They are David Freimarck, Greg Switzer and former Rep. Alan Schoolcraft who served from 1981-93 representing the 121st District in Bexar County, according to the Legislative Reference Library of Texas.
House District 44 covers all of Guadalupe and Gonzales counties, including the parts of New Braunfels that are within Guadalupe County as well as Schertz and Cibolo.
Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
Community Impact is only asking candidates in contested Republican or Democratic primaries to answer questionnaires.
*indicates incumbent
John Kuempel*
Experience:
Born and raised in Guadalupe County; incumbent; chair, House committees on Higher Education and Licensing
Occupation:
Salesman
Candidate Website:
https://www.johnkuempel.com
Contact Information:
830-660-1794
What is the most important issue facing residents and how would you address it if elected?
Border security. We’ve increased spending at the border by billions of dollars but will have to take additional strong conservative steps if the federal government won’t act. I’ll continue to support any bill that sends much-needed resources to the border and keeps traffickers and criminals out of our communities.
If elected, how do you plan to represent all your constituency as a whole?
When someone calls needing help, or just wants to tell me why they disagree with how I voted, it doesn’t matter how they voted last election. My door will always be open. I represent ALL residents of HD 44, whether we agree 5 percent of the time or 100 percent.
What issues outside of the most important one named above are a high priority for you to address?
Property taxes. Voters approved $18 billion in property tax relief, but I’m reminded all the time, everywhere I go, that we in Austin have to keep working toward a meaningful, lasting reduction. Homeowners need to feel like they own their property and aren’t stuck renting it from the government.
What is the overall takeaway you want voters to understand about your campaign?
That it is an absolute honor to represent them and my door is always open. This seat belongs to the residents of Guadalupe and Gonzales counties—not me—and I have never forgotten that and will always fight for their values as a conservative and their neighbor.
Alan Schoolcraft
Experience:
Business owner, attorney, former state representative
Occupation:
CEO/business owner
Candidate Website:
https://www.alanschoolcraftfortexas.com
Contact Information:
956-532-1249
What is the most important issue facing residents and how would you address it if elected?
The security of the southern border is the foremost issue to the residents of HD 44. Fentanyl and crime are impacting communities all over Texas. To address this issue, I am committed to fighting for border security by drafting comprehensive legislation aimed at securing our border.
If elected, how do you plan to represent all your constituency as a whole?
Just as I am doing right now, engaging with voters. Every day I knock on doors asking what issues my community wants me to fight for in Austin. I will serve the people with full transparency and actually listen to them instead of serving with my own gains in mind.
What issues outside of the most important one named above are a high priority for you to address?
I believe in empowering parents in our community. I stand with Governor Abbott and support parents’ ability to make the decisions about their child’s education. I want to fight for this in Austin to ensure that children receive the best possible education.
What is the overall takeaway you want voters to understand about your campaign?
I am not running for my personal gain. I am running because I feel a calling from my community. We need someone who—on day one—will fight for our concerns and values. I will use my House experience to make the best decisions for the folks around me.
Greg Switzer
Experience:
Save the Alamo, Don't Move The Cenotaph, Secure the Border, Open Carry, 2A, Open Texas
Occupation:
Retired
Candidate Website:
www.switzerfortexas.net
Contact Information:
210-900-2824
What is the most important issue facing residents, and how would you address it if elected?
Closing the border is the single most important act to protect all Texans. The legislative branch of government is equal in its authority and does not need the governor to act alone. There are 42 good constitutional candidates who would pass a bill to close the border.
If elected, how do you plan to represent all your constituency as a whole?
In a republic form of government; the best way I think is holding town hall meetings for every constituent to attend, and have a real census of what is important to the majority.
What issues outside of the most important one named above are a high priority for you to address?
Taxes. There are 63 taxes that have been brought to my attention. These taxes include property tax—exist solely to separate Texans from their money. Repealing these taxes, and eliminating toll roads. Government should not be profiteering from the citizenry.
What is the overall takeaway you want voters to understand about your campaign?
We do not elect leaders. We elect representatives "Spokesman" whose personal opinions are subordinate to the general welfare of the majority of constituents.
David Freimarck
Occupation:
Small-business owner and federal contracts/pricing specialist
Candidate Website:
www.electfreimarck.com
Contact Information:
830-507-3821
What is the most important issue facing residents and how would you address it if elected?
The most important issue is repelling the invasion of our southern border because, without sovereignty, nothing else matters. As your next state representative, I will support any legislation that will assist in completing this mission. Additionally, I will work to eliminate incentives that drive illegal aliens to cross our border.
If elected, how do you plan to represent all your constituency as a whole?
I will always be available for feedback and to discuss matters that are important to the constituency. The safety of our communities is a top priority! I will always stand for limited government and less regulation, which will empower individuals and families in our area to forge their own paths.
What issues outside of the most important one named above are a high priority for you to address?
The other three major issues I would like to address are the empowerment of parents (passing school choice), cutting government spending (Texas can do its part to help the inflation problem), and passing term limits for all officeholders because a comfortable representative is an ineffective representative.
What is the overall takeaway you want voters to understand about your campaign?
As voters take to the polls, I would like them to know I am the only conservative outsider running for Texas House District 44. If elected, I will: hold our government accountable; boldly represent our communities; not become a career politician; and fight the establishment when it ignores the people.
