The List: Best and Worst 2015

Ever since its founding, Texas Monthly’s coverage of the Legislature has culminated in a biennial list of the Ten Best and Ten Worst legislators. This year was no exception, although the Eighty-fourth Legislature was marked by transition at the Capitol—the leadership nearly entirely turned over—and at our office—senior executive editor Paul Burka retired this year. Despite big changes, some things remain the same, like our committment to holding our legislators accountable for their actions throughout the session. So, without further ado, here are our picks, in alphabetical order:

BEST

Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock (R-Killeen)

Rep. César Blanco (D-El Paso)

Rep. Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton)

Sen. Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler)

Rep. Stephanie Klick (R-Fort Worth)

Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer (D-San Antonio)

Rep. Ruth Jones McClendon (D-San Antonio)

Rep. John Otto (R-Dayton)

Rep. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound)

Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-Houston)

WORST

Rep. Cecil Bell Jr (R-Magnolia)

Sen. Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels)

Rep. Harold Dutton (D-Houston)

Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston)

Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound)

Rep. Joe Pickett (D-El Paso)

Rep. Matt Schaefer (R-Tyler)

Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown)

Rep. Jonathan Stickland (R-Bedford)

Rep. Molly White (R-Belton)

The Best & Worst Legislators 2015 includes write-ups for each of these picks—and in some cases, the reasons may surprise you. The feature also includes honorable and dishonorable mentions; Furniture; assessments of Governor Greg Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, and House Speaker Joe Straus; and a look at Representative Charlie Geren, our biennial Bull of the Brazos. All of that, plus Brian Sweany’s post-session interview with Abbott, is in the July issue of Texas Monthly, which will start appearing in mailboxes over the weekend and on newsstands next Thursday.