Steve Toth

Born and raised in New York, Toth attended Pittsford Mendon High School in suburban Rochester. He also attended Rochester Bible College.{{cite web|url=http://www.intelius.com/results.php?ReportType=1&formname=name&qf=Steve&qmi=&qn=Toth&qcs=The+Woodlands%2C+TX&focusfirst=1|title=Steve Toth|publisher=intelius.com|access-date=February 24, 2014}}

Toth is also a commentator on the political show FOX Faceoff which appears on Fox 26 Houston.{{cite news |title=FOX Faceoff |url=http://www.fox26houston.com/fox-faceoff |work=KRIV |location=Houston, Texas |access-date=July 3, 2017}}

Texas House District 15 is based entirely in suburban Montgomery County, centered around The Woodlands. It is part of the Houston Metro area in the southeastern portion of the state.

Toth won the 2012 election to the State House district 15. In February 2013, newly inaugurated Representative Toth was elected by his colleagues to the House Republican Caucus Policy Committee as the East Texas representative on the panel.

In his first legislative session in 2013, Toth authored and carried the CSCOPE Transparency Act in the House (SB-1406). The bill brought the CSCOPE (Common Core) curriculum under the purview of the Texas State Board of Education.{{cite web|url=https://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/138323/steve-toth#.UwtpHsuPIfg|title=Steve Toth's Voting Records|publisher=votesmart.org|access-date=February 24, 2014}}

He authored the Firearms Protection Act (HB 1076) restricting federal control and regulations of firearms, which made it a Class A misdemeanor to interfere with a Texan's Second Amendment rights.{{cite news |date=February 7, 2018 |title=Courier: Toth's legislative success, leadership make him the right choice in HD15 GOP primary |url=https://www.yourconroenews.com/neighborhood/moco/opinion/article/Courier-Toth-s-legislative-success-leadership-12559919.php |work=The Courier of Montgomery County |location=Conroe, Texas |access-date=December 2, 2018}}{{cite news |title=H.B. No. 1076 by Toth |url=https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/83R/billtext/html/HB01076I.htm |publisher=State Capitol of Texas |location=Austin, Texas |access-date=December 3, 2018}} The act also protected Texas' state and local law enforcement officers from violating the U.S. Constitution, and prevented the federal government from targeting certain firearms and accessories with restrictions.{{cite news |date=May 4, 2013 |title=Bill Analysis: HB 1076 Toth, et al |url=https://hro.house.texas.gov/pdf/ba83r/hb1076.pdf |publisher=Texas House Research Organization |location=Austin, Texas |access-date=December 3, 2018}} Texas Monthly Magazine called this the "nuttiest gun bill ever" and placed Steve on their dishonorable mention list of the worst Legislators in Texas that year.[https://www.texasmonthly.com/list/the-best-and-worst-legislators-2013/dishonorable-mentions-3/ "Dishonorable Mentions"], Texas Monthly, Retrieved June 27, 2020. Toth received assistance from Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott in drafting the bill.{{cite news |last= |first= |date=February 21, 2013 |title=Texas bill would block police from enforcing new federal gun laws |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/texas-bill-would-block-police-from-enforcing-new-federal-gun-laws |work=FOX News |location=New York City |access-date=December 3, 2018}} On May 6, 2013, HB 1076 received enough votes to pass in The Texas House but was never approved by The Senate so did not become law.[https://openstates.org/tx/bills/83/HB1076/ Open:States ], HB 1076, Retrieved June 27, 2020. Toth supports constitutional carry for Texas.{{cite web|url=https://votesmart.org/candidate/evaluations/49519/rob-eissler#.Uwts3suPIfg|title=Rob Eissler's Ratings and Endorsements|publisher=votesmart.org|access-date=February 24, 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://votesmart.org/candidate/evaluations/138323/steve-toth#.UwtrB8uPIfg|title=Steve Toth's Ratings and Endorsements|publisher=votesmart.org|access-date=February 24, 2014}}

File:Steve Toth at Alamo Cenotaph.jpg

On January 11, 2019, Toth filed House Bill 792 (Senate Bill 345) with the 86th Legislature and entitled it the Jones Forest Preservation Act ("Jones Forest Act"). The Jones Forest Act protects the 1,722-acre William Goodrich Jones State Forest from development. Texas A&M University suggested that the university would develop a Texas A&M campus on the land, which sits next to The Woodlands, Texas. Neighborhood associations in the area complained that the development would add to traffic congestion and eliminate a forest that has been part of Texas heritage since 1923.Toth, Steve. [https://house.texas.gov/news/press-releases/?id=6609 Creighton and Toth Announce Jones Forest Preservation Act], January 11, 2019.{{cite news |last=Forward |first=Jeff |date=January 15, 2019 |title=Toth, Creighton introduce legislation to protect Jones State Forest from development |url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/woodlands/news/article/Toth-Creighton-introduce-legislation-to-protect-13535517.php |work=Houston Chronicle |location=Houston, Texas |access-date=January 19, 2019}} It was passed by both the Texas House and the Texas Senate and sent to Governor Greg Abbott on May 25, 2019.

