James is from Odessa, Texas. He attended Texas A&M University. He has a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and a Juris Doctor from Texas A&M University School of Law. He lives with his wife, Lucy, and their six children in Driftwood, Texas.

James E. Trainor III - Wikipedia

Trey Trainor - Ballotpedia

Texas GOP lawyer and former FEC chair Trey Trainor announces ...

James “Trey” Trainor III is originally from Odessa, Texas. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and a law degree from Texas A&M University School of Law. Trey lives in Driftwood with his wife, Lucy, and their six children.

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James E. "Trey" Trainor III

Republican lawyer, government official Trey Trainor on ballot for Congressional District 21

Trey currently works as a partner at Dhillon Law Group Inc. He previously worked as a commissioner, vice chairman, acting chairman, and chairman of the Federal Election Commission; managing partner at Trainor Law Firm, PC; partner at Akerman LLP; special assistant to the secretary at the Department of Defense Office of General Counsel; general counsel to the Texas Secretary of State; general counsel to the Republican Party of Texas; general counsel and chief clerk for the Texas House Committee on Regulated Industries; chief of staff to State Representative Phil King; and partner at Beirne, Maynard & Parsons, L.L.P.

James "Trey" Trainor, III was appointed by President Donald J. Trump to serve on the Federal Election Commission and served as its chairman.

James campaign for U.S. Representative in Texas’ 21st Congressional District is his first run for elected public office.

Supports reducing taxes, spending, and government regulation to increase disposable income and lower costs for Central Texas families.

Supports cutting federal spending and reducing the size of government to address economic conditions

Supports repealing the "Biden natural-gas tax" and opening federal lands for drilling and mining.

Supports repealing taxes on natural gas and opening federal lands for drilling and mining.

Supports eliminating taxes on Social Security benefits.

- Supports cutting federal spending and reducing the size of government to address economic conditions
- Supports repealing taxes on natural gas and opening federal lands for drilling and mining.
- Supports eliminating taxes on Social Security benefits.

Economy

Frames border security as a public safety priority

Supports protecting donor and political speech rights as part of civil liberties

- Frames border security as a public safety priority
- Supports protecting donor and political speech rights as part of civil liberties

Public Safety

Supports defunding Planned Parenthood and all abortion providers.

Supports the "Protecting Babies Who Survive Abortion Act" and the repeal of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act when it is used to target anti-abortion advocates.

Supports the "Protecting Babies Who Survive Abortion Act" and the repeal of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act.

- Supports defunding Planned Parenthood and all abortion providers.
- Supports the "Protecting Babies Who Survive Abortion Act" and the repeal of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act.

Healthcare

As of January 22, 2026, James "Trey" Trainor, III’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Education

Supports restricting federal funding for new battery energy storage systems near major aquifers or in rural areas.

- Supports restricting federal funding for new battery energy storage systems near major aquifers or in rural areas.

Energy & the Environment

Supports abolishing drop boxes and ballot harvesting.

Supports abolishing ballot drop boxes and third parties collecting and submitting absentee or postal ballots.

Supports cleaning up voter rolls to remove "phantom registrations."

Supports requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote.

- Opposes mail-in voting.
- Supports abolishing ballot drop boxes and third parties collecting and submitting absentee or postal ballots.
- Supports cleaning up voter rolls to remove "phantom registrations."
- Supports requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote.

Voting & Elections

Supports defunding "sanctuary cities," mandating E-Verify, and imposing consequences on countries that refuse to accept their deported citizens.

Supports an ‘America First’ foreign policy aligned with Donald Trump

Supports reducing U.S. government scope and influence abroad

Supports decreasing federal authority in immigration governance

- Supports an ‘America First’ foreign policy aligned with Donald Trump
- Supports reducing U.S. government scope and influence abroad
- Supports securing the southern border
- Supports decreasing federal authority in immigration governance

Foreign Policy and Immigration

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James "Trey" Trainor, III

Supports policies to bring back manufacturing jobs, expand small-business deductions, and protect family farms from taxes.

Supports gun rights and wants to "permanently repeal" the Biden administration's pistol-brace rule and "ATF overreach."

Opposes "red-flag" laws, which allow police to seize guns from individuals deemed a threat, and supports defunding federal agencies that attempt to register or confiscate legally owned firearms.

Supports mandating voter identification nationwide.

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James previously served as a Commissioner of the Federal Election Commission, an office that is typically filled through presidential appointment and Senate confirmation. He served one term from 2020 to 2025 and was elected by his fellow commissioners to serve as Chair of the Commission in 2020. Trainor’s campaign for U.S. Representative in Texas’ 21st Congressional District is his first run for elected public office.

- Your US Representative represents the interests of your district in the US House of Representatives, the lower house of Congress. Texas currently has 36 US Representatives.
- US Representatives can author, sponsor, debate, and vote on bills that become national law.
- Representatives may serve on congressional committees. Committees focus on certain policy areas, such as transportation, education, or labor. They may also run for higher positions within their party, such as the Speaker of the House or Majority/Minority Leader.
- Representatives are elected to two-year terms. To hold this office, a candidate must be a legal resident of Texas for at least seven years before their election. US Representatives are paid a salary of $174,000/year.