INTRODUCTION
As Texas voters finalize their primary candidate of choice for the upcoming general elections, we will give some context in regards to the entire voting process. First round Republican and Democrat primary elections are held March 1st, and, if no candidate gets over 50%, the top two candidates have another election on May 24th. During primary elections, each political party is to select a nominee to be elected into office in the upcoming general elections held on November 3rd. Party affiliated nominees run against each other in the same political party (e.g Republicans run against Republicans and Democrats against Democrats) and whoever possesses the ballot majority runs against the opposing political party in the general election.
Over the past few months, The Texas Horn have interviewed seven Republican candidates for runoff primary elections. In no particular order, they are: Tim Westley, David Lowe, Raul Reyes, Jeff Younger, Patrick McGuinness, Paul Chabot, and Shelley Barineau. In the following paragraphs we will briefly discuss each candidates’ aspirations and their results in the primary runoff election.
Tim Westley (Land Commissioner)
Until recently, Dr. Tim Westley served as the historian for the Republican Party of Texas. He is an Army veteran who served the national guard for seven years and is also a former middle school teacher. He is a proud Texan, an advocate for caretaking of children and verterans, and a qualified candidate who knew the inner workings of TEA (The Texas Education Agency). Although he arrived late to the election, he believes his vital first hand experiences would translate well into overseeing caretaking for the Alamo. In his campaign, Tim advocates for proactive security measures to protect Texans from natural disasters, ensuring further federal funding for small cities and towns, and to better oversee resource allocations for public education and veteran benefits.
Key quote: “I believe that people simply connect to the fact that whether I’m elected for office, running for office or not, I’m still working, still trying to move things forward, and still trying to assist Texans and Texas in becoming better.”
Election Results:
Source: Decision Desk HQ
David Lowe (House District 91)
David Lowe is a volunteer for the Texas Republican party and a “pro-life extremeist” running for the state representative district 91. Born and raised in Dallas, Texas. David spent twelve years serving in the miltiary and graduated from the Police academy before working in adult and juvenile correction facilities. After holding leadership roles in the military, he wants to continue his public service helping out fellow Texas communities. In his campaign, David strongly advocates for pro-life and aims to shape his policies towards abolishing aboration, reform government schools by banning the CRT (Critical Race Theory) and eliminating the STAAR test. Furthermore, he aims to uphold the Heartbeat Act, have unborn children be protected under the Fourteenth Amendment, and have all future legislatures abide by an extended term limit. He also advocates for campaign finance reform and ending property tax appraisals.
Key quote: “If you don’t stand up for children, you don’t stand up for anything.”
Election Results:
Source: Decision Desk HQ
Raul Reyes (Senate District 24)
Born in Del Rio, Texas. Raul Reyes is a lieutenant colonel who recently retired in 2016 following his service in the United States Air Force for 22 years. He is also a former cyberspace officer and an international affairs expert who oversees the security of data and information transportation. Through his experience, Raul advocates for paper ballots to ensure election integrity, reinforcing border security and ensuring the best allocation of resources for national security. Furthermore, he favors the abolishment of property taxes, advocating leadership willing to put a budget cap on government spending and cutting unnecessary spending to bring down property taxes.
Key quote: “The people will speak, the people will rise… together we can do this.”
Election Results:
Source: Decision Desk HQ
Jeff Younger (House District 63)
Jeff Younger is the Republican candidate running for the state representative district 63. During a precipitated divorce court case with his former wife, Jeff refused to acknowledge his transitioning son and lost custody of his own child. This created much media attention for Jeff, who advocates for total abolition of abortion and is known for his relatively conservative policies on social issues. In his campaign, Jeff aims to protect the institution of family, reform the family court system, and discontinue all support for gender transitioning medical procedures. Furthermore, Jeff advocates to restore federalism, recognize conservatism as a restoration of social order and aim all instruments of power to support conservative norms.
Key quote: “This country is divided, and it’s either going to become all communist or it’s going to go back and become all constitutional again.”
Election Results:
Source: Decision Desk HQ
Patrick McGuinness (House District 52)
Patrick McGuinness is a high-tech engineer, a father of four, and lifelong conservative running for state representative in district 52. Growing in New Jersey, Patrick enrolled in John Hopkins University and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in electrical engineering and Master’s in CS (Computer Science) followed by his Doctorate In CS at the University of Illinois. With an impressive tech background, he worked in numerous startup and big tech corporate companies over the years. To pursue his political interest, Patrick ran for office, a precinct chair, Vice-Chair of the Travis County Republican Party, and founded the North Austin Republican club. In his campaign, Patrick aims to fight against Biden’s vaccine mandates and his poor kept promise for the oil and gas industry. Stepping up for Texans and doing what the federal government would not do. Placing great emphasis on parents empowerment in education, addressing property taxes, and securing the borders.
Key quote: “It’s very important that we get in there, we do the hard work, and we actually deliver on our promises.”
Election Results:
Source: Decision Desk HQ
Paul Chabot (House District 61)
Paul Chabot is a retired Navy veteran, a father of four, and an adjunct professor running for the state representative district 61. Paul’s background is based primarily in military and law enforcement, who is running for elected office to uphold conservative values and keeping Texas red. Having served over twenty one year in law enforcement, he emphasizes on dismantling the drug problem currently present in Texas. In his campaign, Paul aims to tackle the legalization of marijuana, advocating funding for drug court programs, and to prevent the sale and illegal use of drugs in our school system. Furthermore, he plans to halt illegal immagration and secure national borders, and advocate for a portion of the Prop 13 model in California to be integrated into property tax systems in Texas.
Key Quote: “Texas is the nice kid that has no idea that evil outside the house wants to pounce and destroy the state.”
Election Results:
Source: Decision Desk HQ
Shelley Barineau (House District 133)
Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Shelley Barineau is a small business owner, a mother of four, a former attorney, and constitutional conservatie running for state representative for district 133. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and later attended the Houston School of Law. Shelley is a successful third-generation business owner and 18-year Republican Precinct Chair. Her background enables her to have the courage to lead and fight for issues that matters the most to her community. In her campaign, Shelley aims to support laws that provide for parental accountability and transparency. She is a strong advocate for reforming bail reform, allocating crucial funding in the police and crime fighting, banning CRT in K-12 education, safeguarding election integrity, and improving upon public education and public safety.
Key Quote: “Public safety is a matter of principle, not politics.”
Election Results:
Source: Decision Desk HQ
