On January 13,2015, Tinderholt succeeded Diane Patrick, a four-term representative whom he unseated in the Republican primary election on March 4,2014.
12 Facts About Tony Tinderholt
1.
2.
Tony Tinderholt won the 2014 Republican nomination over four-term incumbent Diane Patrick, 7,489 votes to 6,018.
3.
Tony Tinderholt was endorsed in his primary challenge by the right-wing group Empower Texans, which targeted Patrick for comparatively moderate positions.
4.
In 2015, Tony Tinderholt filed a handwritten complaint with the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct, criticizing judicial rulings regarding same-sex marriage.
5.
On March 21,2017, Tony Tinderholt criticized then Representative Byron Cook of Corsicana for Cook's refusal to hold a hearing before the House State Affairs Committee on Tony Tinderholt's proposed ban on abortion in Texas.
6.
Tony Tinderholt accused Cook of "hiding behind the office of attorney general" so as to block a vote on the legislation.
7.
In 2017, Tony Tinderholt supported a "bathroom bill" proposed by two fellow Republican state lawmakers, Representative Ron Simmons and Senator Lois Kolkhorst; the legislation would have nullified anti-discrimination ordinances adopted by Texas cities and counties protecting transgender Texans' access to public restrooms that matched their gender identity.
8.
In May 2023, Tony Tinderholt voted against the impeachment of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
9.
In 2025, Tony Tinderholt sponsored a bill to ban gender affirming care for transgender individuals of all ages.
10.
Tony Tinderholt's current wife, Bethany Tyler, is a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader.
11.
Tony Tinderholt married Kimberly Greaves in 1990; they divorced in 1994, re-married in 1995, and divorced again in 1996.
12.
Tony Tinderholt has two children from a previous marriage and a daughter with Bethany Tyler.