| State Representative Tony Tinderholt is a father, veteran, and conservative Republican from House District 94. He is serving his third term in the Texas Legislature, representing the people of Arlington, Dalworthington Gardens, and Pantego in Tarrant County.
Tinderholt serves as Vice Chairman of the Defense & Veterans' Affairs Committee and as a member of the Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee. He is also a founding member of the Texas Freedom Caucus and serves as a Deputy Floor Leader for the House Republican Caucus. During each legislative session, he has been ranked in the top 5 most conservative members by a nonpartisan Rice University study.
Tinderholt has been named a "Taxpayer Champion" by Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, "Faith & Family Champion" by Texas Values, and "Courageous Conservative" by Texas Conservative Coalition. Many education, business, pro-life, personal responsibility, transportation, and gun rights groups have also recognized his leadership.
He is the proud father to his four children (Kayley, Nathan, Tyler, & Brenan) and grandfather to one grandson (Jaxon). He is happily married to his wife, Bethany, a loving mother and former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader.
Before his state service, Tinderholt had a decorated military career. He entered active duty Air Force in 1988 as a Spanish Cryptologic Linguist, taking part in counter drug missions throughout South and Central America. Following 9/11, he re-entered active duty, this time in the Army. Tinderholt worked as a platoon leader, executive officer, detachment commander, and recruiting commander, even volunteering to deploy to a combat zone. At one point, he oversaw an $836 million budget and managed a team of over 400.
In his 21 years in the armed forces, Major (Ret.) Tinderholt served tours all around the world. He earned numerous badges, awards, and certifications including the Bronze Star and the Combat Action Badge.
In civilian life, Tinderholt previously educated students as a Spanish professor at Columbia College in Fort Worth. He holds a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership.
The Tinderholt family also loves to give back to their community. They volunteer with many organizations including Spirit of Hope Arlington, Catholic Charities of Fort Worth, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, St. Jude Medical Center, and the Arlington Police Foundation.
Tinderholt is a Lutheran, and his family attends St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church in Southwest Arlington. |