State Representative Mike Hamilton is a native of Southeast Texas and has been a successful restaurateur for many years. He is currently a proprietor of a local catering business. In 2002, Mike was elected to represent District 19, which includes Hardin, Newton, and part of Orange County. Serving his first legislative session in Austin, Rep. Hamilton was appointed to the Natural Resources Committee and served as Vice Chairman of the Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee. Rep. Hamilton was also appointed by the Speaker of the House to serve as a member of the Energy Council, which is comprised of legislators from Texas and the surrounding states. At the conclusion of the 78th legislative session, Rep. Hamilton was named by the Republican Caucus as their Outstanding Freshman Legislator of the Year, and was honored by the Texas Association of Realtors who inducted him into their Legislative Hall of Fame.

In the 79th Legislative Session, Rep. Hamilton was appointed to the Local Government Ways & Means Committee, serving as Vice Chairman, and was a member of the Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee. He was also appointed to serve as a member of the Energy Council.

This 80th Legislative Session, Rep. Hamilton was appointed to the Natural Resources Committee where he served as Vice Chairman. He also served on the Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee and the prestigious Calendars Committee.

In the interim of the 80th Legislative Session, Rep. Hamilton was named Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, as well as co-chair of Environmental Flows Advisory Group. The advisory group will oversee the new statutory framework established this past session to protect environmental flow needs in Texas’ rivers and bays. In addition, Rep. Hamilton was named co-chair of the Joint Committee on State Water Funding, a special interim committee looking at funding options for state water programs and projects.

Rep. Hamilton is a civic-minded community servant who supports a wide array of programs and charities in the Southeast Texas region. Rep. Hamilton is also an active member of the Texas Restaurant Association and is a past president. He and his wife Terry have four children: Kevin, Melissa, Lacey, and Michael and the family reside in Mauriceville. He also has three grandchildren, Taylor, Tyler and Gabrielle.