In January 2019, he was appointed to the House Appropriations Committee by Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen.Bonnen, Dennis. [https://house.texas.gov/_media/pdf/committee86.pdf Standing Committee Appointments by Committee], Texas House of Representatives, January 23, 2019. On January 25, Toth along with Will Metcalf and Cecil Bell filed House Bill 1042 which would require Texas schools and law enforcement agencies to establish active shooter response plans and law enforcement agencies to conduct annual drills while also requiring law enforcement to immediately contain or eliminate a threat.Rincon, Marialuisa. [https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/woodlands/news/article/Henderson-Toth-seek-to-enhance-emergency-13561907.php Henderson, Toth seek to enhance emergency response in hospitals; host a special threats seminar Friday], Houston Chronicle, January 25, 2019.Kent, Roy. [https://www.houstonchronicle.com/neighborhood/katy/news/article/Bill-would-require-agencies-to-have-plan-for-13561766.php Bill would require agencies to have plan for active shooter situations], Houston Chronicle, January 25, 2019.

On February 7, 2019, Toth filed the JD Lambright Local Government Ethics Reform Act (HB-1495), which requires cities, counties, and other political subdivisions statewide to post contracts they have with taxpayer-funded lobbyists and to post how much they are paying the lobbyists. It was filed in the Senate by Brandon Creighton on February 8 as Senate Bill 710. The house bill was passed by both chambers and was sent to the governor for signature on May 29, 2019.Dominguez, Catherine. [https://www.yourconroenews.com/neighborhood/moco/news/article/Creighton-introduces-ethics-bill-honoring-13700643.php Creighton introduces ethics bill honoring Lambright], Montgomery County Courier, March 19, 2019. Governor Abbott signed the bill into law on June 14, 2019.[https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=HB1495 HB 1495 86th Legislative Session], Texas Legislature Online, June 14, 2019. Signed by the Governor, 06/14/2019.

In February 2019, Toth co-authored Texas House Bill 1500 which would ban abortions after the detection of an unborn child's heartbeat.[https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=HB1500 Bill: HB 1500, Council Document: 86R 9861 SCL-F], Texas Legislature Online - 86th Legislature Regular Session, February 7, 2019. He also co-authored Texas House Bill 896 which would prohibit abortion.[https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=HB896 Bill: HB 896, Council Document: 86R 6142 SCL-F], Texas Legislature Online - 86th Legislature Regular Session, January 17, 2019. In March 2019, Toth became a cosponsor of SB 22 which prohibits government entities from providing taxpayer-funded resources (including cash, goods, services, and anything of value) to Planned Parenthood. It was a response to Planned Parenthood's $1-per-year rental agreement with the City of Austin for a clinic. It passed both chambers and was sent to Abbott on May 25, 2019, for signature.Sundaram, Arya. [https://www.texastribune.org/2019/05/24/texas-abortion-bill-called-biggest-threat-planned-parenthood-passes/ Texas passes bill banning cities from partnering with Planned Parenthood on any services], Texas Tribune, May 24, 2019. The bill was signed into law by Abbott on June 7, 2019.Siese, April. [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-governor-signs-law-banning-cities-and-counties-from-doing-business-with-abortion-providers-today-2019-06-07/ Texas governor signs law banning cities and counties from doing business with abortion providers], CBS News, June 7, 2019.

On March 5, 2019, Toth introduced Texas HB 3145, the School Lunch Bill. It clarifies that each parent, including the non-custodial parent, in a divorce can visit their child during school lunch and school activities regardless of possession schedule. It passed both chambers and was sent to the governor on May 28, 2019.

In March 2019 Toth introduced Texas House Bill 2518 which aims to reduce cannabis possession from a Class B to a Class C misdemeanor. To take it down from B to C would remove jail time for simple possession (180 days is the current penalty) and lower the monetary penalty from $2,000 down to $500.Colen, Aaron. [https://www.leafly.com/news/politics/republicans-are-the-key-to-cannabis-legalization-in-texas Republicans Are the Key to Cannabis Legalization in Texas], Leafy, March 12, 2019.Council Document: 86R 2656 JSC-D. [https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/86R/billtext/pdf/HB02518I.pdf H.B. No. 2518], 86th Legislature Regular Session, Texas Legislature Online.

In August 2020, Toth, along with fellow state representatives Mike Lang, Kyle Biedermann, Bill Zedler, and state senator Bob Hall sued Texas Governor Greg Abbott over a $295 million COVID-19 contact tracing contract Abbott awarded to a small Frisco, Texas technology firm without approval from the Texas legislature.{{Citation |last=Lee |first=David |date=August 4, 2020 |title=Texas GOP Lawmakers Challenge $295M Contact-Tracing Deal |publisher=Courthouse News Service |publication-place=Pasadena, California |url=https://www.courthousenews.com/texas-gop-lawmakers-challenge-295m-contact-tracing-deal/ |access-date=August 6, 2020|quote=State Representatives Mike Lang, Kyle Biederman, William Zedler, Steve Toth and state Senator Bob Hall sued Abbott, a fellow Republican, as well as the Texas Department of State Health Services and Frisco-based MTX Group in Travis County District Court for violations of the Texas Constitution.}} In May 2020, Toth protested Abbott's lockdown order by getting a haircut.{{Cite web|last=Goldenstein|first=Taylor|date=2020-05-05 |title=Texas Republican lawmakers Briscoe Cain and Steve Toth get haircuts, defying Abbott's order |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/article/Texas-Republican-lawmakers-Briscoe-Cain-and-Steve-15248141.php |access-date=2020-11-02 |website=HoustonChronicle.com |language=en-US}}

