Representative James Albon Mattox - Contact Information

James Albon Mattox (August 29, 1943 – November 20, 2008) was an American lawyer and Democratic politician who served as a Representative from Texas in the United States Congress from 1977 to 1983 and as attorney general of Texas from 1983 to 1991. Over the course of three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, he contributed to the legislative process during a significant period in American history, participating in the democratic process and representing the interests of his Texas constituents. He later became a prominent statewide figure, mounting high-profile but unsuccessful campaigns for governor in 1990, for the United States Senate in 1994, and again for attorney general in 1998.

Mattox was born on August 29, 1943, and grew up in Texas, where he was raised in modest circumstances that helped shape his populist political outlook and his later emphasis on consumer protection and public-interest law. His early life in Texas exposed him to the economic and social concerns of working- and middle-class families, experiences that would later inform his legislative priorities and his approach to public service. From a young age he showed an interest in politics and public affairs, which led him to pursue higher education and a career in law as a pathway into public life.

After completing his primary and secondary education in Texas, Mattox attended college and then law school, preparing for a career as an attorney. His legal training provided the foundation for his later work both as a legislator and as the state’s chief legal officer. As a lawyer, he developed expertise in statutory interpretation and public policy, skills that would prove valuable when he entered elective office. His legal background also reinforced his focus on issues such as consumer rights, regulatory oversight, and the proper use of governmental authority.

Mattox’s political career began in Texas state and local politics, where he first gained experience in legislative work and constituent service. Building on this early involvement, he successfully ran for the United States House of Representatives as a Democrat and took office in January 1977. Representing a Texas district during a period marked by economic challenges, energy policy debates, and shifting national priorities, he served three consecutive terms in Congress, from 1977 to 1983. During his tenure in the House of Representatives, he participated fully in the legislative process, working on bills, serving on committees, and advocating for the needs and interests of his district and the broader Texas constituency.

In Congress, Mattox’s work coincided with major national discussions over energy, inflation, and federal spending, and he aligned himself with the Democratic Party’s efforts to address these issues through legislative action. He was known for his active engagement with policy questions affecting Texas, including matters related to the state’s economy and its growing urban centers. His service in the House came at a time of partisan realignment in the South, and he navigated these changes while maintaining a political identity rooted in traditional Texas Democratic values.

Choosing not to seek reelection to the House in 1982, Mattox instead ran for statewide office and was elected attorney general of Texas, assuming that post in 1983. As attorney general, a position he held until 1991, he became one of the most visible public officials in the state. In that role he oversaw the state’s legal affairs, represented Texas in court, and took on cases involving consumer protection, antitrust enforcement, and the regulation of large corporations. His tenure was marked by a reputation for aggressive advocacy on behalf of ordinary Texans, and he used the powers of the office to challenge practices he viewed as unfair or abusive, further solidifying his image as a populist Democrat.

Mattox’s prominence as attorney general made him a leading figure in Texas politics and a natural candidate for higher office. In 1990 he sought the Democratic nomination for governor of Texas, entering a high-profile race that drew statewide and national attention. Although he ran a competitive campaign, he ultimately lost that contest, which marked a turning point as Republicans gained increasing strength in Texas. Undeterred, he continued to pursue higher office, running for the United States Senate in 1994 in another closely watched race. He was again unsuccessful, reflecting the broader partisan shifts underway in the state during the 1990s.

In 1998 Mattox attempted a political comeback by running once more for attorney general of Texas, seeking to return to the office in which he had previously served for eight years. This campaign, like his earlier statewide efforts in the decade, ended in defeat, underscoring the changing political landscape in Texas as Republican candidates consolidated their dominance in statewide elections. After these campaigns, Mattox remained a respected figure within Democratic circles and in the legal community, drawing on his long experience in public life and his record as a former congressman and attorney general.

James Albon Mattox died on November 20, 2008. His career spanned local, state, and national office, and he left a legacy as a Texas Democrat who combined legal expertise with a populist approach to public service. Through his three terms in the United States House of Representatives from 1977 to 1983 and his tenure as attorney general of Texas from 1983 to 1991, he played a notable role in the political and legal life of Texas during a period of significant change.