He received his Ph.D. from Texas A&M University in 2006. His interests included race and politics, state and local politics, and public policy. Rene has published in the Political Research Quarterly, Policy Studies Journal, Social Science Quarterly, American Politics Research, State Politics & Policy Quarterly, Urban Affairs Review, andthe Review of Policy Research. He has received the Ted Robinson Memorial Award (awarded by the Southwestern Political Science Association) and the Lucas Barker Award (awarded by the Midwest Political Science Association). He also received the Political Research Quarterly best article for his paper entitled Black-Brown Coalitions in Local School Board Elections.