In November 2020, during the 87th Texas legislative session, Toth filed again the Texas Firearm Protection Act (HB 112), basically the same piece of legislation that he originally filed in January 2019. The previous version passed the Texas House with a 100-vote supermajority but died in the Senate. Governor Greg Abbott assisted Toth in writing the bill in 2013 when Abbott was serving as Texas Attorney General. It is also known as the Second Amendment sanctuary bill. It would make any attempt to enforce federal gun laws in Texas void if those laws were not part of Texas law.[https://thetexan.news/governor-abbott-says-texas-should-be-a-second-amendment-sanctuary/ Governor Abbott Says Texas Should Be a “Second Amendment Sanctuary”], The Texan, January 15, 2021. The bill had 14 co-sponsors including Briscoe Cain, Valoree Swanson, Cecil Bell, and Tony Tinderholt. It was referred to the State Affairs Committee of the House, from which it never progressed. However, a similar bill, House Bill 2622 (by Representative Justin Holland and Senator Bob Hall) passed the Texas House (with Toth's support) and the Texas Senate and was signed by Governor Greg Abbott on June 17, 2021.[https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/gov-abbott-signs-seven-second-amendment-bills-into-law/ar-AAL9EKv Gov. Abbott signs seven Second Amendment bills into law], Channel 7 KLTV, Tyler, Texas, June 17, 2021.

Toth was ranked the fourth most conservative House member of the 2021 Texas legislature by Mark Jones, a political science professor at Rice University.Johnson, Brad. [https://thetexan.news/the-back-mic-analyzing-the-2021-texas-legislatures-conservative-to-liberal-rankings/ The Back Mic: Analyzing the 2021 Texas Legislature’s Conservative to Liberal Rankings], The Texan, June 18, 2021.

On July 19, 2021, Toth introduced a bill to conduct a forensic audit of the November 2020 election in the 13 counties with the largest populations in Texas, which tend to lean for the Democratic Party. The bill has been named the Texas Voter Confidence Act.Solomon, John. [https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/elections/texas-state-lawmaker-introduces-bill-audit-2020-election-results-major Texas state lawmaker introduces bill to audit 2020 election results in major counties], Just The News, July 19, 2021.Morris, Allie. [https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2021/07/20/gop-texas-house-members-seek-forensic-audit-of-november-2020-election-in-states-largest-counties/ GOP Texas House members seek forensic audit of November 2020 election in state’s largest counties], Dallas Morning News, July 20, 2021. Asked why he did not call for an audit of all counties in the state, Toth argued it would be time-consuming and expensive, and cited the Republican lean of the counties, "What’s the point? I mean, all the small counties are red."{{Cite news|title=Texas GOP lawmakers want 2020 election audit — but only in big counties that mostly went for Biden|language=en-US|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/07/22/texas-gop-forensic-audit-toth-paxton/|access-date=2021-07-23|issn=0190-8286}} Election experts said that it did not make sense to specifically exclude Republican-leaning counties if the intent was to detect errors.{{Cite web|date=2021-08-02|title=Texas audit proposed by GOP would miss minor but real errors|url=https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-texas-da6a1217766f02a4bba7440427a98ed4|access-date=2021-08-02|website=AP NEWS|language=en}} On September 23, 2021, former President Donald Trump endorsed Toth's House bill 16.Kitchen, Jeremy. [https://texasscorecard.com/state/trump-implores-abbott-to-add-election-audit-to-special-session-agenda/ Trump Implores Abbott to Add Election Audit to Special Session Agenda], Texas Scorecard, September 23, 2021.

Toth, during the pre-filing period of the Texas legislature, in November 2022, introduced House Bill 41, which would prohibit healthcare providers from receiving professional liability insurance coverage for performing or prescribing certain “gender transitioning” procedures for children, including genital removal surgeries, chemical castration, puberty blockers, and other sex-change therapies.[https://sanantonioreport.org/texas-lawmakers-2023-legislature-bills/ Texas lawmakers target property taxes, election fraud in new legislation ahead of 2023 session], San Antonio Report, November 14, 2022.

Toth supports a ban on Democrats being given committee chairmanships as long as the Republicans hold the majority of seats.Johnson, Brad. [https://thetexan.news/the-back-mic-legislators-opposed-to-democratic-chairs-listed-rep-moody-quells-da-appointment-rumors-house-rules-discussed/ The Back Mic: Legislators Opposed to Democratic Chairs Listed, Rep. Moody Quells DA Appointment Rumors, House Rules Discussed], The Texan, December 9, 2022.

On February 8, 2023, Toth was appointed to the Appropriations and Corrections committees of the 88th Session. Toth has served on the Appropriations Committee every legislative session since 2019.[https://capitol.texas.gov/Members/MemberInfo.aspx?Leg=88&Chamber=H&Code=A2825 Information for Rep. Steve Toth], State of Texas, Texas Legislature Online.

