Phil King has served in the Texas State Guard. King earned a B.A. from Dallas Baptist University in 1981, an M.B.A. from Dallas Baptist University in 1986, and a J.D. from Texas A&M University in 1993. His career experience includes owning a business and working as an attorney, an adjunct professor with Dallas Baptist University, and a police officer with the Fort Worth Police Department. King has served on the board of directors and as the national chair of the American Legislative Exchange Council, on the board of directors and as vice chairman of the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute, and on the advisory board of Grace House Ministries.