Education- Oral Roberts University, B.S., business administration, 1977; Graduate, Harvard Business School Owner President Manager Program, 1993

Hometown- Wichita Falls

Party- Republican

Senator Estes was first elected to the State Senate in a 2001 Special Election, and then re-elected in 2002, 2004 and 2008. Senator Estes is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Rural Affairs and Homeland Security as well as Vice Chairman for the Senate Natural Resources Committee. He also serves as a member of the Senate Finance, Business and Commerce, and Veterans Affairs and Military Installations Committees.

Senator Estes has been appointed by Governor Rick Perry to serve on the Southern States Biobased Alliance and to the Western States Water Council. Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst appointed Senator Estes to the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee of the Southern Legislative Conference of the Council for State Governments, and Agriculture and Energy Committee for the National Conference for State Legislators. In October 2011, Senator Estes was appointed to the Texas Rural Health and Economic Development Advisory Council by the Lieutenant Governor. Created by the 82nd Legislature, the council will make recommendations regarding the allocation of federal block money grant , establish a rural health risk task force and develop rural policy plans.

During the 2011 session, Senator Estes authored and passed SB 18, the landmark Eminent Domain legislation that protects the private property rights of Texas landowners. Estes also co-authored voter photo ID legislation, helped pass a balanced state budget without raising taxes, promoted stronger border security initiatives and endorsed stronger pro-life legislation.

Senator Estes serves on the Bioenergy Policy Council, which was created through his legislative efforts to expand research and development of domestically produced alternative fuels to promote economic growth, and reduce our dependence on foreign energy.

Senator Estes is a conservative man both personally and politically, and he is committed to promoting conservative principles in his role as a legislator. He serves on the Board of Directors of Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute, and is co-chairman of the Economic Development Task Force.

Senator Estes serves his community, having served on the Young Life Committee of Wichita Falls, the boards of directors of the Rotary Club of Wichita Falls, the Wichita Falls Boys & Girls Club, and the Wichita Falls Faith Mission.

Senator Estes represents the fifth generation from the North Texas area. Senator Estes was born and raised in Wichita Falls. He and his wife Jennifer have three adult children, Abby, Andrew, and Mark, and four grandchildren, John Holt Cunningham, Charles Estes Cunningham, Robert Owen Cunningham, and Caroline Noel Estes.