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{{short description|American politician}}
{{short description|American politician}}
{{other people|John Sharp}}
{{other people|John Sharp}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = John Sharp
|name = John Sharp
|image = JohnSpencerSharp2013.jpg
|image = JohnSpencerSharp2013.jpg
|office = 14th Chancellor of the [[Texas A&M University System]]
|office = 14th Chancellor of [[the Texas A&M University System]]
|status= [[Incumbent]]
|term_start = August 15, 2011
|term_start = August 15, 2011
|term_end = June 30, 2025
|preceded = [[Michael D. McKinney]]
|predecessor = [[Mike McKinney]]
|successor =
|office2 = 35th [[Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts|Comptroller of Texas]]
|office2 = 35th [[Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts|Comptroller of Texas]]
|governor2 = [[Ann Richards]]<br>[[George W. Bush]]
|term_start2 = January 3, 1991
|term_end2 = January 2, 1999
|term_start2 = January 3, 1991
|term_end2 = January 2, 1999
|governor2 = [[Ann Richards]]<br />[[George W. Bush]]
|preceded2 = [[Bob Bullock]]
|predecessor2 = [[Bob Bullock]]
|succeeded2 = [[Carole Keeton Strayhorn]]
|successor2 = [[Carole Keeton Strayhorn]]
|office3 = [[Railroad Commission of Texas|Railroad Commissioner of Texas]]
|office3 = [[Railroad Commission of Texas|Railroad Commissioner of Texas]]
|governor3 = [[Bill Clements]]
|term_start3 = January 6, 1987
|term_start3 = January 6, 1987
|term_end3 = January 22, 1991
|term_end3 = January 22, 1991
|governor3 = [[Bill Clements]]
|predecessor3 = [[Clark Jobe]]
|preceded3 = [[Clark Jobe]]
|successor3 = [[Lena Guerrero]]
|state_senate4 = Texas
|succeeded3 = [[Lena Guerrero]]
|district4 = [[Texas Senate, District 18|18th]]
|state_senate4 = Texas
|district4 = [[Texas Senate, District 18|18th]]
|term_start4 = November 20, 1982
|term_start4 = November 20, 1982
|term_end4 = January 13, 1987
|term_end4 = January 13, 1987
|preceded4 = [[John T. Wilson (Texas politician)|John T. Wilson]]
|predecessor4 = [[John T. Wilson (Texas politician)|John Wilson]]
|succeeded4 = [[Ken Armbrister]]
|successor4 = [[Ken Armbrister]]
|state_house5 = Texas
|state_house5 = Texas
|district5 = 40th
|district5 = [[Texas's 40th House of Representatives district|40th]]
|term_start5 = January 9, 1979
|term_start5 = January 9, 1979
|term_end5 = November 20, 1982
|term_end5 = November 20, 1982
|preceded5 = [[Joe Wyatt, Jr.]]
|predecessor5 = [[Joe Wyatt Jr.]]
|succeeded5 = [[Alex Moreno (politician)|Alex Moreno]]
|successor5 = [[Alex Moreno (politician)|Alex Moreno]]
|birth_name = John Spencer Sharp
|birth_name = John Spencer Sharp
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1950|07|28}}
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1950|7|28}}
|birth_place = [[Placedo, Texas|Placedo]], [[Texas]], U.S.
|birth_place = [[Placedo, Texas]], U.S.
|residence = [[College Station, Texas]]
|spouse = {{marriage|Charlotte Sharp|1978 |December 2020|end=died}}
|children = 2
|party = [[Democratic Party of the United States|Democratic]]
|party = [[Democratic Party of the United States|Democratic]]
|spouse = {{plainlist|
|allegiance = [[United States of America]]
* {{marriage|Charlotte Han|1978|December 2020|end=died}}
* {{marriage|Diana Atchison|2023|}}
}}
|children = 2
|education = [[Texas A&M University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br>[[Texas State University]] ([[Master of Public Administration|MPA]])
|allegiance = {{flag|United States}}
|branch = {{army|United States}}
|branch = {{army|United States}}
|serviceyears = 1972–1976
|serviceyears = 1972–1976
|rank = [[Second lieutenant|Second Lieutenant]]
|battles =
|rank = [[Second Lieutenant]]
|unit = [[United States Army Reserve]]
|unit = Reserves
}}
}}


'''John Spencer Sharp''' (born July 28, 1950) is an American [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] politician from [[Texas]], who has served since 2011 as the chancellor of the [[Texas A&M University System]]. From 1991 to 1999, he was the [[Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts]]. From 1979 to 1987, he was a member of both houses of the [[Texas State Legislature]]. From 1987 to 1991, he was one of the three members of the [[Texas Railroad Commission]]. In 1998 and 2002, he was the Democratic Party's nominee for [[Lieutenant Governor of Texas]].
'''John Spencer Sharp''' (born July 28, 1950) is an American [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] politician from [[Texas]], who has served since 2011 as the chancellor of the [[Texas A&M University System]]. From 1991 to 1999, he was the [[Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts]]. From 1979 to 1987, he was a member of both houses of the [[Texas State Legislature]]. From 1987 to 1991, he was a commissioner of the [[Railroad Commission of Texas]]. In 1998 and 2002, he was the Democratic Party's nominee for [[Lieutenant Governor of Texas]].

Sharp is also a principal in the [[Austin, Texas|Austin]] office of the [[Dallas, Texas|Dallas]]-based Ryan & Company, a tax consulting firm. In 2005, he was appointed as chairman of the [[Texas Tax Reform Commission]]. He was appointed by [[Rick Perry]] and the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents as the 14th Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System in 2011. He is set to step down from the position on June 30, 2025.

==Education and early life==
The son of an oil field worker and a school teacher, Sharp grew up in the small farming community of [[Placedo, Texas]]. In 1972, Sharp earned a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree in [[political science]] from [[Texas A&M University]] in [[College Station, Texas|College Station]], where he was a member of Squadron 6 in the [[Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets|Corps of Cadets]] and was elected
[[class president]] his sophomore year, and eventually [[Student government president|Student Body President]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Hardy |first=Michael |date=2017-07-25 |title=Country Revival |url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/country-revival/ |access-date=2023-07-25 |website=Texas Monthly |language=en}}</ref> Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a [[second lieutenant]] in the [[United States Army Reserves]]. He belongs to [[American Legion]]<ref name=TXDirectory/> Post 76 in Austin.

In 1976, Sharp received a master's degree in Public Administration from [[Texas State University]] in [[San Marcos, Texas|San Marcos]] while working full-time in Austin with the Legislative Budget Board.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lbb.state.tx.us/|title=Legislative Budget Board|website=Legislative Budget Board|accessdate=September 18, 2018}}</ref> In 1978, Sharp returned to [[Victoria, Texas|Victoria]], Texas, where he opened a real estate firm<ref name=":1"/> with a partner, the former County Commissioner Gene Martin.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

==Political career==
===Early career===
In 1973, Sharp started working as an analyst for the Texas Legislative Budget Board.<ref name=":1"/> He was selected by the Lt. Governor [[William P. Hobby Jr.]] to be on the 10-man committee that implemented [[zero-based budgeting]].<ref name=B-CSE>{{Cite newspaper |title=Bryan College Station Eagle 01 November 1975|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/1001173380/|access-date=January 5, 2024 |page=4|newspaper=The Bryan-College Station Eagle|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

Sharp began his political career in 1975 as the chief campaign aide in [[Phil Gramm]]'s campaign for the [[1976 United States Senate election in Texas|1976 U.S. Senate election in Texas]]. After being asked by ''[[The Bryan-College Station Eagle]]'' why he decided to take the job, he was quoted, "A perfect set of examples is the federal government's involvement with the [[brucellosis#United States|brucellosis]] program and [[desegregation busing|forced busing]]. I think Gramm has the courage to stop things like that."<ref name=B-CSE/>

