Desert Storm Veteran and Conservative Local Physician Ray Callas, Announces Campaign for House District 21

BEAUMONT, TX – Local physician Ray Callas, M.D., is entering the Republican primary race for House District 21. The US Navy veteran, who received two medals for his service during Operation Desert Storm, announced his campaign for the open seat following reports that incumbent former Speaker Dade Phelan will not seek re-election.

“The call to serve continues to ring, and I have never been one to leave that call unanswered. From Desert Storm to the operating room to the Capitol halls, I have given my all to protect life and preserve the liberty forged by our founding fathers,” Dr. Callas said. “As your state representative, I will continue to fight for those values and preserve the Texas way of life.”

Reared on the Texas Coast, Dr. Callas is a proud Texas Aggie and a graduate from the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, where he honed his profession as an anesthesiologist. Before getting his medical degree, Dr. Callas served the US Navy as a Machinist Mate and in the Submarine Service as a veteran of the Persian Gulf War. During his service, he earned the Navy Achievement Medal and a National Defense Medal.

As state representative, Dr. Callas is committed to fixing our state’s broken property tax system to deliver meaningful and lasting relief to Texans, especially seniors. He will also continue the success of President Donald J. Trump’s effort to secure the border and crack down on illegal immigration, strengthen the Texas economy, and block any attempts to infringe on our Second Amendment Rights. As a physician, he will continue to uphold his oath to protect the lives of both the unborn and mothers.

“The same skills that make me a dependable physician — attentive listening, empathy for the situation, and confidence to deliver a winning solution — will make me a trusted and reliable representative in Austin. I will engage with constituents regularly to understand the challenges in our communities. And then I will work with local and state leaders to deliver solutions. Every day, patients trust me with their lives on the operating table. Imagine having that kind of trust in your state representative,” Dr. Callas said.

After leaving the Navy, Dr. Callas returned to his education and began his path as an award-winning physician in Beaumont. But the pull to serve continued, and Dr. Callas has stepped up in both the political and policy arenas. He is currently a commissioner for the Texas Commission on Licensing and Regulation, which oversees all occupational licensing in the state. The governor also appointed Dr. Callas as a Commissioner on the Jefferson & Orange County Pilot Commission. More recently, he served as the President of the Texas Medical Association for the 2025 legislative session, and is an active member of local, state, and national associations for medical professionals.

Locally, Dr. Callas has served on city building and standards commissions, is a graduate of Leadership Beaumont,  serves as advocacy director for the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, and continues to serve as a board member for First Financial Bank. He is also a proud member of the Jefferson County Republican Party, a former Republican National Committee member, and a delegate to the Republican Party of Texas state convention.

Dr. Callas announced his campaign following reports that incumbent former Speaker Dade Phelan will not seek re-election. Dr. Callas extended his gratitude to the outgoing representative for his years of service and for delivering millions in state investments for the region.

To learn more about Dr. Callas and his campaign for Texas House District 21, go to RayCallasforTexas.com.

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