Angela Paxton has filed to run for Texas state senator, District 8. She defeated Phillip Huffines in the March 6 primary election. Community Impact Newspaper sent Paxton a list of questions about her candidacy. Below are her answers, edited for publication style. Q: Why did you decide to run for this office? A: I’m a pro-life, constitutional conservative, and I’m guided by faith and a desire to serve you to represent our conservative values. For the last 20 years, I have lived, served, worshipped and raised my family in this district. I understand the challenges and opportunities it now faces, many of which are related to the incredible growth of the area. I will continue this district’s legacy of effective representation as a conservative voice committed to the community. I also ran for this office to ensure a strong, effective, local conservative will be elected to fight for us. My opponent lives in Dallas County, not Collin County. I believe it is critical to elect a conservative from the community in order to ensure that Collin County—Texas’ sixth-largest county by population—doesn’t become the largest county without a state senator living here to fight for lower property taxes, end the state's Robin Hood recapture policy and fight toll roads. Most voters I’ve heard from are offended that my opponent moved into the district less than a year ago to run for this office and even after moving he still chose to stay in Dallas County, not Collin County, which comprises over 85 percent of the district. Q: What experience—professionally or politically—do you have that would prepare you for this position? A: Professionally, I’ve devoted 22 years to the rewarding field of education, including teaching in public and Christian schools. I bring an informed and personal perspective to the education issue to which our state devotes 52 percent of its general revenues. I earned a degree in mathematical science from Baylor University and became the first person in my family to graduate from college. I pursued graduate studies and earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Houston—Clear Lake. I’ve lived right here, in Collin County, for two decades, where I have been enmeshed and engaged completely in our community as a grassroots activist, pro-life speaker and educator.  My professional background includes experience in collaborative problem-solving, conflict resolution and executive planning, all of which will be crucial in carrying and passing legislation. Q: If elected, what would be your top priorities? A: My top priorities will be securing the border and enforcing the sanctuary cities ban, protecting life, lowering property taxes, defending the Second Amendment (I’m a license-to-carry holder) and ensuring that educational outcomes for our state’s children are increased dramatically while ending the Robin Hood funding scheme. Ensuring continued job growth will be a priority. There’s a reason that thousands of people from California, New York and other high-tax, big-government states are flocking to Texas and Senate District 8.  Personal responsibility, a fair legal system plus low taxes and limited, predictable regulation lead to a growing, thriving economy. Texas has led the way in modeling how limited government allows the private sector to create jobs and opportunity for our citizens. Despite our success, there are those who will continue to push for new regulations, higher taxes and more intrusive government intervention in the economy. I will oppose those efforts at every turn. Q: What else do you want constituents to know about you and your background? A: I’m honored to have earned overwhelming support in this campaign. I’m endorsed by every state representative from Collin County (Reps. Jeff Leach, Scott Sanford, Jodie Laubenberg, Matt Shaheen and former state Rep. Scott Turner). I’m endorsed by county Commissioners Susan Fletcher, Duncan Webb, Cheryl Williams and former Commissioner Chris Hill as well as all four county constables. I’ve earned almost all local endorsements such as Collin County Deputies Association, Collin County Conservative Republicans, Grassroots McKinney, Texas Association of Realtors and many more. I’m a mother of four adult children, wife, Republican activist and an educator. An adopted child, I’ve been an outspoken defender of the unborn, and my personal story of adoption was published in McKinney Women Making a Difference. I’m a former board member of Dallas Pregnancy Resource Center and longtime member of Golden Corridor Republican Women.  My family and I attend Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano. After raising four successful children who are now out on their own, I’d be honored to have your support to serve our community as the next state senator.