===Texas Legislature===
In 1978, Sharp ran unopposed<ref name=Russell>{{cite magazine|last=Russell|first=Jan Jarboe|url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/john-sharp-budget-cuts/|title=John the Knife|magazine=Texas Monthly|date=March 1994}}</ref> and was elected to the [[Texas House of Representatives]] from the 40th District in Victoria and was later named one of the best newcomers to the House by ''[[Texas Monthly]]'', along with [[Bill Messer (politician)|Bill Messer]].<ref name=TenBest>{{cite magazine|last=Burka|first=Paul|url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/the-ten-best-and-the-ten-worst-legislators-1979/|title=1979: The Ten Best and The Ten Worst Legislators|magazine=Texas Monthly|date=July 1979}}</ref> Just a few weeks after his re-election for a third two-year term in the general election of 1982, he ran for the seat left open in the [[Texas Senate]] in the special election that took place after [[John Wilson (Texas politician)|John Wilson]] had won re-election despite already being dead.<ref name=":4">{{Cite newspaper |title=Victoria Advocate 27 Oct 1982|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/438692111 |newspaper=Victoria Advocate |access-date=January 5, 2024 |page=4 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

He won the special election runoff against [[Tim Von Dohlen]] and served a full four-year term in the [[Texas Senate]].<ref name=LRL>{{cite web|url=https://lrl.texas.gov/legeLeaders/members/memberDisplay.cfm?memberID=429|title=John Spencer Sharp|work=Texas Legislators: Past & Present |publisher=Legislative Reference Library of Texas}}</ref><ref name=Russell/> He was appointed to the several committees, including the Senate Committee on Finance in 1985.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lrl.texas.gov/committees/cmtesDisplay.cfm?cmteID=1000|title=Senate Committee on Finance - 69th R.S. (1985)|publisher=Legislative Reference Library of Texas}}</ref> He was elected to the Texas Railroad Commission in 1986.<ref name=Maroon>{{cite news|last=McGee|first=Kate|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/02/john-sharp-tamu-chancellor/|title=Can John Sharp protect his maroon empire?|date=October 2, 2023|publisher=Texas Tribune}}</ref>


In 1985, while in the state legislature, Sharp proposed a law restricting abortion rights in Texas.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Jan Jarboe |date=1994-03-01 |title=John the Knife |url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/john-sharp-budget-cuts/ |website=Texas Monthly |language=en}}</ref> Then-State Treasurer [[Ann Richards]] helped kill the bill.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ratcliffe |first=R. G. |date=2017-09-07 |title=John Sharp, the State's Fixer in Chief, Comes to the Rescue After Harvey |url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/burka-blog/john-sharp-the-states-fixer-in-chief-comes-to-the-rescue-after-harvey/ |website=Texas Monthly |language=en}}</ref> When he ran for statewide office, Sharp moderated his anti-abortion views.<ref name=Russell/>
Sharp is also a principal in the [[Austin, Texas|Austin]] office of the [[Dallas, Texas|Dallas]]-based Ryan & Company, a tax consulting firm. In 2005, he was appointed to serve as chairman of the [[Texas Tax Reform Commission]]. In December 2008, Sharp announced that he would run in 2012 for the [[2012 United States Senate election in Texas|United States Senate]] seat held by the then retiring Republican [[Kay Bailey Hutchison]]. However, Sharp never sought the position, having instead been named the Texas A&M System chancellor.


In 1990, Sharp was elected as the 35th State Comptroller of Public Accounts for the State of Texas. He was re-elected in 1994. In 1998, he did not seek a third term as comptroller but instead lost the race for lieutenant governor to Rick Perry, by 2% of the vote. Government Sharp ran for lieutenant governor again in 2002, but was defeated, losing by 6% to [[David Dewhurst]], then the [[Commissioner of the Texas General Land Office|Land Commissioner]].<ref name=Maroon/>
==Background==
The son of an oil field worker and a school teacher, Sharp grew up in the small farming community of [[Placedo, Texas|Placedo]] in [[Victoria County, Texas|Victoria County]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hlp29|title=Placedo, TX|first=Craig H.|last=Roell|date=June 15, 2010|website=www.tshaonline.org|accessdate=September 18, 2018}}</ref> along the [[Texas Gulf Coast]]. In 1972, Sharp earned a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree from [[Texas A&M University]] in [[College Station, Texas|College Station]], where he was a member of Squadron 6 in the [[Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets|Corps of Cadets]] and was elected Student Body President. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a [[second lieutenant]] in the [[United States Army Reserves]]. He belongs to [[American Legion]] Post 76 in Austin.


Upon taking office as Comptroller, Sharp pledged to "make government work more like our most successful businesses."<ref name=TXDirectory>{{cite web|url=https://www.txdirectory.com/online/person/?id=41581&staff=6010|title=John Sharp|website=Texas State Directory}}</ref> During his eight years as Comptroller, Sharp established the Texas Performance Review (TPR), an ongoing audit on state government. During Sharp's two 4-year terms as Comptroller, the TPR changed the way government does business through the ''Council on Competitive Government''. Other programs implemented under the leadership of Sharp during these eight years included:
In 1976, Sharp received a master's degree in Public Administration from [[Texas State University]] in [[San Marcos, Texas|San Marcos]] while working full-time in Austin with the Legislative Budget Board.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lbb.state.tx.us/|title=Legislative Budget Board|website=www.lbb.state.tx.us|accessdate=September 18, 2018}}</ref> In 1978, Sharp returned to [[Victoria, Texas|Victoria]], Texas, where he opened a real estate firm with partner and former County Commissioner Gene Martin and became a successful small business owner. That same year, he married Charlotte Sharp. The couple has a son, Spencer, and a daughter, Victoria. The Sharps are involved in many community and humanitarian efforts, including airlifts of Jewish families to [[Israel]] from [[Ukraine]] and [[Russia]].
* The [[Texas Tomorrow Fund]]: A pre-paid college tuition plan that allows over 80,000 Texas families to pre-pay to lock in the future costs of their children's college tuition.
* The [[Lone Star Card]]: First recommended by Sharp in 1991. This program switched the state's paper food stamp coupons to computerized bank-type cards.


As Comptroller, Sharp also commanded the [[Texas Lottery]]. He contracted out most of the work, with the state lottery having only 189 employees (compared to California's 1,000 and Florida's 750),<ref name=Russell/> He later turned it over to the new Texas Lottery Commission.
In 1978, Sharp was elected to the [[Texas House of Representatives]] from the 40th District in Victoria and was later named "Outstanding Freshman" by ''[[Texas Monthly]]''. Just a few weeks after his re-election for a third full two-year term in the general election of 1982, he ran and won a special election runoff and served a full four-year term in the [[Texas Senate]]. He was appointed to the powerful Senate Finance Committee. In 1986, he was elected to the Texas Railroad Commission. In that position, he worked to reform the state's trucking regulations, improve railroad safety, and develop new markets for Texas' abundant supply of clean-burning and efficient [[natural gas]].


In 2005, Sharp was asked to head an education task force – called the Texas Tax Reform Commission – charged with preparing a bi-partisan education plan for the state. The special session convened on April 17, 2006. Sharp accepted the offer and removed himself as a potential candidate for governor in 2006. The task force issued its final plan several months later, and the legislature adopted it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coxsmith.com/TaxInfo/ttrc_report.pdf|title=Final Report of the Texas Tax Reform Commission}}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Sharp was nominated for the "Texan of the Year" Award in 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/texanofyear/stories/DN-toy4_27edi.ART.State.Edition1.3e5fbfa.html |title=DMN "Texan of the Year" Nomination # 4: John Sharp|date=December 27, 2006|publisher=Dallas Morning News|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930042112/https://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/texanofyear/stories/DN-toy4_27edi.ART.State.Edition1.3e5fbfa.html|archive-date=September 30, 2007}}</ref> He has taken credit for preventing a [[state income tax]] from being adopted in the state, saying, "I killed the state income tax twice".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tamiu.edu/newsinfo/2024/07/tamuschancellorretirement7124.shtml|title=A&M Chancellor Sharp shares retirement plan|publisher=[[Texas A&M International University]]|date=July 1, 2024}}</ref>
Sharp has received numerous awards, including the only "Texas Quality Award"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.texas-quality.org/|title=Texas Quality - Glass Hummingbird Feeders - Window Hummingbird Feeder|website=Texas Quality|accessdate=September 18, 2018|archive-date=January 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109231325/http://www.texas-quality.org/|url-status=dead}}</ref> ever presented to a governmental agency. Texas State University presented Sharp with the "Distinguished Alumnus Award" in 1996, where he also taught a course on Texas state government for several semesters in the early 2000s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.txstatealumni.org/site/PageServer?pagename=distinguishedalumni9|title=Home - Alumni Association|website=www.txstatealumni.org|accessdate=September 18, 2018}}</ref>


