Michael McCaul
Michael Thomas McCaul (born January 14, 1962) is an American attorney and Republican politician who has represented Texas's 10th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives since January 2005. [1][2] A fourth-generation Texan raised in Dallas, McCaul graduated from Trinity University with a B.A. in history and business before earning a J.D. from St. Mary's University School of Law; he later worked as a federal prosecutor, including as chief of counterterrorism and national security in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas. [3][1] McCaul's congressional tenure has centered on homeland security and foreign policy, with him serving as chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security during the 113th through 115th Congresses (2013–2019), where he prioritized counterterrorism, cybersecurity, border security, and agency reforms. [4][5] He advanced legislation establishing the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) as a standalone entity within the Department of Homeland Security and codified the Blue Campaign to combat human trafficking. [6] From 2023 to 2025, as the first Texan to chair the House Foreign Affairs Committee, McCaul emphasized threats from adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran, while supporting alliances and aid to partners such as Israel and Ukraine. [7][2] On September 15, 2025, McCaul announced he would not seek re-election after serving 10 terms, citing a desire to conclude his public service focused on protecting American interests amid evolving global challenges. [6] His district encompasses areas from Austin suburbs through Houston's western exurbs, reflecting Texas's economic and energy hubs. [8] McCaul's approach underscores a commitment to institutional strengthening against empirical security risks, drawing from his prosecutorial background in post-9/11 threats. [3][5]
Early Life and Education
Family Background and Upbringing
Michael McCaul was born on January 14, 1962, in Dallas, Texas, to Frances Jane Lott and James Addington McCaul Jr.[9][10] As a fourth-generation Texan, McCaul grew up in a family with deep roots in the state.[3] His father, James Addington McCaul Jr. (1923–1985), served as a bombardier-navigator in a B-17 Flying Fortress during World War II, flying 32 combat missions with the 34th Bombardment Group.[11][12] McCaul's father's unit contributed to the pre-invasion bombing campaigns ahead of Operation Overlord (D-Day) by targeting German airfields and infrastructure.[11][13] McCaul has credited his father's wartime experiences and sense of duty with profoundly shaping his commitment to public service and national defense.[14][15] Raised in Dallas, McCaul attended Jesuit College Preparatory School, a Catholic institution emphasizing discipline and education.[9] During his childhood, he experienced personal loss when his best friend died of cancer at age nine, an event that later influenced his legislative focus on pediatric cancer research.[16] McCaul's upbringing in a patriotic, service-oriented household instilled values of responsibility and protection of American freedoms, as reflected in his later career choices.[17][15]Academic and Early Professional Training
McCaul graduated from Jesuit College Preparatory School in Dallas, Texas, in 1980.[1] He then attended Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business and history in 1984.[3] Following undergraduate studies, McCaul pursued legal education at St. Mary's University School of Law in San Antonio, obtaining his Juris Doctor in 1987; he was later honored as a distinguished graduate by the institution in 2009.[3] In addition to his formal degrees, McCaul completed the Senior Executive Fellows Program at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, which provided advanced training in public administration and policy.[3] Early in his professional career, following law school, he served as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Department of Justice's Public Integrity Section in Washington, D.C., focusing on cases involving government corruption and ethical violations.[18] This role marked his initial immersion in federal law enforcement and prosecutorial practice, building foundational expertise in public sector legal accountability prior to specialized counterterrorism assignments.[18]Pre-Congressional Career
Legal and Prosecutorial Roles
Prior to entering elective office, McCaul began his legal career as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Department of Justice's Public Integrity Section in Washington, D.C., where he handled cases involving public corruption and government accountability.[19] He later served as Chief of the Counterterrorism and National Security Section in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas, overseeing prosecutions related to terrorism threats along the U.S.-Mexico border and coordinating with federal agencies on national security matters.[3] In this role, McCaul led the Joint Terrorism Task Force, facilitating interagency collaboration on counterterrorism investigations in the region following the September 11, 2001, attacks.[20] McCaul's prosecutorial experience emphasized combating organized crime, drug trafficking, and emerging terrorism risks, with his office prosecuting cases tied to border security vulnerabilities.