Kyle Janek

Kyle Janek
Member of the Texas Senate
from the 17th district
In office
2003–2008
Preceded by J. E. "Buster" Brown
Succeeded by Joan Huffman
Personal details
Born January 10, 1958
Galveston, Texas, USA
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Shannon
Residence Houston, Harris County, Texas
Alma mater Texas A&M University
Profession Anesthesiologist
Religion Episcopalian

Kyle Janek, M.D. (born January 10, 1958),[1] is a former Republican member of the Texas Senate, having represented District 17 from 2003 until June 2, 2008. The district includes portions of Harris, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, and Jefferson counties. Janek was not a candidate for renomination to the state Senate in the Republican primary held on March 4.[2]

Janek resigned the seat, and Governor Rick Perry called a special election to coincide with the regular November 4 general election to fill the two years remaining in the term. Republican Joan Huffman, a former felony court judge from Houston and Democrat Chris Bell, a former U.S. representative who was Perry's 2006 election opponent, led the field and went into a December 16 runoff. Huffman ultimatedly prevailed, 56-44 percent. She becomes the sixth woman serving in the state Senate.[3]

Biography

An anesthesiologist by training, Janek has served in the Texas Legislature as a Republican since 1994. He received an M.D. from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston in 1983 and has since practiced medicine. Janek is the son of former Galveston County Commissioner Eddie Janek, Sr. He is the brother of Galveston politician Eddie Janek, Jr., who has previously sought county office.

In 1992 Janek entered the Republican primary for Texas State Representative District 134 against two opponents, Mike Shelby and Tim Turner. Janek prevailed against Shelby, later a U.S. Attorney, in the runoff, but he lost the general election to Democrat Sue Schechter, even though the District was almost 60 percent Republican. In 1994, when Schechter chose not to seek re-election, Janek was elected. He served in the Texas House of Representatives until 2002, when he ran for the Texas Senate. Janek sought the seat being vacated by long time District 17 Senator J. E. "Buster" Brown. Janek defeated attorney Gary M. Polland in the Republican primary, and then prevailed against Democratic candidate Ronnie Ellen Harrison in the general election. He was reelected again in 2006 over a Libertarian Party opponent.

Since being elected to the Senate, Janek has focused his legislative efforts on property tax reform, and the sponsorship of a state program to prevent steroid abuse among high school athletes.

On September 1, 2012, Janek began serving as the Executive Commissioner to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

2008 election

Janek resigned his Senate seat in June 2008. Joan Huffman won the subsequent special election to replace Janek.

Election history

Most recent election

2006

Texas general election, 2006: Senate District 17[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Kyle Janek 88,483 77.82 +16.40
Libertarian Phil Kurtz 25,212 22.81 +22.81
Majority 63,271 55.65% +32.79
Turnout 113,695 -20.99
Republican hold

Previous elections

2002

Texas general election, 2002: Senate District 17[5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Kyle Janek 88,393 61.43 -5.99
Democratic Ronnie Ellen Harrison 55,502 38.57 +5.99
Majority 32,891 22.86 -11.98
Turnout 153,132 -30.34
Republican hold
Special election, 5 November 2002: Senate District 17 (Unexpired term)[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Ronnie Ellen Harrison 47,164 32.58 +3.18
Republican Kyle Janek 97,588 67.42 -3.18
Majority 50,424 34.83 -6.36
Turnout 144,752 +5.52
Republican hold
Republican primary, 2002: Senate District 7[7]
Candidate Votes % ±%
Gary M. Polland 8,444 34.19
Kyle Janek 16,250 65.81
Turnout 24,694

2000

Texas general election, 2000: House District 134[8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Kyle Janek 20,764 58.89 -1.41
Democratic Michael Skadden 14,494 41.11 +1.41
Majority 6,270 17.78 -2.82
Turnout 35,258 +57.17
Republican hold

1998

Texas general election, 1998: House District 134[9]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Kyle Janek 13,527 60.30 -39.70
Democratic Mike Laster 8,906 39.70 +39.70
Majority 4,621 20.60 -79.40
Turnout 22,433 +1.75
Republican hold

1996

Texas general election, 1996: House District 134[10]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Kyle Janek 22,048 100.00 +32.79
Majority 22,048 100.00 +63.37
Turnout 22,048 -4.62
Republican hold

1994

Texas general election, 1994: House District 134[11]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Bruce Reeves 7,070 30.58 -19.56
Republican Kyle Janek 15,536 67.21 +9.60
Libertarian Paul Elliott 509 2.20 -0.04
Majority 8,466 36.63 +34.08
Turnout 23,115 -33.06
Republican gain from Democratic
Republican primary, 1994: House District 134[12]
Candidate Votes % ±%
Kathleen Ballafant 1,352 24.44
Kyle Janek 4,180 75.56
Turnout 5,532 -14.18

1992

Texas general election, 1992: House District 134[13]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Sue Schechter 17,317 50.15
Republican Kyle Janek 16,439 47.61
Libertarian Clint Ponton 774 2.24
Majority 878 2.54
Turnout 34,530
Democratic hold
Republican primary runoff, 1992: House District 134[14]
Candidate Votes % ±%
Kyle Janek 1,756 51.18
Mike Shelby 1,675 48.82
Turnout 3,431
Republican primary, 1992: House District 134[15]
Candidate Votes % ±%
Kyle Janek 2,242 34.78
Mike Shelby 2,172 33.70
Tim Turner 2,032 31.52
Turnout 6,446

References

  1. Office of the Secretary of State (Texas) (2002-09-13). "State Senate Candidates for 2002 General Election". Retrieved 2006-12-26.
  2. Gary Polland's TEXAS CONSERVATIVE REVIEW
  3. Houston Chronicle, December 17, 2008, p. 1
  4. "2006 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2006-12-24.
  5. "2002 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2006-12-24.
  6. "Special Election, State Senate District 17". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2006-12-24.
  7. "2002 Republican Party Primary Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2006-12-24.
  8. "2000 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2006-12-24.
  9. "1998 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2006-12-24.
  10. "1996 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2006-12-24.
  11. "1994 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2006-12-24.
  12. "1994 Republican Party Primary Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2006-12-24.
  13. "1992 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2006-12-24.
  14. "1992 Republican Party Primary Runoff Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2006-12-24.
  15. "1992 Republican Party Primary Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2006-12-24.

External links

Texas House of Representatives
Preceded by
Sue Schechter
Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from District 134 (Houston)

1995–2002
Succeeded by
Martha Wong
Texas Senate
Preceded by
J. E. “Buster” Brown
Texas State Senator
from District 17 (Houston)

2002-2008
Succeeded by
Joan Huffman