=== Senate campaign ===
==Texas politics==
On December 4, 2008, Republican U.S. Senator [[Kay Bailey Hutchison]] announced the creation of an [[exploratory committee]] for the [[2010 Texas gubernatorial election|Texas governor's race in 2010]]. Had she won the [[Governor of Texas|governorship]], Hutchison would have been required to vacate her Senate seat by January 2011. If she were to stay in the Senate and not run for governor, she would have been up for re-election to the Senate in 2012. On December 8, 2008, Sharp became the first Democrat to announce his intention to [[United States Senate election in Texas, 2012|run for this Senate seat]], regardless of Hutchison's decision. Unlike several other candidates for the office, Sharp did not create an exploratory committee but immediately began raising funds and campaigning in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|last=Robison|first=Clay|url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6153430.html|title=Former Comptroller Sharp to seek U.S. Senate seat|work=Houston Chronicle}}</ref> During his campaign for the Senate, he criticized the governor, Rick Perry, for his comments about [[Texas secession movements|secession]]. He said in a statement, "During World War II my father was shot in defense of the greatest country on Earth, and I proudly wore the uniform of a United States Army reserve officer. So I'm offended when it becomes acceptable for anybody to talk about Texas leaving the Union. I'm running for the United States Senate because we need mainstream, common-sense leadership to clean up the mess in Washington, D.C., not a bunch of radical, anti-American rhetoric."<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Burka|first=Paul|url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/burka-blog/sharp-if-at-first-you-dont-secede/|title=Sharp: If at first you don't secede...|magazine=Texas Montly|date=April 21, 2009}}</ref>


==Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System==
In 1990, Sharp was elected as the 35th State Comptroller of Public Accounts for the State of Texas. He was re-elected in 1994. In 1998, he did not seek a third term as comptroller but instead lost the race for lieutenant governor to [[Rick Perry]], 50-48 percent. Sharp ran for lieutenant governor again in 2002, but was defeated 52-46 percent by [[David Dewhurst]], then the [[Commissioner of the General Land Office|Land Commissioner]].
On August 15, 2011, John Sharp was appointed by Governor Rick Perry and the A&M Board of Regents to be chancellor of the [[Texas A&M University System]]. At the time, Sharp had never worked in academia.<ref name=":1"/> All the members of the Board of Regents that voted to hire Sharp were appointed by Perry.<ref>{{cite web|last=Watkins|first=Matthew|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2017/09/13/m-chancellor-and-hurricane-recovery-czar-john-sharp-balances-two-inten/|title=As A&M chancellor and hurricane recovery czar, John Sharp balances two intensely personal jobs|date=September 13, 2017|website=The Texas Tribune|access-date=August 3, 2023}}</ref>


In 2012, Sharp announced that A&M was selected to develop one of three [[U.S. Department of Health and Human Services]] Centers for Innovation in Advanced Development and Manufacturing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.tamus.edu/2012/06/18/tamus-awarded-national-center-for-innovation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202092909/http://news.tamus.edu/2012/06/18/tamus-awarded-national-center-for-innovation/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 2, 2014 |title=Texas A&M System Awarded National Center for Innovation|date=February 2, 2014|accessdate=September 18, 2018}}</ref> Sharp outsourced the student dining program, landscaping, maintenance, dining and custodial services to private companies, which prompted protests for university employees who feared losing their jobs.<ref name=":1"/><ref>{{cite newspaper|url=http://www.theeagle.com/news/local/article_581a5c56-a751-56ca-bbb0-27367dfcf42b.html|title=Texas A&M System implementing outsourcing at other campuses|first=Allen |last=Reed |accessdate=September 18, 2018|newspaper=The Bryan-College Station Eagle}} {{subscription required}}</ref> Some 1,600 employees of Texas A&M shifted to be employed by Compass Group USA under their contract. Prior to the contract being awarded to Compass Group USA, the company was providing landscaping, building maintenance, custodial and dining services to [[Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/AM-Deal-to-Outsource-Campus-Services-Formalized-166263966.html|title=A&M Deal to Outsource Campus Services Formalized|first=Steve|last=Fullhart|date=August 15, 2012|accessdate=September 18, 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110010134/http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/AM-Deal-to-Outsource-Campus-Services-Formalized-166263966.html|archive-date=November 10, 2013}}</ref> Sharp also leased land owned by Texas A&M to private developers.<ref name=":1"/> He announced a system-wide accountability website known as EmpowerU using software based on the institution-specific accountability website at Texas A&M University.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lloyd|first=Jennifer R.|url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/education/article/A-M-lays-accountability-path-for-graduation-3990877.php|title=A&M lays accountability path for graduation rates, cost effectiveness|date=October 29, 2012|accessdate=September 18, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Hamilton|first=Reeve|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2012/10/29/texas-m-system-unveils-new-accountability-website/|title=Texas A&M System Launches EmpowerU Website|newspaper=The Texas Tribune|date=October 29, 2012 |accessdate=September 18, 2018}}</ref> Sharp also added "Texas A&M" to the names of seven agencies and said the names of [[Prairie View A&M University]] and [[Tarleton State University]] could not be changed as it would require legislation to be passed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wtaw.com/2012/08/02/adding-texas-am-to-more-am-system-agencies/|title=Adding "Texas A&M" To More A&M System Agencies|date=August 2, 2012|accessdate=September 18, 2018|publisher=WTAW: a Bryan broadcasting station}}</ref>
Upon taking office as Comptroller, Sharp began working to fulfill his pledge to "make government work more like our most successful businesses." During his eight years as Comptroller, Sharp established the [[Texas Performance Review]] (TPR), an ongoing audit on state government. During Sharp's two 4-year terms as Comptroller, the TPR identified more than $8.5&nbsp;billion in taxpayer savings and changed the way government does business through such innovations as the ''Council on Competitive Government''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ccg.state.tx.us/ |title=Texas Council on Competitive Government |access-date=December 21, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106212028/http://www.ccg.state.tx.us/ |archive-date=January 6, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Other innovative programs created and implemented by Sharp during these eight years included:


Sharp announced A&M's complete [[mergers and acquisitions|acquisition]] of [[Texas Wesleyan University]]'s School of Law and its renaming to [[Texas A&M University School of Law]] in August 2013.<ref>{{cite web |author=Eagle staff report|url=http://www.theeagle.com/news/local/article_bde63852-3c71-5168-821c-bb1c27b7c96b.html|title=Texas A&M University officially acquires Texas Wesleyan University law school|publisher=The Bryan-College Station Eagle|accessdate=September 18, 2018}}</ref>
* '''Texas School Performance Review''': An outgrowth of TPR, this program has shown public school districts how to save more than $350&nbsp;million, while keeping scarce education funds in the classroom where they belong and easing the burden on local taxpayers.
* '''Texas Window on State Government''':<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.window.state.tx.us/|title=Home Comptroller.Texas.Gov|first=Texas Comptroller of Public|last=Accounts|website=www.window.state.tx.us|accessdate=September 18, 2018}}</ref> The official website for the Texas State Comptroller's Agency was a Sharp innovation during his time as Comptroller. This website – whose stated purpose was to maximize the ability of citizens to engage with the Comptroller's Agency and to access public information more easily – was the first of its kind in the United States, and has served as a model for other state agencies across the country.
* '''The [[Texas Tomorrow Fund]]''': A pre-paid college tuition plan that allows over 80,000 Texas families to lock in the future costs of their children's college at about what they would pay today.
*'''Family Pathfinders''': Sharp's 1995 welfare reform plan formed the heart of some of the most sweeping changes to public assistance in Texas history. It also led to another of Sharp's innovations—Family Pathfinders, which links welfare families with local civic clubs, congregations and businesses to help get jobs and leave the public assistance rolls behind. The Family Pathfinders website for Tarrant County, Texas (as an example) is here:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.familypathfinders.org/history.htm |title=Family Pathfinders of Tarrant County |accessdate=December 22, 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203160209/http://www.familypathfinders.org/history.htm |archivedate=February 3, 2009}}</ref>
*'''The [[Lone Star Card]]''': First recommended by Sharp in 1991. This program spearheaded the nationwide switch from paper food stamp coupons to computerized bank-type cards and dramatically reduced fraud and abuse in the federal program.