[21] He contributed to efforts addressing public corruption, drawing on his Public Integrity Section background to pursue high-profile cases involving elected officials and law enforcement misconduct.[22] Subsequently, McCaul served as Deputy Attorney General for the State of Texas under Attorney General John Cornyn, focusing on civil litigation, consumer protection, and state-level enforcement of federal laws.[20] In this position, he managed legal teams handling multistate antitrust suits, environmental enforcement, and tobacco litigation settlements, amassing over $15 billion in recoveries for Texas through coordinated state actions.[23] His tenure underscored a commitment to fiscal accountability and intergovernmental cooperation in legal proceedings.[24]Texas State Government Service
McCaul served as a deputy attorney general in the office of the Texas Attorney General from 1999 to 2002, during John Cornyn's tenure as attorney general.[1][18] In this appointed position within the state's chief legal office, he assisted in overseeing civil and criminal litigation, consumer protection efforts, and enforcement of state laws, though specific cases or initiatives directly attributed to him remain sparsely documented in public records.[25] The Texas Attorney General's Office under Cornyn focused on priorities such as tobacco litigation settlements, antitrust enforcement, and defending state interests in federal courts, providing McCaul experience in high-level state prosecutorial and policy work prior to his federal roles.[26]Congressional Elections and District Representation
2004 Election and Entry to Congress
In the Republican primary election for Texas's 10th congressional district on March 9, 2004, no candidate secured a majority of votes, necessitating a runoff. Michael McCaul, a former chief of counterterrorism and national security at the U.S. Department of Justice, advanced to the April 13, 2004, runoff against Ben Streusand, a Houston mortgage banker. McCaul prevailed in the runoff with 15,084 votes (63.15 percent) to Streusand's 8,803 votes (36.85 percent).[27][28] The general election on November 2, 2004, pitted McCaul against Democrat Ted Ankrum, a retired Air Force officer. McCaul won decisively with 189,037 votes (64.5 percent) to Ankrum's 103,853 votes (35.5 percent), marking a Republican gain in a district redrawn by the Texas Legislature's 2003 mid-decade redistricting to favor GOP candidates by incorporating Republican-leaning suburban areas northwest of Houston and around Austin.[29][30] The redistricting, enacted under Republican control of the state legislature, shifted the district's boundaries to reduce Democratic influence compared to the pre-2003 map, contributing to GOP successes in several Texas seats that year.[31] McCaul was sworn in as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for the 109th Congress on January 4, 2005, representing Texas's 10th district, which spans parts of Austin, its suburbs, and the Greater Houston area.[2] His campaign emphasized his prosecutorial experience in combating terrorism and organized crime, aligning with post-9/11 national security priorities.[32]Re-elections and District Redistricting
McCaul secured re-election to the U.S. House in every general election from 2006 through 2024, defeating Democratic opponents with vote shares ranging from 51.1% to 65.1%.[25] His narrowest victories occurred in 2018 against Mike Siegel (51.1% to 46.8%, margin of 4.3 percentage points) and in 2020 against the same opponent (52.5% to 45.3%, margin of 7.2 percentage points), reflecting heightened Democratic turnout in suburban areas amid national polarization.[25] In other cycles, margins were wider, exceeding 18 percentage points, as in 2010 (65.1% to 31.8%) and 2022 (63.3% to 34.3%), bolstered by the district's Republican lean and McCaul's incumbency advantages including fundraising dominance.[25] [33] He faced Republican primary challenges in 2012, 2018, and 2024 but prevailed in each, with no primary noted in most cycles.[25] The following table summarizes McCaul's general election results:| Year | Opponent (D) | McCaul Vote % | Opponent Vote % | Margin (pp) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | David Harris | 55.4 | 42.2 | 13.2 |
| 2008 | Michael Skelly | 54.4 | 43.9 | 10.5 |
| 2010 | Ted Ankrum | 65.1 | 31.8 | 33.3 |
| 2012 | Tawana Cadien | 60.5 | 36.3 | 24.2 |
| 2014 | Tawana Walter-Cadien | 62.2 | 34.1 | 28.1 |
| 2016 | Tawana Cadien | 57.3 | 38.4 | 18.9 |
| 2018 | Mike Siegel | 51.1 | 46.8 | 4.3 |
| 2020 | Mike Siegel | 52.5 | 45.3 | 7.2 |
| 2022 | Linda Nuno | 63.3 | 34.3 | 29.0 |
| 2024 | Theresa Boisseau | 63.6 | 34.0 | 29.6 |
Electoral History Overview
