State Representative Mike Villarreal was born and raised in San Antonio Texas. His father immigrated to the United States from Mexico with his family as a child. His mother is a product of the Edgewood community on the West Side of San Antonio. Together they taught their children the importance of earning an education, working hard and aspiring for a better life.

Mike’s parents sent him to Catholic schools: St. Luke’s Catholic Elementary and Central Catholic High School. While at Central, he began taking classes at San Antonio College. He went on to receive an economics degree at Texas A&M University and later earned a master’s in public policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.

Mike's professional background is in finance. He has worked at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, JP Morgan Securities. He currently directs the San Antonio office for Public Financial Management, the nation's leading public finance advisory firm.  

In 1999, Mike launched a grassroots campaign for the Texas House of Representatives. His prior elected experience was serving as vice president of his neighborhood association in Beacon Hill. To win his election, Mike knocked on over 4,000 doors to meet his voters one-on-one. On election night, Mike won by one vote, defeating a judge backed by the local political establishment. 

Mike is in his 6th term at the State Capitol advancing a public agenda that invests in education, protects our quality of life and environment, values work and aspiration, and ensures that government is accountable to citizens. Mike is known as a lawmaker who listens to all sides, studies the issues, and reaches his own independent decisions.  

Mike is married to Jeanne Russell. They are raising two children, Bella and Marcos. 

Mike brings a great sense of humor to his work. He lived in a state park during the 80th legislative session when the state was renewing its parks department. He appeared on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart poking fun at proposed legislation to regulate sexy cheerleading.