In February 2018, two months after [[Jimbo Fisher]] was appointed as the head coach of [[Texas A&M Aggies football|Texas A&M]] football team, Sharp presented him with a plaque commemorating the Aggies' national championship in the year "20--", telling Fisher, "you get to fill in the date".{{refn|name=feb2018|<ref>{{cite web|last=Finger|first=Mike|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/college/article/Finger-At-long-last-Texas-A-M-ready-to-grab-an-15779039.php|title=Finger: At long last, Texas A&M ready to grab an opportunity|website=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=December 5, 2020|access-date=August 3, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Baker|first=Matt|url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/fsu-seminoles/2018/02/28/texas-am-gave-jimbo-fisher-a-national-championship-plaque-just-add-the-year-and-wins/|title=Texas A&M gave Jimbo Fisher a national championship plaque. Just add the year (and wins)|date=February 28, 2018|access-date=August 3, 2023|website=[[Tampa Bay Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Schroeder|first=George|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/columnist/george-schroeder/2018/07/16/sec-media-days-jimbo-fisher/789514002/|title=Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher understands that his timetable is now|date=July 16, 2018|website=USA Today|access-date=August 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718123633/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/columnist/george-schroeder/2018/07/16/sec-media-days-jimbo-fisher/789514002/|archive-date=July 18, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>}} He played a pivotal role in helping the Texas A&M University System receive a 10-year agreement to co-manage the [[Los Alamos National Laboratory]]<ref>{{cite news|last=Carson|first=Dan|url=https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/texas-am-chancellor-john-sharp-retires-19549158.php|title=Texas A&M system chancellor John Sharp announces retirement|date=July 1, 2024|newspaper=Houston Chronicle}}</ref> with the [[University of California System]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Rice|first=Laura|url=https://www.tpr.org/2018-07-18/john-sharp-says-los-alamos-is-safe-in-a-ms-hands|date=July 18, 2018|title=John Sharp Says Los Alamos Is Safe In A&M’s Hands|publisher=Texas Public Radio}}</ref>
As Comptroller, Sharp also commanded the most successful state lottery start-up in U.S. history. With only 189 employees (compared to California's 1,000 and Florida's 750), Sharp's team put their first tickets on sale seven weeks early and set first-day, first-week, and first-year world sales records. By the time he turned the games over to the new '''Texas Lottery Commission''',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.txlottery.org/|title=Texas Lottery|first=Texas|last=Lottery|website=www.txlottery.org|accessdate=September 18, 2018}}</ref> the state was $1&nbsp;billion richer – and Sharp had returned $81&nbsp;million in unspent administrative funds. Sharp's blueprint for the [[Texas Lottery]] was later used by several American states as well as Mexico.


On October 1, 2019, Sharp announced a system-wide ban on [[vaping]], writing in the announcement memo that the "health threat is serious enough that I want to see the ban inside every building, outside space, parking lot, garage and laboratory within the Texas A&M System."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/texas-am-implementing-system-wide-vaping-ban/|title=Texas A&M Implementing System-Wide Vaping Ban|publisher=CBS News Texas|date=October 1, 2019}}</ref>
In 2005, Sharp was asked to head an education task force – called the '''Texas Tax Reform Commission''' – charged with preparing a bi-partisan education plan for the state. The special session convened on April 17, 2006. Sharp accepted the offer and removed himself as a potential candidate for governor in 2006. The task force issued its final plan several months later, and the legislature adopted it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coxsmith.com/TaxInfo/ttrc_report.pdf|title=Final Report of the Texas Tax Reform Commission}}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> For his successful efforts, Sharp was later nominated by the ''[[Dallas Morning News]]'' for "Texan of the Year".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/texanofyear/stories/DN-toy4_27edi.ART.State.Edition1.3e5fbfa.html |title=DMN "Texan of the Year" Nomination # 4: John Sharp|publisher=Dallas Morning News}}</ref>


His contract as chancellor was extended in 2021 by seven years, and was scheduled to end in 2028.<ref>{{cite news|last=Huddlestone|first=Scott|url=https://www.expressnews.com/news/education/article/a-m-chancellor-sharp-retirement-19549092.php|title=Texas A&M University System Chancellor Sharp to retire in a year|newspaper=San Antonio Express-News|date=July 1, 2024}}</ref>
==Texas Proposition 15==
In 2007, Sharp helped spearhead Texas Proposition 15,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/html/HJ00090F.htm|title=Full text of Texas Proposition 15|publisher=Texas State Legislature}}</ref> a proposed amendment to the [[Texas Constitution]] that sought to establish grants for cancer research, grants for cancer prevention and control programs in Texas to mitigate the incidence of cancer, and the purchase of laboratory facilities. Sharp acted as Treasurer for the supporting [[political action committee]], '''Texans to Cure Cancer'''. Proposition 15 passed both houses of the [[Texas Legislature]] in May 2007 and was approved by the voters in November 2007 by a wide margin.


On March 7, 2023, a guest lecture by Texas A&M University professor Joy Alonzo at the [[University of Texas Medical Branch]] (UTMB) criticized Texas Lieutenant Governor [[Dan Patrick (politician)|Dan Patrick]]'s role in the [[Opioid epidemic|opioid crisis]]. Shortly afterward, Patrick contacted Sharp about Alonzo.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=McGee |last2=Barragán |first=Kate |first2=James |date=2023-07-25 |title=Texas A&M suspended professor accused of criticizing Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in lecture |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2023/07/25/texas-a-m-professor-opioids-dan-patrick/ |access-date=2023-07-25 |website=The Texas Tribune |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Barragán |first1=Kate McGee and James |title=Suspended Texas A&M professor denies saying Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick believes overdose victims "deserve to die" |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2023/08/02/texas-dan-patrick-tamu-professor/ |access-date=8 August 2023 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=2 August 2023 |language=en}}</ref> Alonzo was placed on administrative leave immediately, and was formally [[censure]]d by UTMB. The investigation by Texas A&M found no evidence of wrongdoing, and Dr. Alonzo's leave was ended two weeks later.<ref name=":2" /> The vice chancellor of marketing and communications for Texas A&M later said Alonzo "had no issue with how the University handled the situation."<ref>{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Dustin|url=https://www.npr.org/2023/07/26/1190245518/texas-professor-joy-alonzo-investigation-freedom-speech|title=A Texas A&M professor was suspended for allegedly criticizing lieutenant governor|date=July 26, 2023|access-date=August 3, 2023|website=[[NPR]]}}</ref> In the summer of 2023 Sharp spoke at the groundbreaking of the first building for [[Texas A&M University–Fort Worth]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Rodrigues|first=Marcela|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2024/07/01/texas-am-chacellor-retiring-after-more-than-a-decade-leading-university-system|title=Texas A&M chancellor retiring after more than a decade leading university system|newspaper=Dallas Morning News|date=July 1, 2024}}</ref> After the controversy of the botched attempted hiring of A&M graduate and [[University of Texas at Austin]] journalism professor [[Kathleen McElroy]] to revitalize the journalism department at Texas A&M University, Sharp publicly apologized in an op-ed published by the ''[[Austin American-Statesman]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.statesman.com/story/opinion/columns/guest/2023/08/06/am-chancellor-its-time-to-put-our-house-back-in-order/70524345007|title= A&M Chancellor: It's time to put our house back in order|date=August 6, 2023|newspaper=Austin American-Statesman}}</ref>
==Senate campaign==
On December 4, 2008, Republican U.S. Senator [[Kay Bailey Hutchison]] announced the creation of an [[exploratory committee]] for the [[2010 Texas gubernatorial election|Texas governor's race in 2010]]. Had she won the [[Governor of Texas|governorship]], Hutchison would have been required to vacate her Senate seat by January 2011. If she were to stay in the Senate and not run for governor, she would have been up for re-election to the Senate in 2012. On December 8, 2008, Sharp became the first Democrat to announce his intention to [[United States Senate election in Texas, 2012|run for this Senate seat]], regardless of Hutchison's decision. Unlike several other candidates for the office, Sharp did not create an exploratory committee but immediately began raising funds and campaigning in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6153430.html|title=Former Comptroller Sharp to seek U.S. Senate seat|work=Houston Chronicle}}</ref>


