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Steven Wright, Josh Cortez, Larry La Rose, Carlos De La Cruz, Ryan Krause, Rod Lingsch, Randy Adams, John Lujan, Vanessa Hicks-Callaway, Mark Eberwine and Jay Furman will appear on the ballot in the March Republican primary election for the U.S. House of Representatives District 35 seat.
Why it matters
The winner will run against the winner of the Democratic primary in November to determine who will represent the district.
At the polls
A candidate must receive over 50% of the votes to win; if this doesn’t happen, a runoff election will be held in May.
Learn more
Candidates were asked to keep responses within 50 words, respond to the questions provided, and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
Deputy constable, retired deputy sheriff of 30 years and former elected representative for 15 years.
Why are you running for office?
It is important to me to be a representative for the working-class blue-collar worker that I believe is under served in congress while our middle class is shrinking. I also believe that progressive ideology is damaging our country and we must shield and protect our children from this dangerous ideology.
What would your top priorities be if elected?
Tax reform is a large part of my platform from making permanent the BBB sunset clauses, to business credits in hiring apprentice employees that will become skilled trade labor. Veterans, supporting public safety employees, border security, pulling back EPA regulations, protecting family farms and ranches and preserving our water and …
What are the biggest challenges facing this district?
Protecting our water rights along with family farms and ranches, expanding energy independence legislation, tax reform and rebuilding the middle class. I plan to advocate as a career and lifelong working class blue collar worker. With less than 2% of congressional members actually having this background it is important we …
What projects are most important for the Legislature to focus on for the future of Texas?
Tax reform, working class initiatives and small business expansion and funding will be important moving our country forward. Trade agreements representing the America first agenda to rebuild the middle class through job creation and free markets for small business.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process?
It is imperative to actually have an open door policy and hiring the right staff to work as a team to communicate and resolve issues for constituents. Web forums, newsletters, regular office hours and town halls have been successful for developing policy.
Former senior Republican congressional staffer, tech founder, conservative professor and U.S. senate veterans liaison.
Why are you running for office?
I'm running to represent Texas’ 35th District, it's about service, not status. Texans deserve secure borders, safe streets, affordable groceries and gas, and a government that finally lives within its means. After years of working in and around public service, I’m stepping up to fight for our families’ future.
What would your top priorities be if elected?
Support president Trump’s America first agenda, prioritizing American workers, families, and small businesses over global bureaucrats; balance the budget by cutting wasteful spending while protecting social security and medicare; strengthen borders and military with walls, tools for Border Patrol/ICE, and peace-through-strength. Address water crisis via infrastructure; protect Texas agriculture ...
What are the biggest challenges facing this district?
The biggest local challenges facing Texas’ 35th District are the looming water crisis threatening communities and farms, alongside solidifying our energy and agricultural independence. I’ll work to secure rural federal water grants as a complement to recently formed state water resources for infrastructure, storage, and conservation sustaining our ranchers, farmers ...
What projects are most important for the Legislature to focus on for the future of Texas?
A U.S. Coast Guard veteran served with distinguished service.
Why are you running for office?
I have worked hard all my life and many areas of retail trade. I share the same issues as my neighbors. I'm book smart and street smart. I have listened to the people's concerns and plan to solve them to the best of my abilities.
What would your top priorities be if elected?
I want to change the VA process of the veterans benefit application for entitlements and benefits due to the vets and streamline the process from years to days. It can be done. Also reduce taxes for the elderly and reduce the cost of electric and water utilities and address the ...
What are the biggest challenges facing this district?
A very big issue on health care. I believe it should be the people's employer to provide health care. This is why we have good paying career jobs.
What projects are most important for the Legislature to focus on for the future of Texas?
Many ways to develop clean energy at a reasonable cost but cannot be done until we reduce all the regulations preventing to make it possible.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
Why are you running for office?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
What would your top priorities be if elected?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
What are the biggest challenges facing this district?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
What projects are most important for the Legislature to focus on for the future of Texas?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
Why are you running for office?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
What would your top priorities be if elected?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
What are the biggest challenges facing this district?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
What projects are most important for the Legislature to focus on for the future of Texas?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
USAF combat veteran, small business owner, Texas peace officer, sheriff’s deputy, defense contractor (TS clearance) ...
Why are you running for office?
I’m running for Congress because I’ve spent my life in roles where results matter; military service, law enforcement, small business, and overseas national security work. I believe this district deserves practical, accountable representation grounded in real-world experience, not career politics.
What would your top priorities be if elected?
My priorities include economic stability for working families, border and national security, and restoring accountability in federal government. That means reducing burdens on small businesses, addressing inflation and energy costs, supporting law enforcement and veterans, and ensuring responsible, transparent federal spending.
What are the biggest challenges facing this district?
Rising living costs, pressure on small businesses, public safety concerns, and infrastructure needs affect both urban and rural areas. I plan to address these by supporting economic growth, energy reliability, and local control, while working closely with community leaders to align federal policy with district needs.
What projects are most important for the Legislature to focus on for the future of Texas?
At the federal level, priorities include infrastructure that reflects local needs, energy policy that keeps Texas affordable and reliable, border security coordination, and support for veterans and first responders. Texas succeeds when federal policy respects state leadership and avoids one-size-fits-all mandates.
Lifelong Texan, devoted father, successful business owner of 60 years, a community and church leader.
Why are you running for office?
I feel our country is on the wrong track and because of my business experience, I will work to make a difference for the constituents of District 35.
What would your top priorities be if elected?
Affordability for everyday living, food costs, housing, and healthcare. Continue to improve the border and the immigration system. Explore and continue to improve the healthcare and medication markets.
