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State Representative Hugh D. Shine was the first Republican in Bell County to be elected since 1876 to the Texas House of Representatives in 1986. Shine was elected in a special election and served two consecutive terms. He left the Legislature in 1991, to focus on his family, business, and military career. He returned to the Legislature in 2016 and elected to his fourth term in 2022.

Shine’s political career included a presidential appointment in the Reagan and Bush Administrations, serving on the President’s Intergovernmental Council on Education from 1986-1990. He also served on the Temple City Council and was Mayor Pro-Tem.

During his service in the Legislature, Shine’s committee assignments include the House Ways and Mean, Labor and Employment (Vice-Chairman), Judiciary, Corrections, Business and Industry (Vice Chairman), General Investigating and Ethics, and International Relations and Economic Development.

Highlights of Representative Shine’s legislative accomplishments include joint authorship of Texas’ Economic Stabilization Fund (ESF) better known as the “Rainy Day” fund, created authorization for Bell County’s Underground Water Conservation District and most recently the Constitutional Amendment that grants property tax relief to property owners in the event a disaster declaration is issued by the Governor for the area. He has worked extensively to bring greater transparency, accountability, and fairness to the Texas Property Tax Code. His efforts in the legislature focus on business and commerce initiatives.

Shine’s military career spanned 30 years, six years on active duty and 24 years as a member of the Texas Army National Guard. Colonel Shine was a Master Army Aviator who flew the UH-l, UH-60 and AH-64 helicopters. He served in South Korea, had a tour in South Korea and Bosnia and as the 49th Armored Division Aviation Brigade Commander was responsible for deploying aviation and cavalry assets to Iraq, Bosnia, Afghanistan and other theaters of national interest. Colonel Shine is a graduate of the Army War College.

His professional career in financial services includes 40 years of experience as a financial advisor and branch manager. He holds a BBA from Sam Houston State University, a Masters in Business Administration from Baylor University and graduated from the Wharton School of Business’ executive education program. Shine has served the community on the Temple Reinvestment Zone, The Temple Economic Development Corporation and the Temple Chamber of Commerce.

He and his wife, Debbie, have four children and seven grandchildren and have been married for 34 years. They are members of Temple Bible Church.