Helen Kerwin

Hugh Leslie

​

​

(m. 1969,separated)​

^[2]

Helen Kerwin
Kerwin in 2025
Member of the TexasHouseofRepresentatives from the 58th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 14, 2025
Children	3, including Brooke Rollins
Alma mater	California State University [2]
Website	Campaign website

Helen Dean Kerwin (born October 10, 1947) is an American politician who has served as a member of the Texas House of Representatives for the 58th district since 2025. ^[3] A member of the Republican Party, she defeated incumbent DeWayne Burns for the party's nomination in 2024. ^[4] Her daughter, Brooke Rollins, is currently serving as the United States Secretary of Agriculture. ^[5]

Career

Kerwin and her husband both worked in the hotel industry and purchased the Glen Hotel in Glen Rose, Texas in 1975 then sold it. After the two seperated, Kerwin opened a flower shop before selling it and successfully running for mayor of Glen Rose in 1997. She then ran for Somervell County Commission, becoming the first Republican elected to the role. ^[2] She has owned the Country Woods Inn, a ranch and bed-and-breakfast, since 1980. ^{[6] [7]}

Texas House of Representatives

Election

In 2024, Kerwin announced her camapign for the Texas House of Representatives in the 58th district against incumbent Republican DeWayne Burns. Burns had voted against school voucher legislation, drawing criticism from Greg Abbott and his endorsement of Kerwin. ^[8] She placed first in the Republican primary election and defeated Burns in the ensuing run-off election. ^[9]

Tenure

In January 2025, Kerwin supported David Cook for speaker and introduced legislation to combat PFAS contamination in sewage sludge-based fertilizers. ^{[10] [11]}

Electoral history

2024 Texas House of Representatives, District 58 Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Helen Kerwin	11,535	48.90%
	Republican	DeWayne Burns (incumbent)	9,724	41.22%
	Republican	Lyndon Laird	2,330	9.88%
Total votes			23,589	100.00%

2024 Texas House of Representatives, District 58 Republican primary runoff

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Helen Kerwin	7,685	57.54%
	Republican	DeWayne Burns (incumbent)	5,670	42.46%
Total votes			13,355	100.00%

2024 Texas House of Representatives, District 58 general election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Helen Kerwin	63,760	82.06%
	Libertarian	Richard Windmann	13,935	17.94%
Total votes			77,695	100%
	Republican hold

Personal life

Kerwin raised 3 daughters as a single mother; Brooke who is currently serving as the United States Secretary of Agriculture, Helen Jr. who is principal of Glen Rose Intermediate School, and Ann who is a professor at Texas Christian University and married to the university's chancellor, Daniel Pullin. She grew up in Minnesota and married her husband, Hugh Leslie, in 1969 and the couple moved to California before returning to Texas in 1975 to buy and operate a hotel; the two later separated. ^[2]

References

1. "Instagram".
2. Gainey, Blaise (March 14, 2025). "Meet Rep. Helen Kerwin, a grandmother of nine and freshman North Texas lawmaker for HD 58". KUT .
3. "Helen Kerwin". Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
4. Henry, Sydnie (May 29, 2024). "Helen Kerwin Defeats State Rep. DeWayne Burns in House District 58". Texas Scorecard. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
5. Dearman, Eleanor (May 29, 2024). "A shift to the right: Challengers win Republican Fort Worth area House runoffs". Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
6. Burka, Paul (June 2000). "We'd like to get away to a small town with lots for the family to do". Texas Monthly . Retrieved November 28, 2025.
7. Shultz, Misty (July 23, 2007). "Going to the chapels". Cleburne Times-Review . Retrieved November 28, 2025.
8. Palmer, Ewan (February 19, 2024). "Greg Abbott Turns on Fellow Republican Over Border: 'Don't Trust You'". Newsweek . Retrieved November 23, 2025.
9. Scherer, Jasper (May 28, 2024). "Texas House runoffs bring wave of GOP incumbent defeats, give Abbott votes for school vouchers". Texas Tribune . Retrieved November 23, 2025.
10. Abrams, Cameron; Cosgray, Mary Elise (January 14, 2025). "Here's How Each Texas House Member Voted in Both Rounds of the Speaker Race" . Retrieved November 28, 2025.
11. "Texas lawmaker files bill to reduce 'forever chemicals' in sewage-based fertilizer". Yahoo News. December 30, 2024. Retrieved January 2, 2025.