As State Representative for the 61st District, Phil King represents the people of Parker and Wise counties in the Texas Legislature. He has earned a reputation as a principle-driven conservative who consistently provides key leadership in passing some of Texas’ most sweeping public policy legislation.

King serves as Chairman of the Regulated Industries Committee, one of the key committees in the Texas House, where he has worked to promote competition in the electricity and telecommunications markets. King co-chairs the Electric Utility Restructuring Legislative Oversight Committee, a joint committee of the Texas House and Senate, and serves on the Select Committee on Electric Generation Capacity and Environmental Effects. King also serves on the Civil Practices Committee, the Redistricting Committee, and the Select Committee on Property Tax Relief and Appraisal Reform. Additionally, he is on the board of directors for the Tower Institute for Strategic Analysis and Action in Public Policy and the Texas Conservative Coalition, organizations that encourage the principles of economic liberty, limited government, and personal responsibility.

Rep. Phil King is shown here accepting an award for 2006 "Legislator of the Year" Award from the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a bi-partisan group of more than 2,400 legislators around the nation. ALEC members support the principles of limited government, free enterprise, federalism and individual liberty. Joining him for the award were (L-R) daughter Mary, wife Terry, and daughter Leah.

Since his election in 1998, King has made an impact on Texas public policy. In 1999, he was named “Freshman Legislator of the Year” by his colleagues, “Rookie Legislator of the Year” by Texas Monthly, and “Crime Fighter of the Year” by the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas. In his second term, he was named a “Fighter for Free Enterprise” by the Texas Association of Business for his work on pro-business issues, and was honored by the Texas State Rifle Association for legislation implementing a firearms safety program in public schools.

During the 78th Legislature and the following Special Sessions, King authored the congressional redistricting legislation. King was also recognized as “Legislator of the Year” by the Texas Association of Builders for his work on HB 730. This bill was designed to reduce litigation costs for homebuilders and buyers, and has been utilized as model legislation in other states.

In 2005, King was the House sponsor of Senate Bill 5, which modernized Texas’ telecommunications laws. SB 5 has been hailed nationally for its groundbreaking provisions in opening the cable television market to greater competition, and has also been the subject of wide praise for its impact on technology investment in Texas. For his leadership on SB 5, King was named a “Legislator of the Year” by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a bi-partisan organization of over 2,400 state legislators committed to Jeffersonian principles of limited government, free enterprise, federalism, and individual liberty. ALEC adopted the principles of SB 5 as “model legislation” to be considered in other states.

A strong voice for faith and families, King has been a driving force in passing key pro-life legislation such as parental notification and parental consent. In 2008, he was given the “Defender of the American Dream” award from Americans for Prosperity. He was named “Outstanding Legislator of the Year” by the Texas Alliance for Life and in 2006 received the “Defender of Life” award from The Justice Foundation. He has also been awarded the “Freedom and Family Award” by Texas Eagle Forum and has been recognized by the Free Market Foundation for his support of pro-family legislation.

King serves as a Major in the Texas State Guard, one of three branches of the Military Forces of the State of Texas. The Guard assists and augments the Texas National Guard and Texas civil authorities during state emergencies and in homeland security.

Prior to serving in the legislature, King served as a Captain in the Fort Worth Police Department, an instructor at Dallas Baptist University and a Parker County Justice of the Peace. He received a BA and MBA from Dallas Baptist University and a law degree from Texas Wesleyan University. In 2001, King received the Outstanding Alumni award from Dallas Baptist University, and in 2006, Texas Wesleyan University awarded King with the Distinguished Alumni award. King is a frequent speaker on telecommunications and energy policy.

Currently, he is a practicing attorney in Weatherford with the firm of Eggleston, Flowers & King. Representative King and his family are active members of Trinity Bible Church. Phil and his wife Terry are the proud parents of six children and one granddaughter and two grandsons.