Rep. Frank, James

Biography

Representative James Frank serves the people of the 69th House District, which encompasses Archer, Baylor, Clay, Cottle, Foard, Fisher, Haskell, Hardeman, King, Knox, Motley, Stonewall, Wichita and Wilbarger counties.

A longtime resident of Wichita Falls, Representative James Frank graduated from Rider High School and earned a degree in Finance from Texas A&M University. He then began an eleven year career in banking.

In 2000, James and local investors purchased a metal fabrication business with 15 employees. Through over 20 years of additional acquisitions and growth, James’ primary business interests are three Wichita Falls based manufacturers: Sharp Iron Manufacturing, Transland, and Delta T, with a combined total of over 200 employees.

First elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2012, James served as Chairman of the Human Services Committee from 2019 through 2024. In his capacity as Chairman, James fought for major reforms to the Department of Family and Protective Services, working to make the Department more efficient, effective, and accountable, especially on the issue of child welfare. Of particular note, James spearheaded legislation that transitioned the state’s foster care system to a community-based care model and has passed several bills designed to prevent children from being unnecessarily removed from their families.

Under James’s leadership, the Human Services Committee has also advanced major legislation to improve the state’s Medicaid program. Reforming Medicaid and, more broadly, healthcare in the state of Texas remains a continuing effort throughout James’s time in office. For the 89th Legislative session, James is serving on the Public Education committee and on the Public Health committee, where he is Chairman of the sub-committee on Disease Prevention and Women’s and Children’s Health.

James is passionate about limited government that serves constituents rather than bureaucracy, common sense local control, increased personal freedom and responsibility, and will continue to focus on streamlining the functions of government. He formerly served as President of the Texas Conservative Coalition.

In addition to his legislative work, James remains a respected and involved community leader. He has served on advisory boards of business and community groups, is a director for other local industries, is active in his church, and works with others to provide financing to entrepreneurs in the area.

James and his wife Alisha married in 1989 and have six grown sons, with the family continuing to grow today by adding daughters-in-law and grandchildren.