Ernest Bailes

Ernest James Bailes IV (born April 13, 1982), is an American politician and Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives for the 18th district. Bailes was defeated by Janis Holt by 53% to 39% on March 5, 2024, in the Republican primary for the Texas House of Representatives for the 18th District.

Background
Bailes, a rancher and agriculturist, grew up on his family's beef and dairy cattle operations in East Texas. Growing up in Shepherd, he is a graduate of Shepherd High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University in 2004. Following graduation from A&M, Bailes founded his own company, Repro Select, an "advanced reproductive services provider for cattle and whitetail deer producers across the South-Central United States". Bailes is married to Courtney Bailes, a third-grade teacher in the Coldspring–Oakhurst CISD. The couple has two sons named Cinco and Rigby. Bailes assumed office in 2017, succeeding fellow Republican John Otto, who did not seek re-election in 2016.

Legislative history
Bailes currently serves on the House Committee for Culture, Recreation, and Tourism and the House Committee on Energy Resources.

Bailes voted to prohibit one-punch straight-ticket voting and voted to establish standards for determining adjusted franchise tax rates.

Additionally, Bailes voted against the Schaefer Amendment of Senate Bill 8, which would have required women to carry fetuses with fatal fetal abnormalities to term. The amendment was tabled. SB8 related to certain prohibited abortions and the treatment and disposition of embryonic and fetal tissue remains, creating a civil cause of action and imposing a civil penalty, creating criminal offense. The law was struck down by a court challenge before taking effect.

2018 reelection
Bailes won reelection to a second term in the general election held on November 6, 2018. With 35,538 votes (75.5 percent), he defeated Democrat Fred Lemond, who polled 11,514 votes (24.5 percent).