On March 7, 2023, Toth filed HB 3928, which is also known as the Beckley Wilson Act. The Act focuses on public school students with dyslexia, specifically reforming dyslexia services, parental notice, and the rights of parents with students with disabilities. It passed the Texas House on May 22 and passed the Texas Senate on May 23. It is awaiting the signature of Texas Governor Greg Abbott.[https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=HB3928#vote234 Bill: HB 3928, Legislative Session: 88(R)], Texas Legislature Online[https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/html/HB03928S.htm COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 3928]

On May 27, 2023, Toth voted no to impeach Ken Paxton.Astudillo, Carla and Chris Essig. [https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/27/ken-paxton-texas-house-impeachment-vote/ Ken Paxton was impeached by the Texas House. See how each representative voted.], Texas Tribune, May 27, 2023.

In the 2012 Republican primary for the District 15 House seat, the more conservative Toth unseated the five-term incumbent, Rob Eissler, 56.5% to 43.5%.Reeves, Kimberly. [http://www.houstonpress.com/news/rob-eissler-loses-gop-primary-what-it-means-for-next-session-hint-its-not-good-6736557 Rob Eissler Loses GOP Primary: What It Means for Next Session (Hint: It's Not Good)], Houston Press, May 31, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2017. In the general election, Toth defeated the Libertarian Party nominee, Sterling Russell 87% to 13%. No Democrat sought the seat.{{cite web|url=https://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist164_state.htm|title=2012 General election returns (House District 15)|publisher=Texas Secretary of State|location=Austin, Texas|access-date=December 5, 2018|date=November 8, 2006}}

On October 3, 2013, State Senator Tommy Williams said he would not run again in the State Senate Republican primary election scheduled for March 4, 2014.{{cite news|url=http://www.theeagle.com/news/local/article_e2ba8120-5535-5366-9bfb-7c2230da2d53.html|title=Allen Reed, Texas Sen. Tommy Williams to leave Senate; may take job at Texas A&M University System, October 4, 2013|newspaper=Bryan-College Station Eagle|accessdate=October 4, 2013}}{{cite news|url=http://www.theeagle.com/news/local/article_e2ba8120-5535-5366-9bfb-7c2230da2d53.html|title=Allen Reed, Texas Sen. Tommy Williams to leave Senate; may take job at Texas A&M University System, October 4, 2013|newspaper=Bryan-College Station Eagle|access-date=October 4, 2013}}

In the May 10, 2014, special election to fill the Senate seat that Williams left, Toth came in second place behind Brandon Creighton.{{cite news |title=Allen Reed, Texas Sen. Tommy Williams to leave Senate; may take job at Texas A&M University System, October 4, 2013 |newspaper=Bryan-College Station Eagle |url=http://www.theeagle.com/news/local/article_e2ba8120-5535-5366-9bfb-7c2230da2d53.html |access-date=October 4, 2013}}{{cite web |title=Chris Contelesse, "Gordy Bunch, Steve Toth, Brandon Creighton vie for state Senate", October 24, 2013 |url=http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/cypresscreek/news/gordy-bunch-steve-toth-brandon-creighton-vie-for-state-senate/article_dc844168-3cab-11e3-a4b3-0019bb2963f4.html |access-date=February 24, 2014 |publisher=yourhoustonnews.com}}{{cite web |title=Republican primary election returns, March 4, 2014 |url=https://team1.sos.state.tx.us/enr/results/mar04_169_state.htm?x=0&y=9375&id=204 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306040714/https://team1.sos.state.tx.us/enr/results/mar04_169_state.htm?x=0&y=9375&id=204 |archive-date=March 6, 2014 |access-date=March 8, 2014 |publisher=team1.sos.state.tx.us}}Ramsey, Ross. [http://www.texastribune.org/2014/05/10/special-election-fill-empty-senate-seat/ Updated: Special Election to Fill Empty Senate Seat], Texas Tribune, May 10, 2014. Creighton received 45.2%, Toth 23.7%, Gordy Bunch 21.8%, and Mike Galloway 9.3%.

Toth and Creighton then met in a special election runoff on August 5, 2014. In the special election runoff, Toth was defeated by Creighton 67% to 33% percent.{{cite news |title=Creighton Easily Wins Special State Senate Race |first=Eli |last=Okun |author2=John Reynolds |newspaper=Texas Tribune |date=August 5, 2014 |url=http://www.texastribune.org/2014/08/05/tea-party-candidates-face-sd-4-special-election/ |access-date=August 5, 2014}}[http://www.woodlandsonline.com/npps/story.cfm?nppage=53455 Creighton win District 4 State Senate runoff election with commanding lead], WoodslandsOnline, August 5, 2014. Rice University political science professor Mark Jones said both Creighton and Toth "are significantly more conservative than Williams."{{cite news |title=Brandon Creighton to represent Houston area in state Senate |author=Tim Eaton |newspaper=Austin American-Statesman |date=August 5, 2014 |url=http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/brandon-creighton-to-represent-houston-area-in-sta/ngwWn/#41378759.3458706.735450 |access-date=August 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808052412/http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/brandon-creighton-to-represent-houston-area-in-sta/ngwWn/#41378759.3458706.735450 |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |url-status=dead }}

