Patrick Rose

Patrick Michael Rose (born 10 October 1978) is a former Texas Democratic politician, who served as a member of the Texas House of Representatives from House District 45 which comprises Blanco, Caldwell and Hays counties in Central Texas from 2002–2010.

Rose was born in Travis County, Texas to Kenneth Michael Rose and Bonnie Mae Barton. When elected in 2002, Rose was the youngest member of the Texas House of Representatives. He was educated at Princeton University, earning a bachelor's degree with high honors, and The University of Texas, earning a law degree. Rose practiced law with the Ratliff firm in Austin before opening his own law firm in San Marcos.

Rose won in 2002 by defeating the Republican incumbent, Rick Green of Dripping Springs, by less than 1 percent of all votes cast. The film "Last Man Standing: Politics Texas Style" (2004) chronicles Rose's campaign and come-from-behind victory. Rose was 24 at the time of his election in November 2002 while Green was 32.

Rose was named to the chairmanship of the House Human Services Committee for the 2007-2008 biennium after he supported Republican Tom Craddick (R-Midland) for election to a third term as Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. He was reappointed as chair of the Human Services Committee for the 2009-2010 session by Speaker Joe Straus (R-San Antonio).

Elections

In 2002, Rose defeated incumbent Republican State Representative Rick Green, by a margin of 48.81% to 47.93%, with 3.24% going to Green Party candidate John D. Schmidt.

In 2004, Rose defeated Republican challenger Alan Askew by a much more comfortable margin of 54.56% to 45.43%.

In 2006, Rose defeated Republican challenger Jim Neuhaus by a large margin of 60.12% to 35.83% with 4.04% going to Libertarian candidate Tom Gleinser.

In 2008, Rose defeated Republican challenger Matt Young by a large margin of 59.30% to 37.43% with 3.25% going to Libertarian Tom Gleinser.

In 2010, Rose was defeated by Republican challenger Jason Isaac by a total of 46.09% to 53.90%.

References