On July 1, 2024, Sharp announced he will depart the position on June 30, 2025.<ref name=Ketterer>{{cite news|last=Ketterer|first=Samantha|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/a-m-chancellor-sharp-19549097.php|title=Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp to retire in June 2025|date=July 1, 2024|newspaper=Houston Chronicle}}</ref>
==The Texas A&M University System==


==Personal life==
On August 15, 2011, John Sharp was chosen as chancellor of the [[Texas A&M University System]], the second largest system of higher education in Texas, with a statewide network of 11 universities, seven state agencies, two service units and a comprehensive health science center.
In 1978, he married Charlotte Han. They have a son, Spencer, and a daughter, Victoria. Charlotte died in December 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tamus.edu/charlotte-han-sharp-passes-after-lengthy-illness/|title=Charlotte Han Sharp Passes After Lengthy Illness|date=December 15, 2020|url-status=unfit|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801030555/https://www.tamus.edu/charlotte-han-sharp-passes-after-lengthy-illness/|archive-date=August 1, 2021}}</ref>


He owns a 1,600-acre ranch 30 minutes from College Station where he raises cattle and goats.<ref name=":1"/> After his retirement, he will move to Austin to be close to his children and grandchildren.<ref name=Ketterer/>
A&M System members educate more than 131,000 students and reach another 22 million people through service each year. With more than 28,000 faculty and staff, the A&M System has a physical presence in 250 of the state's 254 counties and a programmatic presence in every one. In 2012, externally funded research expenditures exceeded $783 million to help drive the state's economy.


===Leadership===
==Honors & awards==
Sharp has received numerous awards. Texas State University presented Sharp with the "Distinguished Alumni Award" in 1996, where he also taught a course on Texas state government for several semesters in the early 2000s.<ref>{{cite web |title=Home - Alumni Association |url=http://www.txstatealumni.org/site/PageServer?pagename=distinguishedalumni9 |accessdate=September 18, 2018 |website=www.txstatealumni.org}}</ref> He was awarded the Texas A&M University Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2018.<ref name=Alumnus>{{cite news|url=https://theeagle.com/news/local/chancellor-john-sharp-among-10-honored-with-texas-a-ms-distinguished-alumnus-award/article_f8e69412-3199-5df3-811c-281aeab767fe.html|title=Chancellor John Sharp among 10 honored with Texas A&M's Distinguished Alumnus Award|publisher=The Bryan-College Station Eagle|date=June 11, 2018}}</ref>


In 2022, the City of [[Bryan, Texas|Bryan]] renamed State Highway 47 into John Sharp Parkway, due to his service at A&M, the development of the RELLIS campus, and Texas A&M's expansions into the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wtaw.com/bryan-city-council-unanimously-approves-the-mayors-request-to-rename-highway-47-john-sharp-parkway/|title=Bryan City Council Unanimously Approves The Mayor's Request To Rename Highway 47 "John Sharp Parkway"|website=WTAW: a Bryan broadcasting station}}</ref>
As chancellor of The Texas A&M University System, Sharp has led multiple initiatives to improve efficiency, expand the presence of the A&M System, and serve the needs of the state of Texas.


===List of awards===
Some of these initiatives are detailed below:
* Best Newcomer in the Texas House of Representatives, Texas Monthly, 1979<ref name=TenBest/>{{efn|Jointly awarded with [[Bill Messer (politician)|Bill Messer]].}}
* Distinguished Alumni Award, Texas State University, 1996<ref name=TXState>{{cite web|url=https://alumni.txstate.edu/alumni-stories/awards/1996-1997-yearbook/|title=1996-1997 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients|website=Texas State University Alumni Association}}</ref>
* Person of the Year, Rio Grande Guardian, 2015<ref>{{cite web|last=Reyes|first=Dana|url=https://riograndeguardian.com/rgg-person-of-the-year-john-sharp/|title=RGG Person of the Year: John Sharp|date=December 21, 2015}}</ref>
* Distinguished Alumnus Award, Texas A&M University, 2018<ref name=Alumnus/>


