Charles Anderson (Texas politician)

Charles “Doc” Anderson (born June 29, 1945) is a veterinarian from Waco, Texas, who is a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives for District 56. He was first elected in 2004 and has won six additional terms thereafter.
A graduate of the Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine in College Station, Anderson has been a small animal veterinarian in Waco since 1981. He and his first wife, Sandie, have one son, Thomas, and one grandson. He is listed as a resident of Lorena, south of Waco.
Anderson began his involvement in the political process as an advocate for small business. He served on committees for the Texas Association of Business and the National Federation of Independent Businesses and was appointed to the Texas Small Business Advisory Council by former Governor Rick Perry. In 1998 and 2000, he represented Texas as a delegate to the Congressional Small Business Summit in Washington, D.C.
His District 56 encompasses Waco and most of McLennan County. Anderson sits on the Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Committee and the Rules & Resolution Committee. He has been the vice-chairman of the Agriculture and Livestock committee. Additionally, he has been appointed to the statewide Agricultural Policy Council, the multinational Energy Council, and the National Conference of State Legislatures Committee on Agriculture, Energy, and the Environment. Anderson serves on the Community College Caucus, Rural Caucus, Veteran Caucus, Clean Air Caucus, Republican Caucus, and the Texas Conservative Coalition.
Anderson introduced major legislation concerning school bus safety belts, Jessica's Law, and a constitutional amendment to require a two-thirds vote of the legislature to raise the 1 percent business franchise tax. In his first term, he successfully obtained partial funding for the construction of the new Company F Headquarters for the Texas Rangers Division, which houses a public education center for the Rangers. During the 81st session, Anderson worked to secure funding for the Waco skate park and Texas State Technical College in Waco. Anderson has also been a leader in community organizations and in the veterinary medicine profession.
In 2008, Anderson won the Republican renomination for his third term in the House by defeating Jonathan Sibley, a son of former State Senator David McAdams Sibley, Sr., also of Waco.