In November 2015, Toth announced his candidacy for Texas's 8th congressional district seat held at the time by Kevin Brady.{{cite news |last=Tresaugue |first=Matthew |date=November 17, 2015 |title=Former state lawmaker Toth to challenge US Rep. Brady |url=http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/woodlands/news/article/Former-state-lawmaker-to-challenge-Brady-6638392.php |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |location=Houston, Texas |access-date=January 7, 2016 |quote=A former state lawmaker from The Woodlands will mount a Republican primary challenge to U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, the House's newest and perhaps most powerful committee chairman.}}{{cite news |last=Tresaugue |first=Matthew |date=December 20, 2015 |title=As Rep. Brady rises on Capitol Hill, he faces primary challenge at home |url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/neighborhood/woodlands/news/article/As-Rep-Brady-rises-on-Capitol-Hill-he-faces-6711766.php |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |location=Houston, Texas |access-date=January 7, 2016 |quote=In this highly charged election season, the race between Brady and Steve Toth reflects tensions within the Republican Party's conservative wing.}}{{cite news |last=Mekelburg |first=Madlin |date=December 14, 2015 |title=Surprise Congressional Challenge Marks Close of Filing |url=http://www.texastribune.org/2015/12/14/filing-deadline-today/ |newspaper=Texas Tribune |location=Austin, Texas |access-date=January 7, 2016 |quote=U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands, faces three primary challengers, including former state Rep. Steve Toth.}} In January 2016, Toth received the endorsement of all Tea Party organizations in Montgomery County, Texas.{{cite news |last=Green |first=Stephen |date=January 7, 2016 |title=Two Tea Party groups endorse Napolitano, Toth |url=http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/courier/news/two-tea-party-groups-endorse-napolitano-toth/article_5efe0c02-5134-516e-8e97-9c58c4f81bf0.html |newspaper=The Courier of Montgomery County |location=Conroe, Texas |access-date=January 8, 2016 |quote=Both parties endorsed challenger Steve Toth, of The Woodlands, in the four-man race for U.S. representative.}} Professor Jones of Rice University stated: "Toth is certainly a more credible challenger than the typical Republican gadfly who is unknown and unfunded."

In the March 1, primary, Toth and two fellow challengers held incumbent Brady to 53 percent of the vote.{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Morgan |last2=Livingston |first2=Abby |date=March 1, 2016 |title=In Texas Congressional Races, Incumbents Stay Safe |url=http://www.texastribune.org/2016/03/01/texas-congressional-races-incumbents-safe-so-far/ |newspaper=Texas Tribune |location=Austin, Texas |access-date=March 2, 2016}} In 2014, Brady had received 68 percent of the vote in the primary. In 2016, Brady prevailed with 64,745 votes (53.4 percent) to Toth's 45,298 (37.4 percent). Two other candidates held the remaining 9.2 percent of the ballots cast. During the primary, Toth and the two other challengers (Craig McMichael and Andre Dean) had an informal détente among themselves. As all three were politically to the right of Representative Brady, and believing none of them would win an outright majority of votes cast their immediate goal was to force a runoff. Their hope was that then the top vote-getter among themselves would face off and defeat Brady for the nomination, but Brady did get over 50% of the vote, avoiding a runoff.Tresaugue, Matthew. [https://www.chron.com/news/article/Rep-Brady-s-challengers-hope-to-set-stage-for-6845864.php "Challengers Hope For Runoff"], Houston Chronicle, Retrieved October 3, 2020.

Toth spent $89,325 on the primary.{{cite news |last1=Elliott |first1=Rebecca |last2=Tresaugue |first2=Matthew |date=March 2, 2016 |title=Green holds off Garcia; Brady, Culberson stave off challenges |url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/politics/houston/article/Green-holds-off-Garcia-Brady-Culberson-stave-6864840.php |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |location=Houston, Texas |access-date=March 2, 2016|quote=His challengers said Brady has compromised too often, most recently by voting for a year-end spending measure that conservative activists say lacked limits on Planned Parenthood or refugees from Syria and Iraq.}} Brady spent over $1.5 million on the primary.{{cite news |date=February 10, 2016 |title=Rep. Kevin Brady |url=https://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00005883 |publisher=OpenSecrets}} Toth criticized Brady for compromising too often with President Obama, supporting the omnibus federal budget bill, and voting to revive the U.S. Export-Import Bank.{{cite news |last=Recio |first=Maria |date=February 29, 2016 |title=Texas primary down-ballot drama: Congress members on the brink |url=http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/election/article63208022.html#storylink=cpy |newspaper=McClatchyDC |location=Washington, DC |access-date=March 2, 2016 }} Toth had support from Tea Party groups. Brady received significant support from the business wing of the Republican Party. FEC filings show leading up to the primary and general elections he received campaign contributions from the following industries: Oil and gas $401K, healthcare $367K, insurance $302K, securities and investments $269K, and pharmaceuticals $261K.Rep. Kevin Brady - Texas District 08. [https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/summary/kevin-brady?cid=N00005883&cycle=2016 Open Secrets], Retrieved October 6, 2020

