Changes

|name=Carl Hawkins Isett​

|name=Carl Hawkins Isett​

|nationality=[[United States|American​]]

|nationality=[[United States|American​]]

|office= [[Texas]]  State Representative for District 84 (Lubbock County)​

|office= [[Texas]]  State Representative<br> for District 84 (Lubbock County)​

|party=[[Republican Party|Republican]]  ​

|party=[[Republican Party|Republican]]  ​

|term_start=January 1997​

|term_start=January 1997​

|succeeded=John L. Frullo​

|succeeded=John L. Frullo​

|birth_date=May 7, 1957​

|birth_date=May 7, 1957​

|birth_place=Breckenridge, Stephens County<br>[[Texas]], United States​

|birth_place=Breckenridge, Stephens County<br>[[Texas]], United States​

|occupation=[[Certified Public Accountant]]​

|occupation=[[Certified Public Accountant]]​

|religion=[[Christian]]​

|religion=[[Christian]]​

Isett received a bachelor's degree in accounting and finance and his master's degree in finance, both from the Rawls College of Business at [[Texas Tech University]].​

Isett received a bachelor's degree in accounting and finance and his master's degree in finance, both from the Rawls College of Business at [[Texas Tech University]].​

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==Legislative issues==​

==Legislative issues==

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Isett was initially elected in House District 84 in 1996 to succeed [[Robert Duncan]] of Lubbock, who was elected to the state Senate. Isett defeated the [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] Don Richards in what has become a strongly Republican district. At the time, the [[conservative]] Isett was the only practicing tax accountant in the Texas House. He placed lower taxes, reduced government, and greater personal freedom and responsibility at the core of his stated legislative goals. He worked with a group of lawmakers opposed to cities maintaining cameras at traffic lights as a means to catch traffic violations. As a freshman, his colleagues elected him to serve on the House Republican Caucus Policy Committee.​

Isett was initially elected in House District 84 in 1996 to succeed [[Robert Duncan]] of Lubbock, who was elected to the state Senate. Isett defeated the [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] Don Richards in what has become a strongly Republican district. At the time, the [[conservative]] Isett was the only practicing tax accountant in the Texas House. He placed lower taxes, reduced government, and greater personal freedom and responsibility at the core of his stated legislative goals. He worked with a group of lawmakers opposed to cities maintaining cameras at traffic lights as a means to catch traffic violations. As a freshman, his colleagues elected him to serve on the House Republican Caucus Policy Committee.​

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In 2008, Isett was [http://www.ethics.state.tx.us/sworncomp/2007/2707158.pdf fined $6,400] by the Texas Ethics Commission. He was required to refund his campaign more than $25,000 for paying his wife $36,000 for "accounting services." The [http://www.ethics.state.tx.us/statutes/09title15.html#253.035 Texas Election Code] specifically prohibits an officeholder from paying his or her spouse for personal services. After being investigated and fined, he paid over $39,000 to "Lubbock Bookkeeping Services" for the same services in the following year. It was later found that LBS was owned by his wife and had the same address as Representative Isett's home address. The Texas Ethics Commission declined to take action on the matter.<ref>  [http://www.ethics.state.tx.us/sworncomp/2007/2707158.pdf Sworn Complaint 2707158]​</ref>

In 2008, Isett was [http://www.ethics.state.tx.us/sworncomp/2007/2707158.pdf fined $6,400] by the Texas Ethics Commission. He was required to refund his campaign more than $25,000 for paying his wife $36,000 for "accounting services." The [http://www.ethics.state.tx.us/statutes/09title15.html#253.035 Texas Election Code] specifically prohibits an officeholder from paying his or her spouse for personal services. After being investigated and fined, he paid over $39,000 to "Lubbock Bookkeeping Services" for the same services in the following year. It was later found that LBS was owned by his wife and had the same address as Representative Isett's home address. The Texas Ethics Commission declined to take action on the matter.<ref>  [http://www.ethics.state.tx.us/sworncomp/2007/2707158.pdf Sworn Complaint 2707158]​</ref>

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==2003 congressional bid==​

==2003 congressional bid==

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In 2003, Isett ran in a [[special election]] for the [[United States House of Representatives]] for  District 19. The opening developed when longtime Republican U.S. Representative Larry Combest, a funeral home owner in Lubbock, suddenly retired. Isett, who carried the backing of [[Right to Life]], polled some 19 percent of the vote, nearly enough to garner a runoff berth. The position ultimately went to his fellow Lubbock Republican [[Randy Neugebauer]], also a conservative, who vacated the seat on January 3, 2017.​ It is now held by another Republican, Jodey Arrington.

