts taught him that many voters are apathetic toward politics: "I really believe in the importance of engaging the public." Dean said border security seemed to be the issue most in the district believes to be addressed.  He questioned outside groups, such as Empower Texans established by Michael Quinn Sullivan, being heavily involved in the Texas primaries. The group spent $1.4 million in the primary but failed to nominate a single conservative it supported. "We don't need outsiders from [[Austin]], [[Dallas]], [[Midland]]-[[Odessa, Texas|Odessa]], or [[Houston, Texas|Houston]] coming into our elections and telling us who we need. You have the right to vote. You know what you want," said Dean.<ref name=lnj>{{cite web|url=https://www.news-journal.com/news/2016/mar/22/as-representative-jay-dean-hopes-to-give-voice-to-/|title=As representative, Jay Dean hopes to give voice to East Texas|publisher=''Longview News-Journal''|author=Glenn Evans|date=March 22, 2016|accessdate=April 3, 2016}}</ref>  

 

 

With no Democratic opponent in the [[general election]] on November 8, Dean was automatically elected ito the state House. 

With no Democratic opponent in the [[general election]] on November 8, Dean was automatically elected ito the state House.