On May 31, 2017, Toth announced that he would be running for his old Texas House seat, District 15, since the incumbent, Mark Keough, announced he would not be running for re-election but instead run for Montgomery County Judge.{{cite news |last=Svitek |first=Patrick |date=May 31, 2017 |title=State Rep. Mark Keough not running for re-election in 2018 |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2017/05/31/keough-not-running-re-election-2018/ |work=Texas Tribune |location=Austin, Texas |access-date=May 31, 2017|quote=State Rep. Mark Keough, R-The Woodlands, is not running for re-election in 2018 and instead vying to become Montgomery County judge.}}Dominguez, Catherine. [http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Woodlands-legislator-seeks-to-unseat-Montgomery-11190022.php Woodlands legislator seeks to unseat Montgomery County judge], Houston Chronicle, June 1, 2017. Toth's opponent in the Republican primary was Mary "Jackie" Waters of The Woodlands.{{cite news|date=June 30, 2018|title=Candidate/Officeholder Campaign Finance Report: Mary J. Waters|publisher=Texas Ethics Commission|location=Austin, Texas|url=http://204.65.203.5/public/100716891.pdf|access-date=December 4, 2018}}{{cite news |last=Loop |first=Abigail |date=January 5, 2018 |title=Texas House District 15 candidate Steve Toth discusses local issues at forum |url=https://communityimpact.com/houston/the-woodlands/vote/2018/01/05/texas-house-district-15-candidate-steve-toth-discusses-local-issues-forum/ |work=Community Impact Newspaper -- The Woodlands edition |location=The Woodlands, Texas |access-date=February 3, 2018 }} Toth stated that he wanted to reduce property taxes for homeowners by implementing an acquisition-based appraisal system.{{cite news |last=DuBois |first=Andrew |date=May 31, 2017 |title=Former state Rep. Toth seeks return to District 15 seat |url=http://www.yourconroenews.com/neighborhood/moco/news/article/Former-state-Rep-Toth-seeks-return-to-District-11186295.php |work=Courier of Montgomery County |location=Conroe, Texas |access-date=February 3, 2018 }} A taxpayer's home value would be set upon the purchase price, regardless of how long the taxpayer lives in the house. Toth wants to encourage the San Jacinto River Authority ("SJRA") to work on the flood control aspects of its mission statement, instead of keeping Lake Conroe at full capacity for recreational purposes. He has also advocated for the directors of the SJRA board to be elected positions and for the directors to have a civil engineering background, to encourage effective floodplain models.

On March 6, 2018, Toth won the Republican nomination for Texas House District 15 over Waters by 78% to 21%.Zedaker, Hannah. [https://communityimpact.com/guides/houston/the-woodlands/news/at-the-capitol/2018/03/06/state-representative-district-15/ Toth wins Republican nomination for State Representative District 15], Community Impact Newspaper -- The Woodlands edition, March 6, 2018. Toth received the largest vote margin of any candidate in Montgomery County, defeating Waters by 58% of the vote, a three to one margin.Reed, Reagan. [https://empowertexans.com/around-texas/grassroots-conservative-wave-sweeps-montgomery-county/ Grassroots Conservative Wave Sweeps Montgomery County, Pro-reform candidates win big in Montgomery County Republican Primary], Empower Texans, March 7, 2018.

In the November 2018 general election, Toth faced Democrat Lorena Perez McGill of The Woodlands.Murphy, Ryan. [https://apps.texastribune.org/elections/2018/primary-election-results/ Texas Primaries 2018: Full election results], Texas Tribune, March 7, 2018. Toth indicated that in the general election against McGill he would be focusing on lowering property taxes, passing tax reform, and raising teacher salaries. On Election Day, Toth defeated McGill 67% to 33%, a two to one margin.

Toth was unopposed in the March 3, 2020 Republican primary. He faced Democrat Lorena Perez McGill again in the 2020 general election in November. He defeated McGill by a two to one margin, 67% to 33% in 2018.

During the election, he was part of a group of Texas Republicans who filed lawsuits in both state and federal courts seeking to invalidate about 127,000 drive-thru cast votes in Harris County, Texas.{{Cite web|last=McCullough|first=Jolie|date=2020-11-01|title=Texas Supreme Court rejects Republican-led effort to throw out nearly 127,000 Harris County votes|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/11/01/texas-drive-thru-votes-harris-county/|access-date=2020-11-01|website=The Texas Tribune|language=en}} Toth said that the county exceeded their state constitutional authority by allowing drive-thru voting as an alternative to walk-in voting during the COVID-19 pandemic, a change that Toth argued that should have only been decided by the Texas Legislature. Democrats said that this would disenfranchise everybody who cast drive-thru votes in good faith.{{cite news|title=Federal judge sets hearing Monday on challenge to ballots from drive-thru voting in Texas' largest county|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/31/politics/texas-ballots-drive-thru-voting-hearing-monday/index.html|date=October 31, 2020|work=CNN}}{{cite news|title=U.S. Judge to Hear Republican Bid to Void 100,000 Votes in Texas|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2020-10-31/texas-judge-to-hear-republican-bid-to-void-100-000-votes-democrats-fear-election-chaos|date=October 31, 2020|work=U.S. News & World Report}} The Texas Supreme Court dismissed the motion without issuing an order or opinion. Upon this defeat Toth then took the case to federal court, initially losing at the lower court level. Federal Judge Andrew Hanen ruled that the plaintiffs did not have standing to sue.{{cite web|last=Medley|first=Alison|url=https://www.chron.com/news/election2020/article/drive-thru-voting-harris-county-republican-15694256.php|title=Federal judge rejects GOP-led challenge to toss out over 127,000 drive-thru ballots in Harris County|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|date=2020-11-02|access-date=2020-11-02}} After the appeal, nine of the ten drive-thru voting sites were shut down by interim Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins, the outcome that Toth original intended.Castronuovo, Celine. [https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/524138-all-but-one-drive-through-voting-site-in-harris-county-closed-amid-legal All but one drive-through voting site in Harris County closed amid Texas legal battle], The Hill, Washington, DC, November 3, 2020.

