Teel Bivins
American diplomat and politician
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Miles Teel Bivins (November 22, 1947[1] – October 26, 2009) was an American diplomat and politician. He served as a Republican member for the 31st district of the Texas Senate,[2] and also as the 18th United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Sweden.[1]
Teel Bivins | |
|---|---|
| |
| 18th United States Ambassador to Sweden | |
| In office May 25, 2004 – January 31, 2006 | |
| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Charles A. Heimbold Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Michael M. Wood |
| Member of the Texas Senate from the 31st district | |
| In office January 10, 1989 – January 12, 2004 | |
| Preceded by | Bill Sarpalius |
| Succeeded by | Kel Seliger |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Miles Teel Bivins November 22, 1947 Amarillo, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | October 26, 2009 (aged 61) Texas, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Cornelia, Nancy, Patricia[1] |
| Children | 4[1] |
| Relatives | Lee Bivins (great-grandfather) |
| Education | Tulane University (BA) Southern Methodist University (JD) |
Early life and education
Born in Amarillo, Texas, Bivins was the son of Betty Teel Lovell and Lee Truscott Bivins.[1] He had three brothers.[1] He attended Colorado Academy and then Tulane University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1970.[1] He also attended Southern Methodist University's law school, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1974.[1]
Career
In 1989, Bivins won election in the 31st district of the Texas Senate.[1][2] He succeeded politician Bill Sarpalius. Bivins was listed in Texas Monthly's "The Best and Worst Legislators" four times.[2] In 2004, he was succeeded by Kel Seliger in a special election.[3]
Bivins then served as the 18th United States ambassador to Sweden,[1] having been nominated by President George W. Bush.[1] In 2006, Bivins became ill and resigned from his post; he was succeeded by Michael M. Wood.
Bivins returned to the United States to reside in Texas. He endowed the Teel Bivins Chair of Political Science at West Texas A&M University.[1]
Personal life
Election history
Election history of Bivins from 1992.[4]
Most recent election
2002
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Teel Bivins (Incumbent) | 118,938 | 100.00 | 0.00 | |
| Majority | 118,938 | 100.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Turnout | 118,938 | +21.16 | |||
| Republican hold | |||||
Previous elections
1998
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Teel Bivins (Incumbent) | 98,165 | 100.00 | 0.00 | |
| Majority | 98,165 | 100.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Turnout | 98,165 | −15.34 | |||
| Republican hold | |||||
1994
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Teel Bivins (Incumbent) | 115,951 | 100.00 | 0.00 | |
| Majority | 115,951 | 100.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Turnout | 115,951 | −16.76 | |||
| Republican hold | |||||
1992
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Teel Bivins (Incumbent) | 139,302 | 100.00 | ||
| Majority | 139,302 | 100.00 | |||
| Turnout | 139,302 | ||||
| Republican hold | |||||