Kevin Brady (incumbent)
Occupation: U.S. representative, Texas Congressional District 8 281-363-9297 www.bradyforcongress.com
What are some of the biggest challenges District 8 faces in the coming years?
By opposing higher taxes and Washington regulations that restrict energy production and as a key leader in lifting the export ban on American energy, I’m leading the fight to protect Texas energy jobs. I am leading the fight to end the “Death Tax,” which recently passed the House [of representatives], so family members can pass down businesses and homes. I led the successful fight to allow Texas taxpayers to deduct their taxes from their federal tax bill.
What is your stance regarding President Obama’s latest gun control initiatives?
Gun violence is real, but nothing will change as long as President Obama keeps ignoring mental health care while targeting law-abiding citizens who are responsibly exercising their Second Amendment rights. Until [Obama] gets serious about real mental health care in America, I’ll fight hard to stop these political games. I’m the only candidate in the race endorsed by the National Rifle Association as the champion for Second Amendment rights.
What can the Greater Houston-area do now to improve its economy in the face of the current oil glut?
I’m the only candidate in the race to support lifting the export ban on crude oil, which will create 300,000 energy jobs in Texas. As chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, I will work closely with Speaker Paul Ryan to reform the tax code, replace “Obamacare,” approve new trade agreements to sell Texas products overseas, reform welfare to get people back to work and save Social Security and Medicare for the long term.
Andre Dean
Occupation: infantry officer, U.S. Army 936-349-3526 coloneldeantocongress.org
What are some of the biggest challenges District 8 faces in the coming years?
District 8 is a microcosm of America, and most of us here don’t want a congressman who brings home the bacon from the D.C. pork barrel. We want honest, conservative, hard fighting leadership that protects the nation, cuts federal spending, pays down the debt, lives within its means, downsizes all of our federal government, lets us live our law-abiding lives with minimal government intrusion and respects, honors and follows the Constitution.
What is your stance regarding President Obama’s latest gun control initiatives?
I love the wisdom and foresight of the Constitution’s framers. I love the Second Amendment’s guaranteed right to every American to own, practice, shoot, protect and bear arms. Every effort by Obama to restrict our constitutional freedom of speech or religion must be fought—just like we must vigilantly protect the right to own guns—or we will lose this sacred gift of self-protection and of protection from tyrannical government.
What can the Greater Houston-area do now to improve its economy in the face of the current oil glut?
Houston is becoming much more diversified and must continue to build that economic strength through continuing to provide great tax incentives and great, safe places to live. The only danger from the federal government is Obama and Albert Gore’s attempt to create worldwide anti-carbon and anti- fossil fuel—anti-oil—hysteria and punishment. Houston and the nation need a slow, unhurried, wise transition toward green energy. Panic to urgently “go green” would devastate Houston and America and is 100 percent panic manipulation.
Craig McMichael
Occupation: network engineer, ScoNet Inc. mcmichaelforcongress.com
What are some of the biggest challenges District 8 faces in the coming years?
Federal challenges are not specific to one district, and we have to get out of that mindset. Local issues should be handled by the state and local governments. It would be my job to protect our Constitution and our freedoms—that applies to all Americans. This national debt is going to end our federal government if we—the people—don’t force Washington to stop spending and start living within our means.
What is your stance regarding President Obama’s latest gun control initiatives?
The Second Amendment of the Constitution is clear. All federal gun laws are a clear violation of our rights. The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
What can the Greater Houston-area do now to improve its economy in the face of the current oil glut?
[We should] remove government and allow our free market system to do what it does best. Government regulations and taxes hold back companies and entrepreneurs from pushing our republic and economy forward.
Steve Toth
Occupation: president, Acclaim Pools and My Pool Xpert 281-770-7287 www.tothforcongress.com
What are some of the biggest challenges District 8 faces in the coming years?
It would be to restore the normal operating budget process and sealing off our southern border [and] closing it. What I would work really hard at is restoring the sovereignty to the state. That’s being lost as Washington grabs more and more authority away from the states.
What is your stance regarding President Obama’s latest gun control initiatives?
I was the author of the Firearms Protection Act bill [for the State Legislature]. I am a strong Second Amendment activist, and I believe in the Second Amendment and the last four words of it, which are “shall not be infringed.” [Infringement] is what the president is doing.
What can the Greater Houston-area do now to improve its economy in the face of the current oil glut?
We’ve got to take the foot off the neck of small businesses across the state of Texas. I have 12 employees, and I lost my [health insurance] coverage to “Obamacare.” The cost is out of sight.