What are the biggest challenges facing this district?
Electrical infrastructure. Need to develop the electrical grid as our growth has continued to strain its capacity over the last few years. Water resources. More water resources are needed also due to our growth. Government waste. Examine income and expenses at all levels of government and make them more efficient.
What projects are most important for the Legislature to focus on for the future of Texas?
Preparing the state for the population growth from other states and countries. Work with farmers and ranchers for continued growth in crop production and workforce development. Develop a long term plan to repair and construct new highway infrastructure. Examine and develop a better and more efficient insurance industry.
Retired San Antonio firefighter and information technology executive.
Why are you running for office?
I’m running for office because my life experiences—law enforcement, firefighting, business ownership, family, faith, and community service—have prepared me to lead. As the first and only Republican to ever win my State House, I bring proven leadership, real-world experience, and dedication to serving others effectively.
What would your top priorities be if elected?
My top priorities include driving economic development throughout District 35, strengthening public safety, and supporting clean, reliable energy solutions like nuclear power. I’ve delivered results in House District 118 and will continue leveraging state and federal funding to create jobs, attract investment, and build a stronger future for Texas families.
What are the biggest challenges facing this district?
District 35’s biggest challenges are sustaining economic growth along with planned strategic workforce education, securing long-term water supply for rapid population and business expansion, and ensuring public safety keeps pace with development so communities are protected proactively rather than through reactionary policies.
What projects are most important for the Legislature to focus on for the future of Texas?
Immigration must remain a priority, with a legal framework that secures the border while welcoming immigrants who strengthen Texas and America. Projects should modernize our system, streamline legal pathways, and create a fair, accountable process for long-term workers already here to continue contributing to our economy and communities.
Texas realtor, retired U.S. Army lt. colonel and Texas Governor Abbott former board appointee.
Why are you running for office?
As a wife, mom, Texas realtor, and military veteran who loves God, Texas, and this great country, I want to use my 35 years of professional experience, qualifications, and education, to strengthen the TX 35th district to make it safer, stronger, richer, and healthier for this generation and the next.
What would your top priorities be if elected?
Be President Trump’s strongest ally with an America first, Texas now perspective. Be a "five star" Republican who loves christianity, constitution, country, capitalism, and conservatism. Fight the "three-headed dragon" that threatens America by stealing, killing, and destroying our way of life with liberalism and wokeism.
What are the biggest challenges facing this district?
Redistricting, urban growth-now impacting community limited resources, infrastructure improvement and modernization, economic development, innovative water crisis management, Guadalupe county flooding, crime, illegal immigration management, the good, bad and ugly impact of AI, job growth that attracts and maintains youth to remain in district, quality of life improvement with housing affordability.
What projects are most important for the Legislature to focus on for the future of Texas?
Why are you running for office?
Our country is in deep trouble. We are handing tens of trillions of dollars of debt to our nation’s children. Our education system has become the gateway for pharmaceutical and then illegal drug use, illiteracy and zero math skills.
What would your top priorities be if elected?
Completely reformatting our nation’s schools. Reducing the national debt with a financial model that reduces interest rates while creating an economy driven fuel taxing model that creates a steady-state economy. De-centralizing our nation’s food supply. Removing the statute of limitations for those involved in transgendering of minors.
What are the biggest challenges facing this district?
This is my district. Not ‘this’ district. I live here. My district is a microcosm of our country. The biggest challenge is we have ignored our greatest resource, our children. The health of our country follows the skills and confidence we teach our children. Employment for U.S. citizens.
What projects are most important for the Legislature to focus on for the future of Texas?
Oil and gas production. Construct additional refineries. Financial incentives for schools that focus on math, English, and writing, and multiple physical education periods per day. If you force a child to sit in class, doctors and pharmaceutical companies swoop in to start them on drugs for “ADHD.”
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
Why are you running for office?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
What would your top priorities be if elected?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
What are the biggest challenges facing this district?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
What projects are most important for the Legislature to focus on for the future of Texas?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
Codifying president Trump's border policies into law. Our border must never again be weakened by political whims. Fighting for support and funding for Texas' military installations and ensuring they are fully staffed. Addressing Texas' impending water crisis and supplementing the state's plan with federal support and resources as needed.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process?
I plan on having an open door policy at my offices for the residents of Texas 35th district and plan on hosting county town halls for constituent feedback.
Candidate did not respond before press time.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process?
I believe effective representation starts with listening. I plan to hold regular town halls, community meetings, and maintain open communication across the district so constituents understand my positions and how their input informs decisions.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process?
Meet with constituents at our local offices on a quarterly basis. Allow contact by email or phone with our staff and if needed with me.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process?
Residents will be involved through regular engagement with subject matter experts, stakeholders, and community organizations, ensuring their voices shape policy from the start. This collaborative model has already delivered strong results in House District 118 on economic development, public safety legislation, and education, and will be expanded across District 35.
Projects promoting economic growth for the district that advances and improve the quality of life for Texas 35th district residents must have legislative priority. Projects addressing the district’s water crisis shortages and Guadalupe County’s flooding issues will also be important for legislative focus on for the future of Texas.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process?
I wrote a Christian self-help book about decision-making called “Decision Precision Vision.” My book, along with my more than 35 years of professional qualifications, experience, and education-comprised of three college degrees: an associates, bachelors, and a master’s will aid me with my engagement with community residents for legislative problem solving.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process?
Most citizens, and certainly parents, are crying out for help. We all know our country has been hijacked by corporations and private equity firms. I will involve them by being their voice. For over 35 years, I am known as the person exposing crooked builders and their faulty construction.
