Chris Bell is from Abilene, Texas, and grew up in Dallas. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from South Texas College of Law. He and his wife, Alison Ayres Bell, have two sons. The family lives in the Meyerland neighborhood and attends Christ Church Cathedral Episcopal Church.

Chris Bell (Texas) - Ballotpedia

Chris Bell - Wikipedia

Chris Bell was born in Abilene, Texas, and raised in Dallas. He has a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from South Texas College of Law Houston. Bell lives in Houston with his wife, Alison Ayres, and their two children.

Chris is an attorney. He is a partner at Berg Feldman Johnson Bell, LLP. He previously worked as a journalist and TV and radio reporter. 

LinkedIn

Chris currently works as a lawyer specializing in commercial litigation. He previously worked as a partner at multiple law firms, including Berg Feldman Johnson Bell, LLP, Bell Rose & Cobos, and Braun & Gresham, PLLC, and practiced law through his own firm. Bell also worked as a television and radio journalist before entering the legal profession.

Chris previously served one term in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2003 to 2005. He ran for Texas governor in 2006 but did not win. He also ran for a Texas House seat in 1984, a Texas Senate seat in 2008, and for Houston mayor in 2001 and 2015, but did not win those races.

Former Congressman Chris Bell enters Texas governor's race ...

Former U.S. Rep. Chris Bell joins Texas Democrats seeking to ...

Chris previously served as a member of the United States House of Representatives for Texas’ 25th Congressional District. He served one term from 2003 to 2005. He also previously served on the Houston City Council from 1997 to 2002. He ran for governor of Texas in 2006, Texas State Senate in 2008, Mayor of Houston in 2001 and 2015, and for the U.S. Senate in 2020, but did not win.

Democrat Chris Bell is running for Texas governor again, 20 years ...

Supports ethics reform and limiting special-interest influence on economic policy.

Opposes public funds being directed toward private interests at the expense of public services.

Supports increased regulation of insurance markets to reduce household costs.

Emphasizes affordability, livability, and opportunity as core economic priorities.

- Supports ethics reform and limiting special-interest influence on economic policy.
- Opposes public funds being directed toward private interests at the expense of public services.
- Supports increased regulation of insurance markets to reduce household costs.
- Emphasizes affordability, livability, and opportunity as core economic priorities.

Economy

Said, "I trust Texas women — and I believe government should not come between a woman and her doctor."

Supports access to abortion and limiting government involvement in medical decisions.

Supports stem cell research and children’s health coverage.

- Supports access to abortion and limiting government involvement in medical decisions.
- Supports stem cell research and children’s health coverage.

Healthcare

As of January 22, 2026, Chris Bell’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Supports using technology to reduce crime and improve policing.

- Supports using technology to reduce crime and improve policing.

Public Safety

Supports a pathway to citizenship with requirements while avoiding border militarization.

Supported legislation offering residency to same-sex immigrant partners.

- Supports a pathway to citizenship with requirements while avoiding border militarization.
- Supported legislation offering residency to same-sex immigrant partners.

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Opposes the state's new taxpayer-funded education savings accounts program.

Opposes private school voucher program, which allows qualifying families to use tax dollars to send their children to private school, and emphasizes commitment to public schools.

Supports increased public education funding, teacher retention, and affordability in higher education.

- Opposes private school voucher program, which allows qualifying families to use tax dollars to send their children to private school, and emphasizes commitment to public schools.
- Supports increased public education funding, teacher retention, and affordability in higher education.

Education

Voting & Elections

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Chris Bell

Chris Bell was born in Abilene, Texas, and was raised in Dallas. He earned a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from South Texas College of Law Houston. Bell lives in Houston with his wife, Alison Ayres, and their two children.

Linkedin

Chris currently works as a lawyer specializing in commercial litigation. He previously worked as a partner at multiple law firms, including Berg Feldman Johnson Bell, LLP, Bell Rose & Cobos, and Braun & Gresham, PLLC, and practiced law through his own firm. Bell also worked as a television and radio journalist before entering the legal profession and served as a member of the United States House of Representatives after earlier public service on the Houston City Council.

Chris Bell is running for Governor of Texas in the 2026 election. He previously served as a member of the United States House of Representatives for Texas’ 25th Congressional District. He served one term from 2003 to 2005. Bell also previously served on the Houston City Council as an at-large council member. He served from 1997 to 2002. Bell previously ran for Governor of Texas in 2006, winning the Democratic nomination but losing the general election. He also previously ran for Texas State Senate in 2008, for Mayor of Houston in 2001 and 2015, and for the U.S. Senate in 2020, but did not win those elections.

Supports reproductive rights and limiting government involvement in medical decisions.

Supports increased regulation of insurance rates to address affordability.

- Supports reproductive rights and limiting government involvement in medical decisions.
- Supports stem cell research and children’s health coverage.
- Supports increased regulation of insurance rates to address affordability.

Supports using technology to reduce crime and improve policing

Campaign emphasizes ethics reform and restoring public trust

- Supports using technology to reduce crime and improve policing
- Campaign emphasizes ethics reform and restoring public trust

Supports a pathway to citizenship with requirements while avoiding border militarization

Supported legislation offering residency to same-sex immigrant partners

- Supports a pathway to citizenship with requirements while avoiding border militarization
- Supported legislation offering residency to same-sex immigrant partners

Opposes private school voucher program and emphasizes commitment to public schools

Supports increased public education funding, teacher retention, and affordability in higher education

- Opposes private school voucher program and emphasizes commitment to public schools
- Supports increased public education funding, teacher retention, and affordability in higher education

- The governor leads Texas’ executive branch and oversees enforcement of state laws and policies.
- They appoint agency leaders, boards, and commissions, shaping how state government operates.
- They can sign bills into law, veto bills, or allow them to become law without action, and exercise a line-item veto on spending bills.
- They serve a four-year term, elected by popular (plurality) vote, and there are no term limits.
- As of 2025, the governor’s annual salary is about $153,750.
- The governor commands the state’s military forces (Texas Military Forces) when not federalized.
- The governor may grant pardons, reprieves, and commutations with the recommendation of the Board of Pardons and Paroles.