Ernest James Bailes IV, a Republican, represented Texas House District 18 from January 2017 to January 2025. Born on April 13, 1982, in San Jacinto County, Texas, he grew up on his family's beef and dairy cattle operations in Shepherd, East Texas, and worked as a rancher and agriculturist. He founded Repro Select, an advanced reproductive services company for cattle and whitetail deer producers. Notable achievements include authoring a 2017 law enabling Colony Ridge to establish a municipal management district for economic development, supporting conservative legislation on education restrictions, transgender athletes, school materials, and DEI initiatives, and serving on committees for Culture, Recreation, and Tourism, and Energy Resources. He was defeated in the March 2024 Republican primary by Janis Holt.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Graduated from Shepherd High School; earned a Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M University in 2004.
• Political Experience: Elected to Texas House District 18 in 2017, serving three terms until 2025; won 2022 primary with 56% but lost 2024 primary 39%-53%; voted on measures like prohibiting straight-ticket voting and setting franchise tax standards.