Fifteen candidates are vying to be the lone Republican in the U.S. Congress District 22 race in November. First, they must face off in the March 3 primary. Get to know each candidate here.
Bangar Reddy
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire
Douglas Haggard
Years in District 22: 28
Campaign website: www.DouglasHaggardForCongress.com
If elected, I would: change funding the beast with income tax (repeal) and use disclosed (itemized) national sales tax.
- What do you think is the biggest issue facing District 22?
Clearly, the oppressive size and power of our national government and the amount of our money that it forcibly extracts from us, just to either waste it on bloated expenditures for legislators or to “Grant” it back to us with strings attached. I would have a “Great Abolishment” of federal departments (such as agriculture, education and energy) and the survivors will have to cut their budgets and stop increasing budgets. - What would be your top priority if you are elected?
To attack the biggest issue as stated above by trying to change the “environment” of DC, even that of so-called conservatives (which is pretty much the Republicans) who seem to think that it is OK to continue to sign off on ever-increasing deficits. I would not be going to D.C. to “just get along” and go along with this wrong-headed idea but to be a thorn in their sides, even if I am the only one yelling that “The King has no clothes.” - What are your thoughts on border security?
We need a real wall, not this dandified fence that is going up that has slats that can be cut through with Home Depot battery powered hand tools, as is being done. We need a true large stone block wall that can be quarried in the Davis Mountains in the Big Bend area. We need to have a quota on the so-called “Asylum Petitions.” We need to severely criminally sanction folks who cross our borders with children—or assist in it—and stop giving them additional benefits.
Howard L. Steele Jr.
Years in District 22: 20
Campaign website: KeepTexasGreat.com and HowardSteele.com
If elected, I would: change the amount spent in government.
- What do you think is the biggest issue facing District 22?
I am a board-certified employment lawyer and have seen CD 22 explode in population and diversity. Ensuring flooding is managed and small businesses continue to prosper through deregulation are big issues in CD 22. - What would be your top priority if you are elected?
I would get things done and not just talk about world peace. A junior congressman has very little power and must be bipartisan. I can get Democrats to combat human sex trafficking (Houston is No. 1 city). My “Protect Our Children Act,” requires strip clubs, pornographic movies and massage parlors to use www.everify.gov. And, employees & independent contractors must be 21 years of age. This will immediately stem sexual trafficking and illegal immigration. It would also make it a federal crime (no parole), due to lack of state resources to tackle the problem. This is bipartisan and could pass even with Republicans in the minority. - What are your thoughts on border security?
I spent five days on the border (Laredo and Nuevo Laredo) doing interviews. Border agents are overworked, have low morale, high turnover, and want a tall wall to create a “choke hold” to save resources. They are not set up to be “baby sitters” of children being human trafficked. The wall will stop the drug cartel from using children and others in the “Caravans” to distract and divert the border patrol. They rejected Nancy Pelosi’s argument that the wall was ineffective. It could easily/cheaply be monitored and maintained by drones/technology.
Dan Mathews
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire
Troy Nehls
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire
Pierce Bush
Years in District 22: I have served the community for the past 7 years as Greater Houston Market President and then as CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star
Campaign website: www.piercebushforcongress.com
If elected, I would: stop the rise of socialism in our country.
- What do you think is the biggest issue facing District 22?
The biggest issue facing our nation, and our district, is the rise of politicians who want, and are attracting support from Americans, to make our nation more of a socialist country. We are at risk of losing a generation of voters to the notion that vast-government control of our country, our businesses, and our lives is our best path forward. This is our generation’s challenge to protect and preserve our liberties while ensuring people and free markets are empowered over government in order to drive a stronger future for our families and our country. - What would be your top priority if you are elected?
The number one responsibility of the federal government is to protect our country and preserve our liberties. We not only have to defeat the rise of socialist politicians here in our nation, but we must also ensure we maintain the strongest military and technological capabilities in the world. Major advancements are being made in 5G, artificial intelligence, and cyber warfare. It is critical that America is more technologically advanced than any other nation so we can stay more competitive and ensure we do not lose a war fought in cyberspace or any other new manner. - What are your thoughts on border security?
As CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star, I saw first-hand the devastation that is brought about because of a porous border that allows drug cartels and human traffickers to pump poison into our communities [and] destroy the lives of our friends, neighbors and kids. We must ensure the safety of our country and our people. This starts by working with President Trump to crush the drug cartels and human traffickers while securing our border with walls where necessary and vastly more border patrol agents.
Kathaleen Wall
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire
Matt Hinton
Years in District 22: 11
Campaign website: www.matthintonforcongress.com
If elected, I would: repeal and replace the [affordable care act], end all foreign aid and respect due process and privacy.
- What do you think is the biggest issue facing District 22?
Health insurance is way too expensive. We need to repeal and replace the ACA before people get used to paying too much for health insurance. I have the best plan to replace the ACA. (go to my website) - What would be your top priority if you are elected?
To never ask the people to give up their freedoms by telling them it will make them safer. Americans need to stop giving up their freedoms, weapons, due process, privacy and dignity by thinking it will make them safer. - What are your thoughts on border security?
Border security is key to limiting illegal immigration. We need to finish building the wall which will help gain control over who is entering our country. We also need to end birthright citizenship. We need to reform the legal immigration system to be merit-based and streamlines to make the process quicker or people who legally immigrate here.
Brandon Penko
Years in District 22: 5
Campaign website: N/A
If elected, I would: change how reckless our government is with tax payers dollars.
