Michael U. Villarreal

State Representative Mike Villarreal was born and raised in San Antonio Texas. He was the first in his family to finish college, receiving an economics degree at Texas A&M University and later earning a master’s in public policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.

Rep. Villarreal's professional background is in finance. He has worked at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, and JP Morgan Securities. His last job in public finance was directing the San Antonio office for Public Financial Management, the nation's leading public finance advisory firm.  

Rep. Villarreal is currently working on earning his Ph.D. in Public Policy at the University of Texas in Austin. After completing his degree, he plans to teach and research within his areas of focus in the legislature: public finance and education policy

Since 2000 he has served in the legislature, focusing on pre-kindergarten funding, financial aid for low-income college students, and other education priorities. During the last legislative session he led the fight against the historic budget cuts to education. Following the session, Texas Monthly, Texas Observer, and the San Antonio Current recognized him as one of the state’s best legislators. He currently serves on the Ways and Means Committee, the Appropriations Committee, the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, and the Redistricting Committee.  

He is married to Jeanne Russell. They are raising two children, Bella and Marcos, and are active volunteers at their public school.

You can keep up with Rep. Villarreal on Facebook, Twitter or on  www.mikevillarreal.com.

Research Interests: Education policy; legislative decision making