Helen Kerwin

Last updated

Hugh Leslie
​
(m. 1969)​
[2]
Helen Kerwin
Brooke Rollins at ACC Energy Freedom tour stop in College Station, TX - Helen Kerwin (cropped).jpg
Kerwin in 2025
Member of the TexasHouseofRepresentatives
from the 58th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 14, 2025
Children3, including Brooke Rollins
Alma mater California State University [2]
Website Campaign website

Helen 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]

Contents

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. [6] She placed first in the Republican primary election and defeated Burns in the ensuing run-off election. [7]

Tenure

In January 2025, Kerwin introduced legislation to combat PFAS contamination in sewage sludge-based fertilizers. [8]

Electoral history

2024 Texas House of Representatives, District 58 Republican primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Helen Kerwin 11,535 48.90%
Republican DeWayne Burns (incumbent) 9,724 41.22%
Republican Lyndon Laird2,3309.88%
Total votes23,589 100.00%
2024 Texas House of Representatives, District 58 Republican primary runoff
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Helen Kerwin 7,685 57.54%
Republican DeWayne Burns (incumbent)5,67042.46%
Total votes13,355 100.00%
2024 Texas House of Representatives, District 58 general election
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Helen Kerwin 63,760 82.06%
Libertarian Richard Windmann13,93517.94%
Total votes77,695 100%
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 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. [2]

References

  1. ↑ "Instagram".
  2. 1 2 3 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. ↑ Palmer, Ewan (February 19, 2024). "Greg Abbott Turns on Fellow Republican Over Border: 'Don't Trust You'". Newsweek . Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ "Texas lawmaker files bill to reduce 'forever chemicals' in sewage-based fertilizer". Yahoo News. December 30, 2024. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
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