Nathaniel Moran

Nathaniel Moran
Born	Nathaniel Quentin Moran 23 9, 1974
Birthplace	Arizona, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, attorney
Known for	U.S. Representative for Texas's 1st congressional district
Education	Texas Tech University (BA, MBA, JD)
Children	4
Website	[https://moran.house.gov Official site]

Nathaniel Quentin Moran (born September 23, 1974) is an American politician and attorney serving as the U.S. representative for Texas's 1st congressional district since January 3, 2023. A member of the Republican Party, Moran built his political career in East Texas, first as a member of the Tyler, Texas city council representing the 5th district, then as the county judge of Smith County, Texas, before winning election to Congress in 2022. His path to public service was shaped by early experiences in the military and law, including attendance at the United States Military Academy at West Point before completing his undergraduate, graduate, and legal education at Texas Tech University. In Congress, Moran has engaged in issues ranging from border security and U.S.–Mexico relations to transatlantic policy and support for Ukraine, while maintaining a focus on the interests of his East Texas constituency.

Early Life

Nathaniel Quentin Moran was born on September 23, 1974, in Arizona. Details regarding his parents and family background during his childhood years are limited in publicly available sources. Moran's early life eventually led him to pursue a career in military service, and he attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, though he did not graduate from the academy. He subsequently relocated to Texas, where he would establish deep roots in the Tyler and Smith County community.

Moran settled in Tyler, Texas, a city in the heart of East Texas that serves as the seat of Smith County. Tyler, with its economy anchored in oil, healthcare, and education, became the base from which Moran would launch both his legal and political careers. He became involved in local civic life and developed connections throughout the community that would later support his entry into public service.

Education

Moran initially attended the United States Military Academy at West Point but did not complete his degree there. He went on to attend Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He continued his education at Texas Tech, obtaining both a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from the university. This combination of business and legal education provided the foundation for his subsequent career as a practicing attorney in East Texas and later his transition into local government and politics.

Career

Legal Career and Tyler City Council

After completing his education at Texas Tech University, Moran established himself as an attorney in Tyler, Texas. He practiced law in the East Texas region, building a professional reputation within the legal community. His involvement in local affairs and community organizations helped lay the groundwork for his eventual entry into politics.

Moran's first foray into elected office came when he served as a member of the Tyler City Council, representing the city's 5th district. His tenure on the city council provided him with experience in municipal governance and local policy issues, including infrastructure, public safety, and community development. The position also raised his profile among residents and political figures in the Tyler area.

Smith County Judge

In July 2016, Moran was named as the acting county judge of Smith County by the Smith County Commissioners Court, following the departure of the previous judge, Joel Baker. He was formally sworn in as acting Smith County judge on July 22, 2016.

In Texas, the county judge serves as the presiding officer of the commissioners court, the governing body of a county, and holds both administrative and, in some counties, judicial responsibilities. As Smith County judge, Moran oversaw the county's budget, operations, and policy direction. Smith County, with Tyler as its county seat, is one of the larger counties in the East Texas region, and the judge's role involved managing a range of county services and infrastructure.

Moran ran for his first full term as Smith County judge in 2018 and won the election, securing the position on his own right beyond his initial appointment. During his tenure as county judge, Moran managed county affairs through a period that included the COVID-19 pandemic, which required coordination of local public health responses, emergency management, and economic recovery efforts across Smith County.

His service as county judge raised his profile throughout East Texas and positioned him as a prominent Republican figure in the region. His administrative experience, combined with his legal background, helped build the foundation for a run at higher office.

2022 Congressional Campaign

On December 2, 2021, Moran officially announced his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives, seeking to represent Texas's 1st congressional district. The seat was being vacated by longtime incumbent Louie Gohmert, who had served the district since 2005 and chose not to seek re-election in order to run for Attorney General of Texas.

Texas's 1st congressional district encompasses a large portion of East Texas, including Tyler, Longview, Nacogdoches, Lufkin, and surrounding areas. The district had been a reliable Republican stronghold for decades, meaning the Republican primary was effectively the most competitive stage of the electoral process.

In an interview with The Texas Horn in February 2022, Moran discussed his background, his motivations for seeking the congressional seat, and his policy priorities, which included border security, economic development, and support for East Texas communities.

Moran won the Republican primary election by an overwhelming margin, securing the party's nomination to succeed Gohmert. His strong showing in the primary reflected widespread support within the local Republican base, built upon his years of service as Smith County judge and his involvement in the Tyler community.

Following his primary victory, Moran went on to win the general election in November 2022, carrying the heavily Republican district. He succeeded Gohmert and took office on January 3, 2023, at the start of the 118th United States Congress. His successor as Smith County judge was Neal Franklin.

U.S. House of Representatives

Moran began serving as the U.S. representative for Texas's 1st congressional district on January 3, 2023. As a freshman member of the 118th United States Congress, he joined the Republican caucus in the House and focused on issues of concern to his East Texas constituents, including border security, energy policy, and rural economic development.

Border Security and U.S.–Mexico Relations

Border security has been a central theme of Moran's congressional tenure. Representing a district in Texas, he has been vocal on immigration enforcement and cartel activity along the U.S.–Mexico border. In early 2025, Moran commented publicly on Mexico's deadly military operation against a cartel leader known as "El Mencho," calling it "an important step" that could improve safety on both sides of the border. He characterized the growing U.S.–Mexico security cooperation as a positive development.

Transatlantic Policy and Ukraine

Moran has also been involved in transatlantic policy discussions, particularly regarding U.S. support for Ukraine. In late 2025, he appeared on a podcast hosted by the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), where he discussed his career in public service and his efforts to strengthen transatlantic support for Ukraine in the context of Russia's ongoing invasion. His engagement with this issue placed him among the Republican members of Congress who have expressed support for continued U.S. involvement in European security matters.

Government Shutdown and Congressional Pay

During a government shutdown in late 2025, Moran formally requested that his congressional salary be withheld for the duration of the shutdown. He stated that he did not believe members of Congress should be paid while the government was not fully funded and operational. In November 2025, he publicly criticized Democratic members of Congress for what he described as blocking legislation that would have ended the shutdown, expressing support for a Senate bill aimed at reopening the government.

Legislative Votes

In November 2025, Moran joined a majority of the U.S. House of Representatives in voting to release files related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. He issued a statement supporting the transparency measure.

Community Engagement

Moran has maintained an active presence in his East Texas district. In November 2025, he participated in a Veterans Day event organized by the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce at Lake Tyler, reflecting his ongoing engagement with veteran and military communities in the region.

Personal Life

Moran resides in the Tyler, Texas area. He and his wife have four children. He has maintained ties to the East Texas community throughout his career, and his family life in Tyler has been a recurring element of his public profile.

Moran's early attendance at the United States Military Academy at West Point reflects a connection to military service that has informed his approach to veterans' issues and national defense policy throughout his political career. He has participated in events honoring veterans and has spoken publicly about the importance of supporting military families and service members.