Garnet Fredrick Coleman is a Democrat who represented Texas House District 147 from 1991 to 2022. Raised in Houston, Texas, by his mother Gloria Jones Coleman and father Dr. John B. Coleman , he retired from the legislature in 2021 citing health reasons after 30 years of service, during which he ranked fifth in House seniority. Notable achievements include expanding children's health insurance through CHIP , simplifying Medicaid access for over 600,000 eligible children, securing $161.5 million for at-risk child care, authoring urban redevelopment legislation , and promoting economic development zones. He was named to the Texas Monthly Ten Best Legislators list twice, received the 2005 Eli Lilly Reintegration Award for mental health efforts, chaired the County Affairs Committee and Texas Legislative Study Group, and served on the Public Health Committee as senior ranking member.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: BA in Political Science and Government, University of St. Thomas ; attended Howard University; graduated from Harvard University's Senior Executive Program for State and Local Government.
• Political Experience: Began career as delegate to 1988 Texas State Democratic Convention and precinct chair in 1990; elected to Texas House in 1991 ; Harris County field director for Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign and Democratic National Convention delegate; founded S.M.A.R.T. Kids youth program ; chair of Legislative Study Group ; member of President Obama’s State Legislators for Health Reform; CEO of Apartments for America, Inc. ; board roles with Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, Midtown Redevelopment Authority, and others; Episcopalian and life NAACP member.