- What do you think is the biggest issue facing District 22?
I believe the biggest issue facing our district and any other district is the government trying to take our freedoms away. - What would be your top priority if you are elected?
My priority would be to make sure our liberties and ability to prosper are protected. I would also look for ways to cut spending. - What are your thoughts on border security?
The American people come first, so with that said we need some sort of successful border security.
Diana Miller
Years in District 22: 35
Campaign website: www.dianamillertx.com
If elected, I would: change the control by special interest groups over our politicians and public policy.
- What do you think is the biggest issue facing District 22?
Flood mitigation. The Brazos River study has been presented indicating a need to spend $360 million, a special interest payday or immediate need. While this is an important study, I do not feel enough has been done to address neighborhood flooding. In 2018, I issued a letter to the City of Sugar Land mayor opposing a very high-density development just yards from the river. It seems developers can continue developing while taxpayers pay the enormous cost of mitigation. Most of District 22 communities faced flooding and we need to ensure we have taken all preventative measures for the future. - What would be your top priority if you are elected?
Child safety. It is not acceptable to have our children attending schools that are vulnerable. I will make it my mission to ensure the federal government provides as much assistance as needed to make our schools safe. I would demand that tech companies own up to their responsibility/accountability in social media that has victimized our children and placed them at risk from online predators, cyber bullying, and human trafficking. I have experienced my own grandson in a FBISD school where a gun was brought in by a student. As a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) I saw the effects and cycle of human trafficking. - What are your thoughts on border security?
I am pleased to see a 75% decrease in illegal border crossings. I was so concerned about the issue that I traveled to the McAllen border patrol facility in May 2019. This was the day 1,200 illegal crossings were reported at one crossing point. I witnessed the masses of outdoor tents housing the population and the [buses] leaving to transport them elsewhere. I had already seen the local effects as a CASA where the family unit, here illegally, was engaged in human trafficking and the pattern was continuing to the next generation. Having an unsecure border only facilitates and encourages human trafficking.
Shandon Phan
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire
Greg Hill
Years in District 22: 49
Campaign website: www.Electgreghill.com
If elected, I would: address the national debt crisis, and push for decreased spending and a balanced budget amendment.
- What do you think is the biggest issue facing District 22?
Flooding, drainage and infrastructure, mobility and transportation, are the biggest local issues. Border security, immigration reform, national debt and the economy are the big national issues that will affect our area. We need a candidate like myself who can speak to these issues, as I have worked legislatively on issues resulting in better drainage, and transportation, and I am also the only candidate that knows from first-hand experience the problems we face at the border and throughout our broken immigration system. - What would be your top priority if you are elected?
Addressing these local issues mentioned above, and attacking the National Debt by way of a balanced budget amendment, cutting and prioritizing spending, focusing on those areas constitutionally mandated to spend money on, such as national defense, while revamping the big social programs to put control back in the hands of the individual, the free market and our local leaders, as it relates to social security, healthcare and education. - What are your thoughts on border security?
As a former U.S. Border Patrol Agent, I can say that a wall would be effective, but we still need a comprehensive approach. We need more agents, better technology, more Immigration Judges, and we need to make permanent residency easier (getting it done in 2-3 years, and helping folks that we want here come in the right way and pay taxes).
Joe Walz
Years in District 22: 35
Campaign website: www.VoteWalz.com
If elected, I would: change term limits, campaign finance, immigration, border security, come and take it/2A reinforcement
- What do you think is the biggest issue facing District 22?
Human and sex trafficking, flood mitigation, illegal immigration and voter integrity. - What would be your top priority if you are elected?
Term limits, immigration, sex trafficking and campaign finance reform. We need term limits and campaign finance reform to take our country back. Immigration reform to end the ridiculous status quo and protect American jobs and industries is an absolute must. Taking a proactive stance, funding the Department of Justice, and using the office to promote anti-human trafficking programs is paramount. - What are your thoughts on border security?
[Fund] the remainder of the wall. Enhance border security technology and improve morale to make recruitment of border patrol agents better.
Aaron Hermes
Years in District 22: 10
Campaign website: www.MakeCongressGreat.com
If elected, I would: change term limits, end income tax for bottom 50% of earners, and reduce the budget and debt.
- What do you think is the biggest issue facing District 22?
Tough to say which is the biggest single issue specifically facing CD-22. From flood control to flood insurance, rising property taxes, inflation and health insurance to human trafficking and illegal immigration, there’s more than one big issue affecting the district, and I would work tirelessly to address them all. - What would be your top priority if you are elected?
My top priority would be election integrity reform. Our election systems are deeply flawed and rife for abuse on the national level. We must protect the voice of the American People because if we don’t then the establishment will simply install who they want in office to write the laws as they see fit. I am calling for a set of national standards to protect our election systems nationwide that would include voter ID, hand marked paper ballots, blockchain (or better) enabled tabulation software and several other layers of protection while maintaining voter anonymity. We can do this, I have a plan and Congress needs to act now. - What are your thoughts on border security?
Border security is crucial to our national security. We can’t afford to have open or porous borders. The cost of a southern border wall would pay for itself multiple times over from what we would save dealing with illegal immigration and criminal activity from our southern border. We must do everything possible to stop human and sex trafficking and border security is a key part of that. Technology also plays a key role. Another aspect of security involves updating immigration and work visa laws as well.
Jon Camarillo
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire
