Marc Veasey

Marc Veasey
Born	Marc Allison Veasey 3 1, 1971
Birthplace	Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician
Known for	U.S. Representative for Texas's 33rd congressional district
Education	Texas Wesleyan University (BA)
Spouse(s)	Tonya Jackson
Children	1
Website	[[veasey.house.gov veasey.house.gov] Official site]

Marc Allison Veasey (born January 3, 1971) is an American politician who has served as the U.S. Representative for Texas's 33rd congressional district since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, Veasey represents a district that encompasses portions of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, including parts of Fort Worth, Dallas, Arlington, and Grand Prairie. Before his election to Congress, he served in the Texas House of Representatives from 2005 to 2013, representing the 95th district, where he held the position of chair pro tempore of the House Democratic Caucus. A Fort Worth native who built his political career through years of legislative staff work and community engagement, Veasey became the first African American to represent the 33rd congressional district when it was created following the 2010 census redistricting cycle. In December 2025, Veasey announced he would not seek reelection to Congress and would instead run for Tarrant County judge, though he suspended that campaign one week later.

Early Life

Marc Allison Veasey was born on January 3, 1971, in Fort Worth, Texas. He grew up in the Fort Worth area, where he developed an early interest in politics and public service. Veasey's upbringing in the diverse communities of Fort Worth shaped his later focus on issues affecting working-class and minority constituents in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex.

Before entering elected office himself, Veasey gained experience in the legislative process through staff work. He served as a staff member for U.S. Representative Martin Frost, a Democrat who represented parts of the Dallas–Fort Worth area in Congress. This experience provided Veasey with an understanding of constituent services and the mechanics of federal legislation. He also worked as a real estate professional and as a reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, gaining a broader perspective on the communities he would later represent.

Veasey's diverse professional background—spanning journalism, real estate, and political staffing—equipped him with a range of skills that he brought to his legislative career. His time working for Congressman Frost, in particular, gave him direct exposure to the workings of Congress, an experience that informed both his state legislative service and his eventual campaign for a congressional seat.

Education

Veasey attended Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. Texas Wesleyan is a private university located in the Polytechnic Heights neighborhood of Fort Worth, and Veasey's attendance there reflected his deep roots in the city where he was born and raised. His undergraduate education provided the academic foundation for his subsequent career in public service and politics.

Career

Texas House of Representatives (2005–2013)

Veasey was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2004, winning the seat representing the 95th district. He succeeded Glenn Lewis in the position and took office on January 11, 2005. The 95th district encompassed portions of Fort Worth and surrounding areas in Tarrant County, a predominantly African American and Latino constituency.

During his eight years in the Texas House, Veasey rose to become the chair pro tempore of the House Democratic Caucus, a leadership position within the minority party in the Republican-dominated state legislature. In this role, he helped coordinate Democratic legislative strategy and served as a spokesperson for the caucus on key policy issues. His tenure in Austin covered a period of significant political activity in Texas, including redistricting battles following the 2010 census that would ultimately create the congressional district he would go on to represent.

Veasey's legislative work in Austin focused on issues relevant to his urban constituency, including economic development, education, and criminal justice. His years of state legislative experience, combined with his earlier work as a congressional staffer, positioned him as a knowledgeable and experienced candidate when the opportunity arose to run for Congress.

When he left the Texas House in 2013 to take his seat in Congress, Veasey was succeeded by Nicole Collier in the 95th district seat.

2012 Congressional Campaign

Following the 2010 United States census, Texas gained four new congressional seats due to population growth. Among the newly created districts was Texas's 33rd congressional district, which was drawn to include portions of Tarrant County and Dallas County, connecting parts of Fort Worth and Dallas. The district was created as a majority-minority district with a significant African American and Hispanic population.

Veasey entered the Democratic primary for the new seat, facing a crowded field of candidates. The primary contest was competitive, as the heavily Democratic district meant that the Democratic nomination was tantamount to election in the general contest. Veasey campaigned on his legislative experience in Austin and his record of service to the communities within the new district. He emphasized his familiarity with the area's needs and his readiness to represent the district's diverse population in Washington.

In the July 2012 Democratic primary runoff, Veasey prevailed, securing the nomination. He then won the November 2012 general election, becoming the first representative of the newly created 33rd congressional district. His victory made him the first African American to represent this particular district in the U.S. House of Representatives.

U.S. House of Representatives (2013–present)

Veasey took office on January 3, 2013, coinciding with his 42nd birthday. As the representative of the 33rd congressional district, he has served a constituency that spans parts of two of Texas's largest counties and includes significant populations of African American and Hispanic residents.

Throughout his time in Congress, Veasey has served on several House committees. His committee assignments have allowed him to work on issues of importance to his district, including defense-related matters, given the presence of major defense contractors and military installations in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, as well as energy policy and science-related legislation.

Veasey has been a consistent voice on issues including voting rights, economic opportunity, energy policy, and defense. Representing a district with substantial ties to the defense and aerospace industries, he has advocated for policies supporting the Lockheed Martin F-35 production facility and other defense operations in the region.

On energy policy, Veasey has positioned himself as a supporter of an "all-of-the-above" approach, recognizing both the role of traditional energy industries in the Texas economy and the potential for renewable energy development. This stance has sometimes placed him in a centrist position within the Democratic caucus on energy-related votes.

Veasey has also been active on voting rights issues, particularly given the ongoing legal and political debates over voter identification laws and redistricting in Texas. His own congressional district was itself the product of redistricting decisions that were subject to legal challenges, giving him a direct connection to these issues.

Bipartisan Legislative Efforts

Veasey has engaged in bipartisan legislative efforts during his time in Congress. In February 2025, he co-introduced legislation with Representative Blake Moore (R-UT) to prohibit foreign investment in name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals involving college athletes. The bill reflected concerns about potential foreign influence in American collegiate athletics through financial arrangements with student athletes. This legislation exemplified Veasey's willingness to work across party lines on issues he considered to be matters of national interest.

Reelection History

After his initial election in 2012, Veasey was reelected to successive terms representing the 33rd congressional district. His district, while subject to some boundary changes through subsequent redistricting cycles, remained a safely Democratic seat throughout his tenure. By 2025, Veasey was serving his seventh term in Congress, having built a record of more than a decade of service in the U.S. House following his eight years in the Texas state legislature.

2025 Tarrant County Judge Campaign

On December 8, 2025, Veasey announced that he would not seek an eighth term in Congress and would instead file as a candidate for Tarrant County judge in the 2026 Democratic primary. The announcement represented a significant shift in Veasey's political trajectory, as Tarrant County judge is the top elected position in Tarrant County government, serving as the presiding officer of the county commissioners court and the county's chief executive.

The decision was described as a "last-minute political maneuver," coming shortly before the filing deadline for the 2026 primary elections. Veasey's entry into the county judge race was seen as an attempt by Democrats to compete for the position in Tarrant County, which had experienced increasing political competitiveness in recent election cycles.

However, just one week later, on December 15, 2025, Veasey withdrew from the Tarrant County judge race. In announcing his withdrawal, Veasey stated that he wanted to remain available in the House of Representatives, suggesting that his continued service in Congress could be valuable during a period of legislative activity.

The rapid reversal created an unusual situation for the 2026 primary ballot. Despite withdrawing from the county judge race, Veasey had already filed and his name remained on the ballot. His decision also meant that his congressional seat's race was affected, as his initial announcement had prompted other potential candidates to consider entering the 33rd district contest. The situation raised questions about the procedural implications of withdrawn candidates remaining on primary ballots in Texas.

Personal Life

Veasey is married to Tonya Jackson. The couple has one child together. The Veasey family resides in Fort Worth, Texas, where Veasey has lived for the majority of his life. His deep roots in the Fort Worth community have been a consistent element of his political identity, and he has frequently emphasized his connection to the city and its residents throughout his career.

Veasey's personal connection to Fort Worth extends beyond his political career. As a graduate of Texas Wesleyan University, a former reporter for the local newspaper, and a longtime resident, his biography is closely intertwined with the city's civic life. His decision to consider the Tarrant County judge position in late 2025, rather than continue serving in Congress, was interpreted by some observers as a reflection of his enduring commitment to Fort Worth and Tarrant County governance.

Recognition

As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for more than a decade, Veasey has been recognized as one of the prominent political figures in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. His distinction as the first representative of the 33rd congressional district, and as the first African American elected to represent that district, has been noted in coverage of Texas politics.

Veasey's role as chair pro tempore of the Texas House Democratic Caucus during his state legislative career was a notable leadership position, reflecting the confidence of his Democratic colleagues in the state legislature. His ability to build coalitions and work across party lines has been acknowledged in various legislative contexts, including his bipartisan work on issues such as the NIL foreign investment legislation with Representative Moore.

His congressional career has spanned a significant period in Texas and national politics, during which the demographic and political landscape of the Dallas–Fort Worth area has undergone considerable change. Veasey's sustained electoral success in the 33rd district over multiple election cycles has established him as a durable political presence in North Texas Democratic politics.