Chris Bell (politician)
Robert Christopher Bell (born November 23, 1959) is an American politician, attorney, and former journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and South Texas College of Law. Bell served five years on the Houston City Council from 1997 to 2001, followed by one term in the United States House of Representatives from Texas's 25th Congressional District in Houston from 2003 to 2005.
Chris Bell | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2003 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 25th district | |
| In office January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2005 | |
| Preceded by | Ken Bentsen |
| Succeeded by | Al Green (Redistricting) |
| Member of the Houston City Council from the at-large district | |
| In office February 15, 1997 – January 2, 2002 | |
| Preceded by | John Peavy |
| Succeeded by | Michael Berry |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Robert Christopher Bell November 23, 1959 Abilene, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Alison Ayres |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Texas, Austin (BA) South Texas College of Law (JD) |
Bell then became the Democratic nominee in the 2006 election for the office of Governor of Texas, losing to Republican incumbent governor Rick Perry by 406,450 votes (Perry 39% versus Bell 30%) in a fractured general election campaign that also drew in two significant independent challengers. Bell, a member of the Democratic Party, is currently an attorney specializing in personal injury and commercial litigation. Prior to practicing law, Bell had been a prominent radio journalist in Texas.