First walking into the Texas State Capitol in 1991 as an intern, Larry Gonzales has since transformed into a leading political mind in the state, possessing a wealth of knowledge related to the state’s agencies, and budgeting and legislative processes.
After serving for more than twenty-five years in the Texas state government, both as a state representative and legislative staffer, Larry brings a distinguished political skillset and extensive expertise to the Husch Blackwell Strategies team.
A lifelong Republican, Larry previously chaired the subcommittee with oversight matters funding agencies relating to natural resources, business and economic development, and regulatory matters. He twice served (2015 and 2017) on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, serving as Subcommittee Chairman for Articles VI, VIII, and VIII of the state budget, and was appointed both in 2015 and 2017 as one of five House members to the budget conference committee.
After serving two years as a Member of the Sunset Advisory Commission, a legislative body charged with evaluating state agencies and making recommendations to improve agency functions, Larry was appointed to serve as Chairman. Larry’s term as Chairman coincided with reviews of the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Railroad Commission and numerous agencies that regulate health care professionals.
In 2010, Larry was elected to the Texas House of Representatives. During the first four legislative sessions after he was elected, Representative Gonzales earned numerous awards and accolades for his legislative efforts. Seen as a rising star in the GOP, he was re-elected in 2012, 2014 and 2016 without Republican primary opposition and minimal opposition in the general election. During his time in public office, Rep. Gonzales was featured in a host of national publications, television programs and radio talk shows spotlighting his robust efforts while serving the great state of Texas.
As a legislative staffer in Austin, Larry worked for then-State Representative Kevin Brady, now chair of the Ways and Means Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. Larry also worked for Lt. Governor Rick Perry, for then-Texas Attorney General John Cornyn (currently U.S. Senator), and previously served as an Assistant Vice Chancellor for the Texas State University System.
A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Government, Larry also holds a Master of Arts degree from the School of Public Administration at Texas State University.
Larry and his wife of twenty-three years, Marie, have two children, Leah and Alexander.