U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess is seeking re-election for Texas District 26 in the March 6 primary elections. He is running as a Republican against Veronica Birkenstock, Will Fisher and Linsey Fagan.

Community Impact Newspaper sent Burgess a list of questions about his candidacy. His answers are below edited for style.

1. Why did you decide to run for this office?


I ran for Congress because I care deeply about the health of our citizens. As a father and grandfather, I also care deeply about our economy, our security and our conservative values. Every day in Congress, I ask myself how each issue will affect our local families. I strive diligently to meet regularly with citizen groups across the district, and I have held over 100 public town halls. My medical background gives me the unique authority to conquer the destructive effects of "Obamacare." Vice President Pence summed it up best when he said, “In the realm of health care, you are the person that everyone in Congress respects, and we need you.”

2. What experience—professionally or politically—do you have that would prepare you for this position?


As a physician who served patients in North Texas for more than 25 years, my health care experience is an invaluable asset to the White House and in Congress. I have a proven ability to work with multiple participants in order to come up with a working solution that is in the best interest of the free market and of the people.

I currently serve on the prestigious House Energy and Commerce Committee, where I am the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health and sit on the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations and the Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection. In addition, I have lived in the district almost my entire life. I raised a family here and ran a medical practice here for 25 years. I have seen the effects of policy—both good and bad—on my friends and neighbors, and carrying that experience with me to Congress has been valuable.

3. If elected, what would be your top priorities?


Establishing operational security on our border must be our first priority. President [Donald] Trump has asked for funding to build a wall on our border, and Congress should give him the funds necessary to secure our borders. "Obamacare" should be completely and immediately repealed. The repeal of the individual mandate that was included in the passing of the recent tax bill is a huge victory, but I will continue to work to repeal "Obamacare" and all of its disastrous overreaches. One of my main priorities is fighting for a pro-growth, pro-job creation agenda. Creating jobs and getting Americans back to work is a vital necessity. In order to be successful, we must address the federal government’s out-of-control spending. We need a government that is efficient, less expensive, and more responsive, not a government that continues to overspend and places burdensome regulations on small businesses. I will continue to work hard to promote a pro-growth, pro-job creation agenda, which will put people back to work, cut the national debt and keep the economy growing.

4. What else do you want constituents to know about you and your background?


I'm thankful and honored to have the support of friends, neighbors and colleagues who believe I'm the right person to continue serving Texas in Congress. Our campaign has been endorsed by President Trump and Vice President Pence’s Great America Committee, along with key endorsements from Sen. Ted Cruz, the Texas Medical Association, the National Rifle Association, National Right to Life, and many others who are committed to putting our country back on track.

Under President Trump, we are making our country strong again. In the past year, we have cut taxes, trimmed the bureaucracy, strengthened our economy and repealed the overreaching individual mandate. In the year ahead, we will fight "Obamacare," protect Social Security and Medicare, tighten immigration, and strengthen our defenses from terrorism and foreign aggression. With your support, I pledge to continue the conservative fight to make our country strong and healthy again and to be responsive to your individual needs. While we have accomplished a lot, there is still work to do.