On November 3, 2020, Toth again defeated McGill 66.5% to 33.5%, a two-to-one margin.Astudillo, Carla. [https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2020/general-election-results/ Watch live Texas 2020 election results], Texas Tribune, November 3, 2020. McGill raised $44,828, but she spent $58,422.[https://www.transparencyusa.org/tx/candidate/lorena-perez-mcgill Lorena Perez McGill], Transparency USA, Midland, Texas, November 11, 2020.

Toth faced an opponent in the March 1, 2022, Republican primary. His opponent was attorney Maris Blair of The Woodlands, whose law firm primarily collects taxes. Blair has never held office and her late father's law firm is the largest tax collection firm in Texas.[https://www.woodlandsonline.com/npps/story.cfm?nppage=71809 The Woodlands Online, December 15, 2021.] Toth won the Republican primary with 69% of the vote to Blair's 31%, a two-to-one margin of victory. Toth faced schoolteacher Democrat Kristin Johnson of The Woodlands in the general election.[http://elections.mctx.org/electioninfo/eResultsMain.aspx March 1, 2022 Primary Elections], Montgomery County Texas Elections Office, Conroe, Texas, March 1, 2022.Bolender, Ally. [https://communityimpact.com/houston/the-woodlands/election/2022/03/01/updated-incumbent-steve-toth-wins-republican-primary-for-texas-house-district-15/ Incumbent Steve Toth wins Republican primary for Texas House District 15], Community Impact Newspaper Co., March 2, 2022. On November 8, 2022, Toth defeated Johnson 66% to 34%, once again a two-to-one margin.Cumulative Results Report [https://elections.mctx.org/pdf/GEN110822/Cumulative%20Results_11.8.2022.pdf Montgomery County Texas Election Office], November 9, 2022.

File:Pic2--SteveToth--01072025.jpg

Toth faced an opponent in the March 2024 Republican primary named Stephen "Skeeter" Hubert of Conroe, Texas. Hubert was a Conroe ISD school board member, whose appointed term on the board ended in November 2024.[https://www.woodlandsonline.com/npps/story.cfm?nppage=75673 Skeeter Hubert announces run for Texas House District 15], Woodlands Online, April 14, 2023.

Toth campaigned on demanding an end to Democratic committee chairs in the Texas House, supporting school choice, and limiting the House Speaker to two terms to reduce his power over individual Texas House members.Torres, Aarón. [https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/summer-tensions-for-texas-house-republicans-distracting-from-work-that-matters-some-say/ar-BB1pRTsb Summer tensions for Texas House Republicans distracting from work that matters, some say], Dallas Morning News, July 10, 2024.[https://www.contractwithtexas.org/ Contract with Texas], Contract with Texas PAC. Retrieved August 10, 2024.

In the Republican primary on March 5, 2024, Toth defeated Hubert 66% to 34%, winning again by a two-to-one margin. After the victory, Toth said "Priorities include passing a Secure Classroom Act and the Classroom Teachers' Bill of Rights, which will be a companion bill to state Sen. Brandon Creighton's Senate bill."Holt, Vanessa. [https://communityimpact.com/houston/conroe-montgomery/election/2024/03/05/steve-toth-wins-republican-primary-for-texas-house-district-15/ Steve Toth wins Republican primary for Texas House District 15], Community Impact, March 6, 2024. On November 5, 2024, Toth won re-election to the Texas House since no Democrat filed to run against him.

Toth and his wife, Babette Jayne Toth (born 1957), have three children and two grandchildren.{{cite news|url=https://www.texastribune.org/directory/steve-toth/|title=State Rep. Steve Toth District 15 (R-The Woodlands)|work=The Texas Tribune|access-date=December 4, 2018}} They have resided in Montgomery County since 1997.

;2024 Republican primary for Texas 15th district state representative

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Republican primary election results, March 5, 2024[https://elections.mctx.org/pdf/PRI030524/Republican%20Cumulative%20Results6.pdf March 5, 2024 Primary Elections], Montgomery County Texas Elections Office, Conroe, Texas, March 6, 2024.Astudillo, Carla. [https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2024/primary-election-results-2024/ Election results: How Texas voted in the 2024 primary], Texas Tribune, Austin, Texas, March 6, 2024.

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Steve Toth (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 15,960

| percentage = 65.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Stephen “Skeeter” Hubert

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 8,372

| percentage = 34.4

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 24,332

| percentage = 100

}}

{{Election box end}}

;2022 general election for Texas 15th district state representative

{{Election box begin no change

| title = General election results, November 8, 2022

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Steve Toth

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 46,948

| percentage = 65.68

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Kristin Johnson

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 24,529

| percentage = 34.32

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 71,477

| percentage = 100

}}

{{Election box end}}

;2022 Republican primary for Texas 15th district state representative

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Republican primary election results, March 1, 2022[http://elections.mctx.org/electioninfo/eResultsMain.aspx March 1, 2022 Primary Elections], Montgomery County Texas Elections Office, Conroe, Texas, March 1, 2022.Astudillo, Carla. [https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2022/texas-election-results-2022-primary/ Election results: How Texas voted in the 2022 primary], Texas Tribune, Austin, Texas, March 1, 2022.