In 2003, Isett ran in a [[special election]] for the [[United States House of Representatives]] for  District 19. The opening developed when longtime Republican U.S. Representative Larry Combest, a funeral home owner in Lubbock, suddenly retired. Isett, who carried the backing of [[Right to Life]], polled some 19 percent of the vote, nearly enough to garner a runoff berth. The position ultimately went to his fellow Lubbock Republican [[Randy Neugebauer]], also a conservative, who vacated the seat on January 3, 2017.​ It is now held by another Republican, Jodey Arrington.

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Former Texas Tech chancellor Kent Hance]held this congressional seat as a Democrat from 1979 to 1985, but he vacated it in an unsuccessful bid in 1984 for the [[United States Senate]]. Thereafter, Hance switched parties, served briefly on the Texas Railroad Commission, and made unsuccessful bids for the Republican [[Governor|gubernatorial]] nomination in 1986 and 1990.​

Former Texas Tech chancellor Kent Hance]held this congressional seat as a Democrat from 1979 to 1985, but he vacated it in an unsuccessful bid in 1984 for the [[United States Senate]]. Thereafter, Hance switched parties, served briefly on the Texas Railroad Commission, and made unsuccessful bids for the Republican [[Governor|gubernatorial]] nomination in 1986 and 1990.​

 

==Deployment to the Middle East==​

==Deployment to the Middle East==

 

Isett is a commissioned officer in the [[United States Naval Reserve]]: a commander attached to Commander Logistics Western Pacific. In October 2006, he returned home from deployment in [[Kuwait]] and [[Iraq]]. His former wife Cherie served as his legislative proxy while he was away, a procedure allowed in Texas.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.lrl.state.tx.us/legeLeaders/members/memberDisplay.cfm?memberID=185&searchparams=chamber=~city=~countyID=0~district=~first=~gender=~last=Isett~leaderNote=~leg=~party=~roleDesc=~Committee=​

Isett is a commissioned officer in the United States Naval Reserve: a commander attached to Commander Logistics Western Pacific. In October 2006, he returned home from deployment in [[Kuwait]] and [[Iraq]]. His former wife Cherie served as his legislative proxy while he was away, a procedure allowed in Texas.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.lrl.state.tx.us/legeLeaders/members/memberDisplay.cfm?memberID=185&searchparams=chamber=~city=~countyID=0~district=~first=~gender=~last=Isett~leaderNote=~leg=~party=~roleDesc=~Committee=​

|title=Carl Isett|publisher=lrl.state.tx.us|accessdate=September 20, 2011}}</ref> Similarly, a colleague, Frank Corte, Jr., a Republican from [[San Antonio]], also designated his wife, Valerie Ryder Corte, as his legislative proxy while Corte served in 2006 in the [[Iraq War]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.lrl.state.tx.us/legeLeaders/members/memberDisplay.cfm?memberID=96&searchparams=chamber=H~city=~countyID=0~district=123~first=~gender=~last=~leaderNote=~leg=77~party=~roleDesc=~Committee=|title=Frank J. Corte, Jr.|publisher=lrl.state.tx.us|accessdate=September 20, 2011}}</ref>​

|title=Carl Isett|publisher=lrl.state.tx.us|accessdate=September 20, 2011}}</ref> Similarly, a colleague, Frank Corte, Jr., a Republican from [[San Antonio]], also designated his wife, Valerie Ryder Corte, as his legislative proxy while Corte served in 2006 in the [[Iraq War]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.lrl.state.tx.us/legeLeaders/members/memberDisplay.cfm?memberID=96&searchparams=chamber=H~city=~countyID=0~district=123~first=~gender=~last=~leaderNote=~leg=77~party=~roleDesc=~Committee=|title=Frank J. Corte, Jr.|publisher=lrl.state.tx.us|accessdate=September 20, 2011}}</ref>​

