Representative Jim Dunnam is a Waco-based attorney with the law firm of Dunnam and Dunnam. The Central Texas native was first elected to represent HD-57 in 1996 and is a current member of the House Committees on Environmental Regulation and Transportation. He is also the chairman of the House Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization Funding and has served as the elected leader of the Texas House Democratic Caucus since 2003. Dunnam is also a member of the Legislative Study Group and the Mexican-American Legislative Caucus.

Dunnam’s previously served on the Texas Supreme Court Rules Advisory Committee, as chairman of the Interim Committee on Charter Schools, vice chairman of the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence, and as a member of the House Public Education, Redistricting, Corrections, Higher Education, Economic Development and Culture, Recreation and Tourism committees.

Dunnam was named in 2007 as one of the 10 best legislators by Capitol Inside Online Magazine and garnered a "Honorable Mention" recognition from Texas Monthly magazine. Also in 2007, Dunnam received the "Smart on Crime Award” from the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition.

Dunnam graduated Richfield High School and subsequently earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1986 from Baylor University, and a Juris Doctorate in 1987 from the Baylor School of Law.

He has been married to his wife, Michelle, for more than 20 years. They have three children – Rachel, Mason, and Lauren.