Rep. Four Price reflects on legacy, service of late former Rep. David Swinford

With longtime Texas State Rep. David Swinford passing away Dec. 31 and being laid to rest in Austin Jan. 6, the current State Representative for District 87 Four Price gave his reflections on his predecessor’s service to the Texas Panhandle, prior to the first session of the new Texas Legislature this year.

Swinford, R-Dumas, served in the Texas House of Representatives for 20 years chairing numerous committees, most notably the Agriculture and Livestock Committee. Prior to being elected to the State House, Swinford had served on the Dumas Independent School District and was President of the Moore County School Board of Trustees. He was also a member of the Dumas Lions Club, National Grain and Feed Association, Texas Future Farmers of America and Texas Feed and Grain Association, as well as many other organizations.

When Swinford retired in 2010, Republican Four Price of Amarillo won the election as his replacement and took office in 2011. Price was recently re-elected to his sixth term in the position.

Price spoke about the impact Swinford had on the Texas Panhandle he served and his help acclimating to the position.

“He was such a great resource and friend over the years to discuss issues with and to provide insight with some of his experiences,” Price said. “He always made himself available to me. He introduced me to subject matter experts in different fields. He was always an extraordinarily strong advocate for rural Texas and Texas agriculture. I found his input extremely helpful for my representation of my district.”

Asked about Swinford’s legacy in the Texas Legislature, Price said that he had earned the respect of his colleagues in the House and was looked at as an expert in areas such as agriculture to those he served with.

“Many folks say they appreciated the fact that after 20 years in the Legislature that he was no different than he was when he entered the Legislature," Price said. “I do not think that many people can have that said about them after that amount of time serving.”

Price stressed that with the increased urbanization of Texas that it is increasingly important to advocate for rural interests, and he wants to continue the legacy that Swinford set in being a staunch supporter of the causes that affect the rural areas that he represents.

Asked to reflect on something that many may not remember about Swinford, Price brought up Swinford’s introduction of a bill to remove the Texas Panhandle as its own state as a way to bring recognition to the importance of the area to the rest of the state, as he felt the region was treated as an outlier due to its isolation from the capital.

“When you are 500 miles away from the state’s capital, there are a lot of people that are not familiar with the issues in this region,” Price said. “He was good at reminding people that we are important to the state and a major part of what makes Texas successful. I know that was something of which he was really proud.”

Price said that while he did not know Swinford well before he became a state representative, he became a strong friend and mentor to help him serve the Panhandle that they both know and love.

In a statement, Price said: “I am grateful for David’s service to our state and for his personal friendship. After my election as House District 87 State Representative in 2010, we spoke regularly. David was a strong advocate for the Texas Panhandle. His dedication to public service and to his family will long be remembered. He has the respect and appreciation of many here at home, in Austin and across Texas. He leaves a tremendous legacy and will be missed.”

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Rep. Four Price reflects on late former Rep David Swinford's legacy