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Former Speaker Tom Craddick said that Isett's sudden retirement is "a real loss for West Texas, and more so for the Legislature."<ref name=blackburn/> Isett's expertise regarding finance and spending will be missed, Craddick added. Though Isett rarely spoke on the House floor, Craddick explained: "When he did get up to say something, people listened, because they knew he was informed on the issues. . . . A lot of people really listened to what he had to say. That's what you need when you're a legislator; you need a following by the other members if you're ever going to accomplish anything."<ref name=blackburn/>​

Former Speaker Tom Craddick said that Isett's sudden retirement is "a real loss for West Texas, and more so for the Legislature."<ref name=blackburn/> Isett's expertise regarding finance and spending will be missed, Craddick added. Though Isett rarely spoke on the House floor, Craddick explained: "When he did get up to say something, people listened, because they knew he was informed on the issues. . . . A lot of people really listened to what he had to say. That's what you need when you're a legislator; you need a following by the other members if you're ever going to accomplish anything."<ref name=blackburn/>​

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In the 2010 primary, two Republicans met in a runoff election on April 13, 2010, to fill Isett's seat. Mark Griffin (born July 27, 1954) led the three-candidate field with 5,652 votes (48.7 percent) and faced John L. Frullo (born August 1, 1962), who received 4,992 votes (43 percent). The third candidate, Ysidro Gutierrez, a former Democratic member of the Lubbock County commissoner's court, polled the remaining but critical 952 votes (8 percent). Turnout on primary day was so small that the majority of the ballots were cast during early voting.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://enr.sos.state.tx.us/enr/results/mar02_148_state.htm?x=0&y=18482&id=272|title=Republican primary election returns, March 2, 2010|publisher=Texas Secretary of State|accessdate=March 7, 2010}}</ref> In the second round of balloting, Frullo, endorsed by Gutierrez, defeated Griffin, a former Texas Tech regent who carried the backing of State Senator Robert  Duncan.<ref name=lubbock>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.lubbockonline.com/election2/2010/04/14/anatomy-of-perry%e2%80%99s-victory-over-jones-could-hold-key-to-party%e2%80%99s-direction/​

In the 2010 primary, two Republicans met in a runoff election on April 13, 2010, to fill Isett's seat. Mark Griffin (born July 27, 1954) led the three-candidate field with 5,652 votes (48.7 percent) and faced John L. Frullo (born August 1, 1962), who received 4,992 votes (43 percent). The third candidate, Ysidro Gutierrez, a former Democratic member of the Lubbock County commissoner's court, polled the remaining but critical 952 votes (8 percent). Turnout on primary day was so small that the majority of the ballots were cast during early voting.<ref>Texas Secretary of State, Republican primary election returns, March 2, 2010.</ref> In the second round of balloting, Frullo, endorsed by Gutierrez, defeated Griffin, a former Texas Tech regent who carried the backing of State Senator Robert  Duncan, later the chancellor of the Texas Tech System.<ref name=lubbock>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.lubbockonline.com/election2/2010/04/14/anatomy-of-perry%e2%80%99s-victory-over-jones-could-hold-key-to-party%e2%80%99s-direction/​|title=Anatomy of Perry's victory over Jones could hold key to party's direction|publisher=blogs.lubbockonline.com|accessdate=April 16, 2010; no longer on-line}}</ref> Frullo then handily defeated Democrat Carol Morgan, a retired Lubbock educator, in the special election and general election.​

|title=Anatomy of Perry's victory over Jones could hold key to party's direction|publisher=blogs.lubbockonline.com|accessdate=April 16, 2010}}</ref> Frullo then handily defeated Democrat Carol Morgan, a retired Lubbock educator, in the special election and general election.​

{{reflist}}​

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*http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist84/bio/isett.htm​

*http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist84/bio/isett.htm​

*http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/reports/house/dist84/r8.htm​

*http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/reports/house/dist84/r8.htm​