==Notes==
* New Partnership Puts Texas A&M on Top, Chancellor Says<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.texastribune.org/2013/06/19/new-partnership-puts-texas-m-top-sharp-says/|title=New Partnership Puts Texas A&M on Top, Chancellor Says|first=The Texas|last=Tribune|date=June 19, 2013|accessdate=September 18, 2018}}</ref>
{{Notelist}}
* Texas A&M System and GlaxoSmithKline receive U.S. Government approval to establish influenza vaccine facility in Texas<ref>{{cite web|url=http://us.gsk.com/html/media-news/pressreleases/2013/2013-pressrelease-1323146.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201225549/http://us.gsk.com/html/media-news/pressreleases/2013/2013-pressrelease-1323146.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 1, 2014|title=Texas A&M; System and GlaxoSmithKline receive U.S. Government approval to establish influenza vaccine facility in Texas|date=February 1, 2014|accessdate=September 18, 2018}}</ref>
* Texas A&M Deal to Outsource Campus Services Formalized<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/AM-Deal-to-Outsource-Campus-Services-Formalized-166263966.html|title=A&M Deal to Outsource Campus Services Formalized|first=Steve|last=Fullhart|accessdate=September 18, 2018}}</ref>
* Texas A&M System Awarded National Center for Innovation<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.tamus.edu/2012/06/18/tamus-awarded-national-center-for-innovation/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202092909/http://news.tamus.edu/2012/06/18/tamus-awarded-national-center-for-innovation/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 2, 2014 |title=Texas A&M System Awarded National Center for Innovation|date=February 2, 2014|accessdate=September 18, 2018}}</ref>
* Texas A&M University officially acquires Texas Wesleyan University law school<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theeagle.com/news/local/article_bde63852-3c71-5168-821c-bb1c27b7c96b.html|title=Texas A&M University officially acquires Texas Wesleyan University law school|first=Eagle staff|last=report|accessdate=September 18, 2018}}</ref>
* Texas A&M System Launches EmpowerU Website<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2012/10/29/texas-m-system-unveils-new-accountability-website/|title=Texas A&M System Launches EmpowerU Website|first=The Texas|last=Tribune|date=October 29, 2012 |accessdate=September 18, 2018}}</ref>
* Texas A&M lays accountability path for graduation rates, cost effectiveness<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/education/article/A-M-lays-accountability-path-for-graduation-3990877.php|title=A&M lays accountability path for graduation rates, cost effectiveness|date=October 29, 2012|accessdate=September 18, 2018}}</ref>
* Texas A&M System implementing outsourcing at other campuses<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theeagle.com/news/local/article_581a5c56-a751-56ca-bbb0-27367dfcf42b.html|title=Texas A&M System implementing outsourcing at other campuses|first=Allen |last=Reed |accessdate=September 18, 2018}}</ref>
* Texas A&M University System Saving $10 Million of Healthcare<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc40.com/story/22527152/texas-am-university-system-saving-10-million-of-healthcare|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222144319/http://www.abc40.com/story/22527152/texas-am-university-system-saving-10-million-of-healthcare|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 22, 2014|title=Texas A&M University System Saving $10 Million of Healthcare - ABC 40 KRHD-TV - Bryan/College Station News and Weather|date=February 22, 2014|accessdate=September 18, 2018}}</ref>
* Adding “Texas A&M” To More A&M System Agencies<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wtaw.com/2012/08/02/adding-texas-am-to-more-am-system-agencies/|title=Adding "Texas A&M" To More A&M System Agencies|date=August 2, 2012|accessdate=September 18, 2018}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
*[https://chancellor.tamus.edu/about/biography/ Chancellor John Sharp profile]
* [https://chancellor.tamus.edu/about/biography/ Chancellor John Sharp profile]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081216040945/http://www.ryanco.com/about-ryan/bio_sharpj.aspx John Sharp's curriculum vitae on the Ryan & Co website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081216040945/http://www.ryanco.com/about-ryan/bio_sharpj.aspx John Sharp's curriculum vitae on the Ryan & Co website]
*[https://features.texasmonthly.com/editorial/country-revival/ "Country Revival: How the straight-talking, coyote-shooting, tobacco-chewing John Sharp has led a bonanza at Texas A&M." (July 2017)]
* [https://features.texasmonthly.com/editorial/country-revival/ "Country Revival: How the straight-talking, coyote-shooting, tobacco-chewing John Sharp has led a bonanza at Texas A&M." (July 2017)]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120223113631/http://www.ktre.com/Global/story.asp?S=10959049 "McReynolds Endorses Sharp for U.S. Senate" (KTRE Lufkin/Nacogdoches (includes video feed), August 20, 2009)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120223113631/http://www.ktre.com/Global/story.asp?S=10959049 "McReynolds Endorses Sharp for U.S. Senate" (KTRE Lufkin/Nacogdoches (includes video feed), August 20, 2009)]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090826093951/http://www.thecherokeean.com/news/2009/0819/front_page/004.html "Sharp Argues for 'Bubbas' in Bid for Senate" (Cherokeean Herald, August 19, 2009)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090826093951/http://www.thecherokeean.com/news/2009/0819/front_page/004.html "Sharp Argues for 'Bubbas' in Bid for Senate" (Cherokeean Herald, August 19, 2009)]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090713044640/http://www.easttexasreview.com/newspaper.htm?ArticleID=468 "Senate Hopeful to Visit Longview" (East Texas Review, 07/08/09)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090713044640/http://www.easttexasreview.com/newspaper.htm?ArticleID=468 "Senate Hopeful to Visit Longview" (East Texas Review, 07/08/09)]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090202061351/http://klru.org/texasmonthlytalks/archive/sharp.php John Sharp interviewed by Evan Smith on "Texas Monthly Talks" (01/09)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090202061351/http://klru.org/texasmonthlytalks/archive/sharp.php John Sharp interviewed by Evan Smith on "Texas Monthly Talks" (01/09)]
*[https://archive.today/20130118172442/http://www.burntorangereport.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=FCCB04EB42066A0D6AEC512CB47EA5AB?diaryId=7832 "Working on a Dream: Let's Mark Dr. King's Birthday by Rekindling His Spirit of Public Service" (Written by John Sharp, Burnt Orange Report, 01-19-09)]
* [https://archive.today/20130118172442/http://www.burntorangereport.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=FCCB04EB42066A0D6AEC512CB47EA5AB?diaryId=7832 "Working on a Dream: Let's Mark Dr. King's Birthday by Rekindling His Spirit of Public Service" (Written by John Sharp, Burnt Orange Report, 01-19-09)]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090731141027/http://www.riograndeguardian.com//columns_story.asp?story_no=17# "Sharp: Stop bailing out Wall Street, start giving Main Street mortgage relief" (Written by John Sharp, Rio Grande Guardian, December 30, 2008)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090731141027/http://www.riograndeguardian.com//columns_story.asp?story_no=17# "Sharp: Stop bailing out Wall Street, start giving Main Street mortgage relief" (Written by John Sharp, Rio Grande Guardian, December 30, 2008)]
*[http://www.statesman.com/search/content/editorial/stories/12/20/1220sharp_edit.html "Sharp: Don't play the educational blame game" (Written by John Sharp, Austin American-Statesman, December 20, 2008)]
* [http://www.statesman.com/search/content/editorial/stories/12/20/1220sharp_edit.html "Sharp: Don't play the educational blame game" (Written by John Sharp, Austin American-Statesman, December 20, 2008)]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081216122952/http://capitolannex.com/2008/12/12/east-south-east-texas-state-legislators-back-sharp-in-senate-race/ "East & South Texas State Legislators Back Sharp in Senate Race" (Capitol Annex, December 12, 2008)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081216122952/http://capitolannex.com/2008/12/12/east-south-east-texas-state-legislators-back-sharp-in-senate-race/ "East & South Texas State Legislators Back Sharp in Senate Race" (Capitol Annex, December 12, 2008)]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090209215306/http://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/MYSA_062908_OPED_CommentSharp_2c2c849_html.html "John Sharp: Let marketplace govern energy industry" (Written by John Sharp, San Antonio Express-News, June 28, 2008)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090209215306/http://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/MYSA_062908_OPED_CommentSharp_2c2c849_html.html "John Sharp: Let marketplace govern energy industry" (Written by John Sharp, San Antonio Express-News, June 28, 2008)]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081216041013/http://www.klru.org/specialsession/episodes/202.html John Sharp is interviewed about the Texas Tax Reform Commission by Austin's KLRU-TV]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081216041013/http://www.klru.org/specialsession/episodes/202.html John Sharp is interviewed about the Texas Tax Reform Commission by Austin's KLRU-TV]
*[http://www.evolvingexcellence.com/blog/2006/11/more_welfare_wa.html "More Welfare Waste – And A Lesson for Manufacturers" (John Sharp and creation of the Lone Star Card) (Evolving Excellence, November 13, 2006)]
* [http://www.evolvingexcellence.com/blog/2006/11/more_welfare_wa.html "More Welfare Waste – And A Lesson for Manufacturers" (John Sharp and creation of the Lone Star Card) (Evolving Excellence, November 13, 2006)]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081216020507/http://governor.state.tx.us/news/speech/9402/ Text of Governor's Appointment of John Sharp To Lead Tax Reform Panel (November 22, 2005)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081216020507/http://governor.state.tx.us/news/speech/9402/ Text of Governor's Appointment of John Sharp To Lead Tax Reform Panel (November 22, 2005)]
*[http://amarillo.com/stories/012398/046-3569.001.shtml "State Comptroller elaborates on `Lone Star Scholars' idea" (Amarillo Global News, January 23, 1998)]
* [http://amarillo.com/stories/012398/046-3569.001.shtml "State Comptroller elaborates on `Lone Star Scholars' idea" (Amarillo Global News, January 23, 1998)]
*[http://govinfo.library.unt.edu/npr/library/papers/bkgrd/kamensky.html "The U.S. Reform Experience: The National Performance Review" (as inspired by John Sharp) (University of North Texas Libraries, 04/06/1997)]
* [http://govinfo.library.unt.edu/npr/library/papers/bkgrd/kamensky.html "The U.S. Reform Experience: The National Performance Review" (as inspired by John Sharp) (University of North Texas Libraries, 04/06/1997)]
*[http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid:530559 "Sharp Drops Smart Bomb" (Austin Chronicle, 02/09/1996)]
* [http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid:530559 "Sharp Drops Smart Bomb" (Austin Chronicle, 02/09/1996)]
*[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE6D81638F931A2575AC0A965958260&sec=&spon= "Texas Official Is Model for Gore's Public Parsimony" (New York Times, 09/12/1993)]
* [https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE6D81638F931A2575AC0A965958260&sec=&spon= "Texas Official Is Model for Gore's Public Parsimony" (New York Times, 09/12/1993)]
*[http://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+big+audit-a014333673 "The Big Audit" (detailed story of John Sharp's creation of the Texas Performance Review) (State Legislatures, 06/03/1993)]
* [http://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+big+audit-a014333673 "The Big Audit" (detailed story of John Sharp's creation of the Texas Performance Review) (State Legislatures, 06/03/1993)]


{{S-start}}
{{S-start}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] nominee for [[Lieutenant Governor of Texas]]|years=[[1998 Texas gubernatorial election|1998]], [[2002 Texas gubernatorial election|2002]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] nominee for [[Lieutenant Governor of Texas]]|years=[[1998 Texas gubernatorial election|1998]], [[2002 Texas gubernatorial election|2002]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Maria Luisa Alvarado]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Maria Luisa Alvarado]]}}
{{S-end}}
{{s-par|us-tx-sen}}
{{s-bef|before=[[John Wilson (Texas politician)|John Wilson]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the {{nowrap|[[Texas Senate]]}} from [[Texas Senate, District 18|District 18]]|years=1982–1987}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Ken Armbrister]]}}
{{s-par|us-tx-hs}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Joseph P. Wyatt Jr.]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the {{nowrap|[[Texas House of Representatives]]}}<br>from [[Texas's 40th House of Representatives district|District 40]] ([[Victoria, Texas|Victoria]])|years=1979–1982}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Alex Moreno (politician)|Alex Moreno]]}}
{{s-end}}


{{Texas A&M University System chancellors}}
{{Texas A&M University System chancellors}}

Latest revision as of 17:55, 2 July 2024

For other people named John Sharp, see John Sharp (disambiguation).

