Charles Schwertner
Charles Schwertner | |
|---|---|
| President pro tempore of the Texas Senate | |
| In office May 29, 2023 – January 14, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Kelly Hancock |
| Succeeded by | Brandon Creighton |
| Member of the Texas Senate from the 5th district | |
| Assumed office January 8, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Steve Ogden |
| Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 20th district | |
| In office January 11, 2011 – January 8, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Dan Gattis |
| Succeeded by | Marsha Farney |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Charles Jeffrey Schwertner May 29, 1970 Tuscaloosa, Alabama, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Belinda |
| Education | University of Texas at Austin (BS) University of Texas Medical Branch (MD) |
| Signature | |
| Website | Campaign website |
Charles Jeffrey Schwertner (born May 29, 1970) is an American orthopedic surgeon and politician who has represented the 5th district in the Texas Senate since 2013. A member of the Republican Party, he served as president pro tempore of the Texas Senate from 2023 to 2025 and represented the 20th district in the Texas House of Representatives from 2011 to 2013.
Schwertner serves as chairman of the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce. He is currently a member of the Senate Committees on Education, Finance, State Affairs, and the HHS Transition Legislative Oversight Committee. Schwertner also chairs the Sunset Advisory Commission, a 12-member body of legislators and public members that periodically reviews function and operations of more than 130 state agencies.
Schwertner was named one of the "Worst Legislators" in Texas by Texas Monthly magazine in 2015 and 2017 calling him “mean-spirited and insecure” and citing an incident where he "silenced an abortion rights witness by slamming his gavel down so hard that it broke the glass tabletop of his desk."