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'''Charles L. Hopson, II''', known as '''Chuck Hopson''' (born September 18, 1941), is a pharmacist and businessman in Jacksonville, [[Texas]], who has been since 2001 a member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 11, which includes Cherokee, Houston, Panola and Rusk counties in the northeastern portion of his state.[1]

'''Charles L. "Chuck" Hopson, II''' (born September 18, 1941) is a pharmacist and businessman in Jacksonville, [[Texas]], who has been since 2001 a member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 11, which includes Cherokee, Houston, Panola and Rusk counties in the northeastern portion of his state.[1]

 

==Background==

'''Background'''

A Jacksonville native, Hopson graduated from the University of Houston in Houston, where he procured his degree in pharmacy. In 1973, Hopson purchased and still operates May Drug Store at 506 East Commerce Street in Jacksonville. He is a member of the Texas Pharmacy Association and a past president of the Texas Society of Hospital Pharmacists. Prior to his legislative service, Hopson served on the elected Jacksonville School Board and Jacksonville City Council. He has also been vice chairman of the Jacksonville Planning and Zoning Commission. Active in the First United Methodist Church of Jacksonville, he is a trustee of Lon Morris College, a Methodist-affiliated community college in Jacksonville. Hopson is a board member of Austin Bank, the Nan Travis Hospital Foundation in Jacksonville, and the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce.[2]

A Jacksonville native, Hopson graduated from the University of Houston in Houston, where he procured his degree in pharmacy. In 1973, Hopson purchased and still operates May Drug Store at 506 East Commerce Street in Jacksonville. He is a member of the Texas Pharmacy Association and a past president of the Texas Society of Hospital Pharmacists. Prior to his legislative service, Hopson served on the elected Jacksonville School Board and Jacksonville City Council. He has also been vice chairman of the Jacksonville Planning and Zoning Commission. Active in the First United Methodist Church of Jacksonville, he is a trustee of Lon Morris College, a Methodist-affiliated community college in Jacksonville. Hopson is a board member of Austin Bank, the Nan Travis Hospital Foundation in Jacksonville, and the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce.[2]

Hopson and his wife, the former Billie L. Smith, a retired educator and school counselor of more than three decades of xperience, have three children and as of 2011 seven grandchildren. He is also active in the National Rifle Association and the Texas State Rifle Association. In 1999, Hopson was named "Businessman of the Year" by the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. In 2002, he was designated the "Best Elected Official" by readers of the newspaper, the Jacksonville Daily Progress, as well as "Citizen of the Year" by the Jacksonville Chamber. In 2004, he was honored for "Continued Commitment to Law Enforcement" by the Jacksonville police lodge. He was also honored that year by the interest group Texans for Lawsuit Reform and by his alma mater as a "Distinguished Alumnus."[2]

Hopson and his wife, the former Billie L. Smith, a retired educator and school counselor of more than three decades of experience, have three children and as of 2011 seven grandchildren. He is also active in the National Rifle Association and the Texas State Rifle Association. In 1999, Hopson was named "Businessman of the Year" by the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. In 2002, he was designated the "Best Elected Official" by readers of the newspaper, the Jacksonville Daily Progress, as well as "Citizen of the Year" by the Jacksonville Chamber. In 2004, he was honored for "Continued Commitment to Law Enforcement" by the Jacksonville police lodge. He was also honored that year by the interest group Texans for Lawsuit Reform and by his alma mater as a "Distinguished Alumnus."[2]

 

'''Election history'''

==Election history==

In 2000, Republican State Representative Todd Staples, now the Texas Agriculture Commissioner, was elected to the District 3 seat in the Texas State Senate. Hopson, as a Democrat was elected to succeed Staples. Nine years later on November 6, 2009, Hopson switched to GOP affiliation. He then secured his sixth term and his first as a Republican in 2010. His defection in 2009 made him the 77th Republican representative, then a majority by two seats. In January 2011, Hopson became one of 101 members of the GOP delegation, as the party gained a two-thirds majority in the 2010 general election.[3]

In 2000, Republican State Representative Todd Staples, now the Texas Agriculture Commissioner, was elected to the District 3 seat in the Texas State Senate. Hopson, as a Democrat was elected to succeed Staples. Nine years later on November 6, 2009, Hopson switched to GOP affiliation. He then secured his sixth term and his first as a Republican in 2010. His defection in 2009 made him the 77th Republican representative, then a majority by two seats. In January 2011, Hopson became one of 101 members of the GOP delegation, as the party gained a two-thirds majority in the 2010 general election.[3]

In his first race as a Republican in the primary on March 2, 2010, Hopson prevailed with 9,589 votes (61.2 percent). Two other Republicans, Allan D. Cain of Carthage and Michael D. Banks of Jacksonville, shared the remaining 38.8 percent of the primary ballots.[9] In his first general election as the Republican nominee, Hopson handily defeated the Democrat Richard D. Hackney, 27,074 votes (75.8 percent) to 8,635 (24.2 percent).[10]

In his first race as a Republican in the primary on March 2, 2010, Hopson prevailed with 9,589 votes (61.2 percent). Two other Republicans, Allan D. Cain of Carthage and Michael D. Banks of Jacksonville, shared the remaining 38.8 percent of the primary ballots.[9] In his first general election as the Republican nominee, Hopson handily defeated the Democrat Richard D. Hackney, 27,074 votes (75.8 percent) to 8,635 (24.2 percent).[10]

 

==Legislative service==

'''Legislative service'''

Hopson is chairman of the House Ethics Committee and a member of the committees on (1) Public Health and (2) Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services as well as the Rural Caucus. According to his Internet biography, Hopson is committed to working with legislators in both parties to promote economic development, to fund public education, to lower property taxes, and to provide healthcare access. Former Lieutenant Governor Bill Ratliff of Mount Pleasant, who served from 2001 to 2003, describes Hopson's record as that of an "independent conservative philosophy."[2]

Hopson is chairman of the House Ethics Committee and a member of the committees on (1) Public Health and (2) Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services as well as the Rural Caucus. According to his Internet biography, Hopson is committed to working with legislators in both parties to promote economic development, to fund public education, to lower property taxes, and to provide healthcare access. Former Lieutenant Governor Bill Ratliff of Mount Pleasant, who served from 2001 to 2003, describes Hopson's record as that of an "independent conservative philosophy."[2]

 

1.^ Houston County includes the city of Crockett, Texas, not populous Houston, the seat of Harris County.

1.^ Houston County includes the city of Crockett, Texas, not populous Houston, the seat of Harris County.