John Sharp
14th Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System
In office
August 15, 2011 – June 30, 2025
Preceded byMike McKinney
35th Comptroller of Texas
In office
January 3, 1991 – January 2, 1999
GovernorAnn Richards
George W. Bush
Preceded byBob Bullock
Succeeded byCarole Keeton Strayhorn
Railroad Commissioner of Texas
In office
January 6, 1987 – January 22, 1991
GovernorBill Clements
Preceded byClark Jobe
Succeeded byLena Guerrero
Member of the Texas Senate
from the 18th district
In office
November 20, 1982 – January 13, 1987
Preceded byJohn Wilson
Succeeded byKen Armbrister
Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from the 40th district
In office
January 9, 1979 – November 20, 1982
Preceded byJoe Wyatt Jr.
Succeeded byAlex Moreno
Personal details
Born
John Spencer Sharp

(1950-07-28) July 28, 1950 (age 73)
Placedo, Texas, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouses
Charlotte Han
​
​
(m. 1978; died 2020)​
Diana Atchison
​
(m. 2023)​
Children2
EducationTexas A&M University (BA)
Texas State University (MPA)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1972–1976
RankSecond Lieutenant
UnitUnited States Army Reserve

John Spencer Sharp (born July 28, 1950) is an American Democratic politician from Texas, who has served since 2011 as the chancellor of the Texas A&M University System. From 1991 to 1999, he was the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. From 1979 to 1987, he was a member of both houses of the Texas State Legislature. From 1987 to 1991, he was a commissioner of the Railroad Commission of Texas. In 1998 and 2002, he was the Democratic Party's nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Texas.

Sharp is also a principal in the Austin office of the Dallas-based Ryan & Company, a tax consulting firm. In 2005, he was appointed as chairman of the Texas Tax Reform Commission. He was appointed by Rick Perry and the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents as the 14th Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System in 2011. He is set to step down from the position on June 30, 2025.

Education and early life[edit]

The son of an oil field worker and a school teacher, Sharp grew up in the small farming community of Placedo, Texas. In 1972, Sharp earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Texas A&M University in College Station, where he was a member of Squadron 6 in the Corps of Cadets and was elected class president his sophomore year, and eventually Student Body President.[1] Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army Reserves. He belongs to American Legion[2] Post 76 in Austin.

In 1976, Sharp received a master's degree in Public Administration from Texas State University in San Marcos while working full-time in Austin with the Legislative Budget Board.[3] In 1978, Sharp returned to Victoria, Texas, where he opened a real estate firm[1] with a partner, the former County Commissioner Gene Martin.[citation needed]

Political career[edit]

Early career[edit]

In 1973, Sharp started working as an analyst for the Texas Legislative Budget Board.[1] He was selected by the Lt. Governor William P. Hobby Jr. to be on the 10-man committee that implemented zero-based budgeting.[4]

Sharp began his political career in 1975 as the chief campaign aide in Phil Gramm's campaign for the 1976 U.S. Senate election in Texas. After being asked by The Bryan-College Station Eagle why he decided to take the job, he was quoted, "A perfect set of examples is the federal government's involvement with the brucellosis program and forced busing. I think Gramm has the courage to stop things like that."[4]

Texas Legislature[edit]

In 1978, Sharp ran unopposed[5] and was elected to the Texas House of Representatives from the 40th District in Victoria and was later named one of the best newcomers to the House by Texas Monthly, along with Bill Messer.[6] Just a few weeks after his re-election for a third two-year term in the general election of 1982, he ran for the seat left open in the Texas Senate in the special election that took place after John Wilson had won re-election despite already being dead.[7]

He won the special election runoff against Tim Von Dohlen and served a full four-year term in the Texas Senate.[8][5] He was appointed to the several committees, including the Senate Committee on Finance in 1985.[9] He was elected to the Texas Railroad Commission in 1986.[10]

In 1985, while in the state legislature, Sharp proposed a law restricting abortion rights in Texas.[11] Then-State Treasurer Ann Richards helped kill the bill.[12] When he ran for statewide office, Sharp moderated his anti-abortion views.[5]

In 1990, Sharp was elected as the 35th State Comptroller of Public Accounts for the State of Texas. He was re-elected in 1994. In 1998, he did not seek a third term as comptroller but instead lost the race for lieutenant governor to Rick Perry, by 2% of the vote. Government Sharp ran for lieutenant governor again in 2002, but was defeated, losing by 6% to David Dewhurst, then the Land Commissioner.[10]

Upon taking office as Comptroller, Sharp pledged to "make government work more like our most successful businesses."[2] During his eight years as Comptroller, Sharp established the Texas Performance Review (TPR), an ongoing audit on state government. During Sharp's two 4-year terms as Comptroller, the TPR changed the way government does business through the Council on Competitive Government. Other programs implemented under the leadership of Sharp during these eight years included:

  • The Texas Tomorrow Fund: A pre-paid college tuition plan that allows over 80,000 Texas families to pre-pay to lock in the future costs of their children's college tuition.
  • The Lone Star Card: First recommended by Sharp in 1991. This program switched the state's paper food stamp coupons to computerized bank-type cards.

As Comptroller, Sharp also commanded the Texas Lottery. He contracted out most of the work, with the state lottery having only 189 employees (compared to California's 1,000 and Florida's 750),[5] He later turned it over to the new Texas Lottery Commission.

In 2005, Sharp was asked to head an education task force – called the Texas Tax Reform Commission – charged with preparing a bi-partisan education plan for the state. The special session convened on April 17, 2006. Sharp accepted the offer and removed himself as a potential candidate for governor in 2006. The task force issued its final plan several months later, and the legislature adopted it.[13] Sharp was nominated for the "Texan of the Year" Award in 2005.[14] He has taken credit for preventing a state income tax from being adopted in the state, saying, "I killed the state income tax twice".[15]

Senate campaign[edit]

On December 4, 2008, Republican U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison announced the creation of an exploratory committee for the Texas governor's race in 2010. Had she won the governorship, Hutchison would have been required to vacate her Senate seat by January 2011. If she were to stay in the Senate and not run for governor, she would have been up for re-election to the Senate in 2012. On December 8, 2008, Sharp became the first Democrat to announce his intention to run for this Senate seat, regardless of Hutchison's decision. Unlike several other candidates for the office, Sharp did not create an exploratory committee but immediately began raising funds and campaigning in 2009.[16] During his campaign for the Senate, he criticized the governor, Rick Perry, for his comments about secession. He said in a statement, "During World War II my father was shot in defense of the greatest country on Earth, and I proudly wore the uniform of a United States Army reserve officer. So I'm offended when it becomes acceptable for anybody to talk about Texas leaving the Union. I'm running for the United States Senate because we need mainstream, common-sense leadership to clean up the mess in Washington, D.C., not a bunch of radical, anti-American rhetoric."[17]

Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System[edit]

On August 15, 2011, John Sharp was appointed by Governor Rick Perry and the A&M Board of Regents to be chancellor of the Texas A&M University System. At the time, Sharp had never worked in academia.[1] All the members of the Board of Regents that voted to hire Sharp were appointed by Perry.[18]

In 2012, Sharp announced that A&M was selected to develop one of three U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Innovation in Advanced Development and Manufacturing.[19] Sharp outsourced the student dining program, landscaping, maintenance, dining and custodial services to private companies, which prompted protests for university employees who feared losing their jobs.[1][20] Some 1,600 employees of Texas A&M shifted to be employed by Compass Group USA under their contract. Prior to the contract being awarded to Compass Group USA, the company was providing landscaping, building maintenance, custodial and dining services to Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi.[21] Sharp also leased land owned by Texas A&M to private developers.[1] He announced a system-wide accountability website known as EmpowerU using software based on the institution-specific accountability website at Texas A&M University.[22][23] Sharp also added "Texas A&M" to the names of seven agencies and said the names of Prairie View A&M University and Tarleton State University could not be changed as it would require legislation to be passed.[24]

Sharp announced A&M's complete acquisition of Texas Wesleyan University's School of Law and its renaming to Texas A&M University School of Law in August 2013.[25]

In February 2018, two months after Jimbo Fisher was appointed as the head coach of Texas A&M football team, Sharp presented him with a plaque commemorating the Aggies' national championship in the year "20--", telling Fisher, "you get to fill in the date".[29] He played a pivotal role in helping the Texas A&M University System receive a 10-year agreement to co-manage the Los Alamos National Laboratory[30] with the University of California System.[31]