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Steve Toth

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 13,984

| percentage = 69.22

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Maris Blair

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 6,218

| percentage = 30.78

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 20,202

| percentage = 100

}}

{{Election box end}}

;2020 general election for Texas 15th district state representative

{{Election box begin no change

| title = General election results, November 3, 2020[https://elections.mctx.org/electioninfo/eResultsMain.aspx November 3, 2020 General Election], Texas Secretary of State, November 3, 2020.

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Steve Toth

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 71,586

| percentage = 66.47

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Lorena Perez McGill

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 36,111

| percentage = 33.53

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 107,697

| percentage = 100

}}

{{Election box end}}

;2018 general election for Texas 15th district state representative

{{Election box begin no change

| title = General election results, November 6, 2018[https://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist331_state.htm House District 15th Election Results] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115004347/https://enrpages.sos.state.tx.us/public/nov06_331_state.htm |date=November 15, 2018 }}, Secretary of State of Texas, November 6, 2018.

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Steve Toth

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 52,895

| percentage = 67.17

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Lorena Perez McGill

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 25,843

| percentage = 32.82

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 78,738

| percentage = 100

}}

{{Election box end}}

;2018 Republican primary for Texas 15th district state representative

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Republican primary election results, March 6, 2018[http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist325_county170.htm State of Texas, Office of the Secretary of State, 2018 Republican Party Primary Election], March 6, 2018.

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Steve Toth

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 13,097

| percentage = 78.38

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Mary "Jackie" Waters

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 3,612

| percentage = 21.62

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 16,709

| percentage = 100

}}

{{Election box end}}

;2016 Republican primary for Texas 8th Congressional district

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Republican primary election results, March 1, 2016{{cite news |date=March 2, 2016 |title=U.S. Representative District 8 |url=https://enrpages.sos.state.tx.us/public/mar01_273_race6.htm?x=0&y=155&id=802 |newspaper=Secretary of State of Texas |location=Austin, Texas |access-date=July 4, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306065400/https://enrpages.sos.state.tx.us/public/mar01_273_race6.htm?x=0&y=155&id=802 |archive-date=March 6, 2016 }}{{cite news |date=March 1, 2016 |title=2016 Texas Primary Election Results |url=http://elections.texastribune.org/2016/primary-election-results/ |newspaper=Texas Tribune |location=Austin, Texas |access-date=March 2, 2016 }}

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Kevin Brady (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 64,745

| percentage = 53.39

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Steve Toth

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 45,298

| percentage = 37.36

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Craig McMichael

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 6,021

| percentage = 4.97

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Andre Dean

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 5,196

| percentage = 4.29

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 121,260

| percentage = 100

}}

{{Election box end}}

;2014 special election runoff for Texas 4th district state senator

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Republican special election runoff results, August 5, 2014[https://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist176_state.htm Texas State Senate District 4 Special Election Runoff Results], Secretary of State of Texas, August 5, 2014.

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Brandon Creighton

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 15,232

| percentage = 67.38

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Steve Toth

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 7,373

| percentage = 32.62

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 22,605

| percentage = 100

}}

{{Election box end}}

;2014 special election for Texas 4th district state senator

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Republican special election results, May 10, 2014[https://team1.sos.state.tx.us/enr/results/may10_171_state.html Special Election Results]{{Dead link|date=July 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Secretary of State of Texas, May 10, 2014.

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Brandon Creighton

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 13,705

| percentage = 45.18

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Steve Toth

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 7,193

| percentage = 23.71

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Gordy Bunch

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 6,612

| percentage = 21.80

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Michael Galloway

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 2,818

| percentage = 9.29

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 30,328

| percentage = 100

}}

{{Election box end}}

;2012 general election for Texas 15th district state representative

{{Election box begin no change

| title = General election results, November 8, 2012

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Steve Toth

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 57,520

| percentage = 86.64

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Sterling Russell

| party = Libertarian Party (United States)

| votes = 8,872

| percentage = 13.36

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 66,392

| percentage = 100

}}

{{Election box end}}

;2012 Republican primary for Texas 15th district state representative

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Republican primary election results, May 29, 2012{{cite news |date= May 29, 2017 |title= Texas Secretary of State |location=Austin, Texas |title-link= Secretary of State of Texas }}

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Steve Toth

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 9,630

| percentage = 56.48

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Rob Eissler (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 7,420

| percentage = 43.52

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 17,050

| percentage = 100

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{Ballotpedia|Steve_Toth}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-par|us-tx-hs}}

{{s-bef|before=Mark Keough}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the
Texas House of Representatives
from the 15th district|years=2019–present}}

{{s-inc}}

{{s-bef|before=Rob Eissler}}

{{s-ttl| title=Member of the
Texas House of Representatives
from the 15th district|years=2013–2015}}

{{s-aft|after=Mark Keough}}

{{s-end}}

{{Texas House of Representatives}}

{{Portal bar|New York (state)|Texas|Politics|Conservatism|Christianity}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Toth, Steve}}

Category:1960 births

Category:Living people

Category:Republican Party members of the Texas House of Representatives

Category:Politicians from Rochester, New York

Category:People from The Woodlands, Texas

Category:People from Conroe, Texas

Category:Businesspeople from Texas

Category:American Christian clergy

Category:Pittsford Mendon High School alumni

Category:Businesspeople from Rochester, New York

Category:21st-century members of the Texas Legislature