Featured Candidate - Bob Deuell
On January 14, 2003, Senator Robert F. "Bob" Deuell was sworn-in to the Texas State Senate to represent the citizens of Senate District Two, which includes Delta, Hopkins, Hunt, Rockwall, Kaufman, Fannin, Rains, and Van Zandt counties, and parts of Dallas and Smith counties. In 2006, Sen. Deuell was overwhelmingly re-elected to a second full term.
After graduating from George Mason University with a degree in biology, Senator Deuell earned his Doctorate of Medicine from the Medical College of Virginia. Senator Deuell is a board certified Family Physician who has practiced in Greenville for 23 years. In addition to his practice, Sen. Deuell serves as an instructor for medical students and residents for various medical schools and residencies in the state.
During his time in the Legislature, Sen. Deuell has passed dozens of pieces of legislation covering a wide spectrum of issues. During the 81st Legislative Session, Senator Deuell passed legislation to ensure that certain families can get medical coverage for their disabled children (SB 187). Other key pieces of legislation include a measure to attract movie and television production to the state (SB 605/HB873), a bill authorizing additional tools to prosecute repeat drunk drivers (SB 261), and legislation that will allow for a fairer allocation of local sales tax (SB 1202). As a member of the Sunset Advisory Commission Senator Deuell also passed legislation re-authorizing the Office of State-Federal Relations, the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education, and the Texas Commission on Jail Standards. In addition, Senator Deuell worked to ensure passage of bills dealing with issues such as education, transportation, health care and criminal justice.
Named one of Texas' Ten Best Legislators in 2007, Sen. Deuell was again recognized by Texas Monthly magazine for his work during the 81st Legislative Session.
During his legislative career, Senator Deuell has been given numerous awards from a wide variety of organizations. They include the "Crime Fighter of the Year" award by the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, the "Fighter for Free Enterprise Award," by the Texas Association of Business, was named Outstanding Senator by the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters, received the "Patient Advocacy Award" from the Texas Academy of Family Physicians, was named Freshman Senator of the Year by the Texas Young Republican Federation, and received an A++ rating from the Texas Right to Life Committee. In addition, Sen. Deuell was honored with the "Patiente Protectorate Award" and was named one of "Texas Medicine's Best" by the Texas Medical Association. An avid outdoorsman, Sen. Deuell is A+ rated by the National Rifle Association.
Currently, Senator Deuell serves on the Senate Finance Committee, the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Economic Development. He also serves as Vice-Chair of both the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services and the Senate Committee on State Affairs. In addition, Senator Deuell was unanimously elected chairman of the Senate Republican Caucus.
Sen. Deuell is also an accomplished musician. Before entering medical school in the late 1970s, Deuell enjoyed a career as a professional drummer and played behind such disparate artists as Ike & Tina Turner and Bob Hope. He sat in with the veteran Western Swing band Asleep at the Wheel at an inaugural ball for George W. Bush in January 2005. While much of his time today is taken up by his official duties and his medical practice, Deuell still plays the drums whenever asked for charitable events.
As a lawmaker and physician, Sen. Deuell is both professionally and personally committed to health and physical fitness. In the past, he has completed the Boston Marathon and was a national qualifier in bicycle/running duathlon.
Most importantly, Senator Deuell has been married to his wife Marilyn for 39 years. They have three grown children, all of whom Sen. Deuell is proud to say have college degrees and are receiving paychecks.
