Voice of the Conservative Vote: Cindy Burkett

Cindy Burkett was first elected in 2010 to represent House District 101 in the Texas House of Representatives. House District 101 consisted of Balch Springs, Mesquite, and Sunnyvale. In 2012, Cindy Burkett was elected for a second term, representing House District 113. Currently, Representative Burkett now represents parts of Seagoville, Rowlett, Balch Springs, Mesquite, Sunnyvale, and Garland.

During her first term, she was selected to serve on the Criminal Jurisprudence and Elections Committees. The House Speaker also appointed Rep. Burkett to the Energy Council. As a member of the Energy Council, Rep. Burkett works to facilitate the development of national energy policies among the Southwestern states. During the interim, Rep. Burkett was appointed to a special joint committee to investigate human trafficking. In addition, the House Speaker recently appointed Representative Burkett to the Interim Committee on Texas Response to Federal Sequestration, which will recommend ways that the state can prepare for looming tax increases and spending reductions caused by gridlock in Washington. Representative Burkett was also elected as Vice Chair of the Texas House Republican Caucus by her Republican colleagues for the 83rd Legislative Session.

Representative Burkett was awarded the "Taxpayer Advocate Award" by the Texans for Fiscal Responsibility for her work as a taxpayer advocate during the 82nd Legislature. She also received the "Champion for Free Enterprise" award from the Texas Association of Businesses for her voting record during the 82nd Legislature. Representative Burkett is also active in the National Conference of State Legislators and is currently serving on the Network Advisory Council of the Women's Legislative Network for the organization. This council consists of two members from each state and promotes participation, empowerment, and leadership of women legislators.

Prior to her election to the House of Representatives, Rep. Burkett actively participated in the legislative process. During the 79th Legislative session, she worked for State Senator Bob Deuell as a Legislative Aide on the Finance Committee and during the interim, she served as his Deputy Regional Director. She also represented Senate District 2 on the State Republican Executive Committee.

Representative Burkett is currently the president and co-owner of Highline Enterprises, a company that owns and operates several Subway sandwich shops. She has a Bachelor's of Arts in Political Science from the University of Texas at Arlington, where she graduated in 2004, while maintaining a full time job.

Representative Burkett is also active in and dedicated to the district she represents. One of her proudest accomplishments as a State Representative is the creation of a municipal court of record in Mesquite, Texas. In the past, she sat on the Mesquite Board of Adjustments and on the Board of Keep Mesquite Beautiful. She is an active member of Mimosa Baptist Church.

Cindy married her high school sweetheart, Air Force veteran Mike Burkett, 37 years ago. They have three children and three grandchildren.

"You’d think that politicians would have learned this lesson already. Ronald Reagan and JFK both proved that cutting taxes stimulates the economy. Lower taxes means more money in your pocket, more money to hire people and more money to invest." - Cindy Burkett