On October 1, 2019, Sharp announced a system-wide ban on vaping, writing in the announcement memo that the "health threat is serious enough that I want to see the ban inside every building, outside space, parking lot, garage and laboratory within the Texas A&M System."[32]

His contract as chancellor was extended in 2021 by seven years, and was scheduled to end in 2028.[33]

On March 7, 2023, a guest lecture by Texas A&M University professor Joy Alonzo at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) criticized Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick's role in the opioid crisis. Shortly afterward, Patrick contacted Sharp about Alonzo.[34][35] Alonzo was placed on administrative leave immediately, and was formally censured by UTMB. The investigation by Texas A&M found no evidence of wrongdoing, and Dr. Alonzo's leave was ended two weeks later.[34] The vice chancellor of marketing and communications for Texas A&M later said Alonzo "had no issue with how the University handled the situation."[36] In the summer of 2023 Sharp spoke at the groundbreaking of the first building for Texas A&M University–Fort Worth.[37] After the controversy of the botched attempted hiring of A&M graduate and University of Texas at Austin journalism professor Kathleen McElroy to revitalize the journalism department at Texas A&M University, Sharp publicly apologized in an op-ed published by the Austin American-Statesman.[38]

On July 1, 2024, Sharp announced he will depart the position on June 30, 2025.[39]

Personal life[edit]

In 1978, he married Charlotte Han. They have a son, Spencer, and a daughter, Victoria. Charlotte died in December 2020.[40]

He owns a 1,600-acre ranch 30 minutes from College Station where he raises cattle and goats.[1] After his retirement, he will move to Austin to be close to his children and grandchildren.[39]

Honors & awards[edit]

Sharp has received numerous awards. Texas State University presented Sharp with the "Distinguished Alumni Award" in 1996, where he also taught a course on Texas state government for several semesters in the early 2000s.[41] He was awarded the Texas A&M University Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2018.[42]

In 2022, the City of Bryan renamed State Highway 47 into John Sharp Parkway, due to his service at A&M, the development of the RELLIS campus, and Texas A&M's expansions into the city.[43]

List of awards[edit]

  • Best Newcomer in the Texas House of Representatives, Texas Monthly, 1979[6][a]
  • Distinguished Alumni Award, Texas State University, 1996[44]
  • Person of the Year, Rio Grande Guardian, 2015[45]
  • Distinguished Alumnus Award, Texas A&M University, 2018[42]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Jointly awarded with Bill Messer.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Hardy, Michael (July 25, 2017). "Country Revival". Texas Monthly. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "John Sharp". Texas State Directory.
  3. ^ "Legislative Budget Board". Legislative Budget Board. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Bryan College Station Eagle 01 November 1975". The Bryan-College Station Eagle. p. 4. Retrieved January 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b c d Russell, Jan Jarboe (March 1994). "John the Knife". Texas Monthly.
  6. ^ a b Burka, Paul (July 1979). "1979: The Ten Best and The Ten Worst Legislators". Texas Monthly.
  7. ^ "Victoria Advocate 27 Oct 1982". Victoria Advocate. p. 4. Retrieved January 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "John Spencer Sharp". Texas Legislators: Past & Present. Legislative Reference Library of Texas.
  9. ^ "Senate Committee on Finance - 69th R.S. (1985)". Legislative Reference Library of Texas.
  10. ^ a b McGee, Kate (October 2, 2023). "Can John Sharp protect his maroon empire?". Texas Tribune.
  11. ^ Russell, Jan Jarboe (March 1, 1994). "John the Knife". Texas Monthly.
  12. ^ Ratcliffe, R. G. (September 7, 2017). "John Sharp, the State's Fixer in Chief, Comes to the Rescue After Harvey". Texas Monthly.
  13. ^ "Final Report of the Texas Tax Reform Commission" (PDF).[permanent dead link]
  14. ^ "DMN "Texan of the Year" Nomination # 4: John Sharp". Dallas Morning News. December 27, 2006. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007.
  15. ^ "A&M Chancellor Sharp shares retirement plan". Texas A&M International University. July 1, 2024.
  16. ^ Robison, Clay. "Former Comptroller Sharp to seek U.S. Senate seat". Houston Chronicle.
  17. ^ Burka, Paul (April 21, 2009). "Sharp: If at first you don't secede..." Texas Montly.
  18. ^ Watkins, Matthew (September 13, 2017). "As A&M chancellor and hurricane recovery czar, John Sharp balances two intensely personal jobs". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  19. ^ "Texas A&M System Awarded National Center for Innovation". February 2, 2014. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  20. ^ Reed, Allen. "Texas A&M System implementing outsourcing at other campuses". The Bryan-College Station Eagle. Retrieved September 18, 2018. (subscription required)
  21. ^ Fullhart, Steve (August 15, 2012). "A&M Deal to Outsource Campus Services Formalized". Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  22. ^ Lloyd, Jennifer R. (October 29, 2012). "A&M lays accountability path for graduation rates, cost effectiveness". Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  23. ^ Hamilton, Reeve (October 29, 2012). "Texas A&M System Launches EmpowerU Website". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  24. ^ "Adding "Texas A&M" To More A&M System Agencies". WTAW: a Bryan broadcasting station. August 2, 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  25. ^ Eagle staff report. "Texas A&M University officially acquires Texas Wesleyan University law school". The Bryan-College Station Eagle. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  26. ^ Finger, Mike (December 5, 2020). "Finger: At long last, Texas A&M ready to grab an opportunity". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  27. ^ Baker, Matt (February 28, 2018). "Texas A&M gave Jimbo Fisher a national championship plaque. Just add the year (and wins)". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  28. ^ Schroeder, George (July 16, 2018). "Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher understands that his timetable is now". USA Today. Archived from the original on July 18, 2018. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  29. ^ [26][27][28]
  30. ^ Carson, Dan (July 1, 2024). "Texas A&M system chancellor John Sharp announces retirement". Houston Chronicle.
  31. ^ Rice, Laura (July 18, 2018). "John Sharp Says Los Alamos Is Safe In A&M's Hands". Texas Public Radio.
  32. ^ "Texas A&M Implementing System-Wide Vaping Ban". CBS News Texas. October 1, 2019.
  33. ^ Huddlestone, Scott (July 1, 2024). "Texas A&M University System Chancellor Sharp to retire in a year". San Antonio Express-News.
  34. ^ a b McGee, Kate; Barragán, James (July 25, 2023). "Texas A&M suspended professor accused of criticizing Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in lecture". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  35. ^ Barragán, Kate McGee and James (August 2, 2023). "Suspended Texas A&M professor denies saying Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick believes overdose victims "deserve to die"". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  36. ^ Jones, Dustin (July 26, 2023). "A Texas A&M professor was suspended for allegedly criticizing lieutenant governor". NPR. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  37. ^ Rodrigues, Marcela (July 1, 2024). "Texas A&M chancellor retiring after more than a decade leading university system". Dallas Morning News.
  38. ^ "A&M Chancellor: It's time to put our house back in order". Austin American-Statesman. August 6, 2023.
  39. ^ a b Ketterer, Samantha (July 1, 2024). "Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp to retire in June 2025". Houston Chronicle.
  40. ^ "Charlotte Han Sharp Passes After Lengthy Illness". December 15, 2020. Archived from the original on August 1, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  41. ^ "Home - Alumni Association". www.txstatealumni.org. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  42. ^ a b "Chancellor John Sharp among 10 honored with Texas A&M's Distinguished Alumnus Award". The Bryan-College Station Eagle. June 11, 2018.
  43. ^ "Bryan City Council Unanimously Approves The Mayor's Request To Rename Highway 47 "John Sharp Parkway"". WTAW: a Bryan broadcasting station.
  44. ^ "1996-1997 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients". Texas State University Alumni Association.
  45. ^ Reyes, Dana (December 21, 2015). "RGG Person of the Year: John Sharp".

External links[edit]

Political offices
Preceded by Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
1991–1999 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Texas
1998, 2002 		Succeeded by
Texas Senate
Preceded by Member of the Texas Senate from District 18
1982–1987 		Succeeded by
Texas House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from District 40 (Victoria)
1979–1982 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Sharp_(Texas_politician)&oldid=1232236679"