Michael McCaul first won election to represent Texas's 10th congressional district in 2004 following mid-decade redistricting that created an open seat, defeating Democrat David Harris with 61.2% of the vote (167,121 votes to Harris's 95,993).[25] This victory marked the beginning of his uninterrupted tenure in the House, where he has secured re-election in every subsequent cycle through 2024, compiling a record of consistent Republican dominance in a district that encompasses suburban Austin areas, Bryan-College Station, and rural counties leaning conservative overall.[34] McCaul's margins of victory have varied, with his narrowest in 2018 (51.1% to 46.8% against Democrat Mike Siegel, a 4.3% edge) and 2020 (52.5% to 45.3% against Siegel again, a 7.2% margin), reflecting heightened Democratic performance in Travis County amid national anti-incumbent sentiment and presidential-year turnout.[25] Broader margins appeared in off-years or after 2011 redistricting bolstered Republican areas, such as 41.6% in 2010 and 29.6% in 2024 against Democrat Theresa Boisseau (63.6% to 34.0%).[25] Libertarian candidates have consistently drawn 2-4% but rarely influenced outcomes.[25] The following table summarizes McCaul's general election results:| Year | McCaul (R) Votes / % | Democratic Opponent Votes / % | Other Votes / % | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 167,121 / 61.2% | David Harris: 95,993 / 35.2% | 7,514 / 2.8% (L) | 26.0% [25] |
| 2006 | 117,658 / 60.3% | Ted Ankrum: 60,769 / 31.1% | 4,886 / 2.5% (L) | 29.2% [25] |
| 2008 | 186,512 / 60.1% | Larry Joe Doherty: 108,784 / 35.1% | 7,108 / 2.3% (L) | 25.0% [25] |
| 2010 | 153,557 / 65.6% | Jack McDonald: 56,074 / 24.0% | 6,501 / 2.8% (L) | 41.6% [25] |
| 2012 | 159,783 / 60.5% | Tawana Cadien: 95,710 / 36.3% | 8,526 / 3.2% (L) | 24.2% [25] |
| 2014 | 109,726 / 62.2% | Tawana Walter-Cadien: 60,243 / 34.1% | 6,491 / 3.7% (L) | 28.1% [25] |
| 2016 | 179,221 / 57.3% | Tawana Cadien: 120,170 / 38.4% | 13,209 / 4.2% (L) | 18.9% [25] |
| 2018 | 157,166 / 51.1% | Mike Siegel: 144,034 / 46.8% | 6,627 / 2.2% (L) | 4.3% [25] |
| 2020 | 217,216 / 52.5% | Mike Siegel: 187,686 / 45.3% | 8,992 / 2.2% (L) | 7.2% [25] |
| 2022 | 159,469 / 63.3% | Linda Nuno: 86,404 / 34.3% | 6,064 / 2.4% (L) | 29.0% [25] |
| 2024 | 221,229 / 63.6% | Theresa Boisseau: 118,280 / 34.0% | 8,309 / 2.4% (L) | 29.6% [37][25] |
Committee Assignments and Leadership
Homeland Security Committee Chairmanship (2013–2019)
Michael McCaul assumed the chairmanship of the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security on January 3, 2013, at the start of the 113th Congress, succeeding Peter King, and retained the role through the 115th Congress until January 2019.[38] During this period, the committee addressed escalating threats including domestic terrorism, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and border security challenges amid the rise of ISIS and increased migration pressures. McCaul prioritized investigations into intelligence failures and legislative reforms to enhance Department of Homeland Security (DHS) capabilities.[6] Early in his tenure, McCaul directed the committee's investigation into the April 15, 2013, Boston Marathon bombing, which killed three people and injured 264 others using pressure cooker improvised explosive devices. The inquiry, launched in May 2013, examined pre-attack intelligence lapses, particularly the FBI's dismissal of Russian warnings about suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev in 2011 despite indicators of radicalization. Hearings highlighted interagency communication breakdowns and recommended improvements in fusion center operations and threat sharing to prevent future attacks.[39][6] McCaul advanced cybersecurity legislation, authoring H.R. 3359, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Act of 2017, which passed the House unanimously on December 11, 2017, and established the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) as a standalone DHS entity to coordinate protection of critical infrastructure against cyber threats. The bill addressed gaps exposed by incidents like the 2015 Office of Personnel Management breach and rising state-sponsored attacks.[40][6] In 2017, the committee under McCaul passed H.R. 2825, the DHS Authorization Act, marking the first comprehensive reauthorization of the department since its 2002 creation, streamlining operations and bolstering counterterrorism resources.[41] On human trafficking, McCaul sponsored H.R. 4708, the Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign Authorization Act, enacted on February 14, 2018, which codified and expanded DHS's Blue Campaign to enhance law enforcement training, victim identification, and interagency coordination against trafficking networks. The legislation provided dedicated funding and tools, responding to data showing over 10,000 potential cases investigated annually by DHS components like ICE and CBP.[42][43] McCaul also championed H.R. 6439, the Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program Authorization Act of 2018, passed by the House on September 5, 2018, to deploy biometric screening at borders for vetting high-risk travelers and combating transnational crime.[44] In aviation security, McCaul oversaw the 2018 TSA Modernization Act, the first reauthorization of the Transportation Security Administration since 2001, which reformed hiring practices, expanded TSA PreCheck to 10 million enrollees, and integrated Global Entry for faster screening while mandating risk-based approaches to reduce wait times. Under his leadership, the committee advanced 113 bills through the House, with 35 becoming law, focusing on emerging threats like unmanned aircraft systems and chemical facility security.[6][45]