Joe Moody is a Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives, representing District 78 in northern El Paso County. Born January 9, 1981, in El Paso, Texas, he is a lawyer and serves as Speaker Pro Tempore of the Texas House, a role he has held under multiple speakers, including a reappointment in the 89th Legislature. A lifelong El Pasoan, he is the son of District Judge William Moody and school teacher Magdalena Morales-Moody. He married Adrianne Riley in 2011 and has three children: William, Preston, and Ryleigh. Outside politics, he works as senior counsel for WestStar Bank and is a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church.

Notable achievements include founding and co-chairing the Criminal Justice Reform Caucus, with legislative focus on preventing wrongful convictions, reforming drug and juvenile penalties, and improving access to justice. He has received awards from the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, Texas District and County Attorneys Association, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, and Equality Texas; named top ten legislator by Texas Monthly , Newsmaker of the Year by El Paso Times , and Texan of the Year by Dallas Morning News .

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Details on formal education are not specified in available records; he is a practicing attorney.
• Political Experience: First elected to Texas House District 78 in 2008, he lost in 2010 but regained the seat. Served as Speaker Pro Tempore in the 86th and 87th Legislatures . Current committees: House Administration, General Investigating, Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence, and Criminal Jurisprudence. Term length is 2 years; next election in 2026.