Candidate responses may have been edited for length and clarity. For more information about voting in Harris County, click here. For more information about voting in Montgomery County, click here.
Candidates are included below in the order names appear on the Montgomery County ballot.
Jessica Wellington
Occupation: small-business owner
Relevant experience: education and career experience as district director for a congressman
281-676-5256
www.jessicawellingtonforcongress.com
Taylor Whichard IV
Occupation: director of public works
Relevant experience: engineer, large budget experience, financially conservative, government experience
936-689-2943
www.taylorwhichardforcongress.com
Chuck Montgomery
Occupation: voiceover talent
Relevant experience: not a politician, U.S. Air Force veteran
303-217-3648
www.facebook.com/chuckmontgomeryforcongress
Jonathan Hullihan
Occupation: attorney
Relevant experience: “I am not a career politician [but a] champion of the United States Constitution and the people. I am beholden to nobody but the people of District 8.”
www.hullihanfortexas.com
Morgan Luttrell
Occupation: founder and CEO of Trexxler Energy Solutions
Relevant experience: husband, father, former U.S. Navy SEAL, senior adviser to Rick Perry in the department of energy, adjunct professor at Sam Houston State University, small-business owner
www.morganluttrell.com
Dan McKaughan
Occupation: vice president of business development and lead estimator for Apcon Services LLC
Relevant experience: 20-year Navy officer, six years in small-business management
www.danmckaughan.com
Candice C. Burrows
Occupation: businesswoman, mother, homeschool teacher
Relevant experience: health care, restaurant, retail, film
www.candicecburrows.com
Michael Philips
Occupation: telecom executive
Relevant experience: Texan, Marine veteran, North Atlantic Trade Organization, NASA, MCI, Sprint/Nextel, small-business owner
703-855-2811
www.meetmikephilips.com
Jonathan A. Mitchell
Occupation: pipeliner/oil and gas consultant
Relevant experience: finishing multimillion-dollar projects efficiently and proficiently
832-521-4574
www.jonathanmitchellforcongress.com
Christian Collins
Occupation: Candidate did not submit a response as of publication
Relevant experience: founder of Texas Youth Summit, former Ted Cruz conservative activist
www.christiancollins.org
Betsy Bates
Occupation: multiple-physician office administrator, surgery tech
Relevant experience: office administrator for multiple-physician practice, patient advocate
www.betsybatescongress2022
Q: What makes you uniquely qualified to represent District 8?
Wellington: Education and career experience. I have a bachelor’s in political science from Baylor and a master’s in business from Texas A&M Commerce. My community news background allows me to ask the hard questions. Most importantly, I’m the only candidate who has worked in a congressional government office. I understand how the government works and will be able to hit the ground running for my constituents.Whichard: I am a petroleum engineer that spent 10 years in the oil and gas industry. Currently I am working as the director of public works for a city north of Conroe. I have both federal and local government experience. By nature, I am a problem solver, and I want to protect our freedoms for the future generations.
Montgomery: I am 100% America first. Texas-born and farm-raised. I'm not affiliated with any politician, nor have I asked for any endorsements. I'm self-funded and don't accept campaign contributions to ensure no strings are on me to do what's right by the folks of District 8.
Hullihan: I have served active duty in the Navy, which has afforded me executive leadership experience that I still practice daily as an attorney and in my role serving in The Navy Select Reserves. I have drafted legislation; am a certified ethics counselor; certified with a legal subspeciality certification in international law, military law and command advice. ... I have served as in-house counsel for the II Marine Expeditionary Force, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, Navy Special Warfare Group TWO, Naval Air Command (Blue Angels), Special Operations Command and the National Security Law Unit in Washington, D.C. ... I now practice business litigation, regulatory compliance, cyber security, data protection and privacy protection client services.
Luttrell: Candidate did not respond to requests for comment
McKaughan: I grew up in Montgomery. Started second grade there and graduated from Montgomery High School. This area is my home. I went to the Naval Academy and served 20 years in the Navy. I brought my family back home where people share the same values I grew up with and am instilling in my children. I have been vice president of a small business in the area for nearly six years.
Burrows: [I am a] working mother, homeschool [and] 10 years experience [in] health care [and] two years restaurant/retail.
Philips: I have been leading men and women for over 30 years in teams of 25 to over 200. ... I have been graced by God to be successful in every endeavor I have attempted. ... I have no fears in life. I have stood tall and I have routinely demonstrated moral, physical, ethical and political courage. I took on the House whip and head of the DCCC in 2010 and brought him down. ... I have demonstrated my ability to stand up to Nancy Pelosi, and now I will bring her down.
Mitchell: Being one of the common folk that grew up in District 8 and seeing the struggles that face our district.
Collins: In my time at the University of Texas ... I ... led a debate against the Democrats over ObamaCare. After college, I worked in the field knocking doors, calling and working on Greg Abbott’s gubernatorial campaign. ... I was a team member on Ted Cruz’s presidential campaign. ... I was then chosen to be Congressman Kevin Brady’s campaign manager where I led successful campaign teams ... and spoke often for him on current issues and policies. ... I’m a young next-generation conservative leader with an inroad to reaching the youth and young adults.
Bates: It’s my home. Representing District 8 is really taking the issues and concerns my family, friends and neighbors have to Washington and and providing solutions. I understand the pulse of the people want Montgomery county to stay red, safe and maintain that small-town help-your-neighbor community appeal.
Q: What are the biggest challenges facing District 8 presently, and how do you plan to address these?
Wellington: Inflation is a big issue. By halting funding to countries that hate us, the government will be able to add billions of dollars back to the budget. The supply chain is broken. We need to bring manufacturing back to America, especially for critical items. I want to make sure we have the appropriate incentives for companies who stay here and penalties for those that leave.Whichard: The biggest issues are indoctrination of our children, election security and uncontrolled social spending. To solve the problem of indoctrination, we simply allow school choice for the parents. ... We need to require voter ID and stop the practice of mail-in ballots to anyone who isn’t disabled or elderly. ... The only way to stop [uncontrolled spending] is to produce a balanced budget and cut funding to unneeded programs and bloated government programs.
Montgomery: Crime is going up because of our proximity to Houston, which has turned its court system into a revolving door. Perhaps it's time for the federal government to step in and place a nonrefundable fee on top or in lieu of a lack of bail for repeat offenders that must be paid in full before release. It's harder to post bail when you have to drop a nonrefundable $10,000 to get out. The more they repeat, the more it goes up each time.
Hullihan: The most pressing issues in the race deal with the American citizen losing their civil liberties and border security. I am a constitutional Republican, and many actions being taken today by the federal government are side-stepping the Constitution and not derived from the enumerated powers. I am consistent in my views and have a track record of defending the Constitution in my military and private law practices. ... The only people I am beholden to are the constituents of Congressional District 8.
Luttrell: Candidate did not respond to requests for comment
McKaughan: First, there is a deliberate attack on our Republic and our American values. ... If we are to restore and preserve our nation, we must go on the offensive to counter all that has been done to grow government, strip state sovereignty and deny the liberty of the individual. ... Second, ... we have become so divided that we can no longer communicate with each other. ... I believe if the federal government wasn’t so involved in every aspect of our lives, and the states regained the authority granted to them in the Constitution to be the individual laboratories of policy they’re designed to be, we could restore some semblance of “unity” and perhaps save our nation from a terrible future.
Burrows: Inflation, education, energy independence, school choice/voucher.
Philips: Abortion—I will support existing legislation to end abortions and I will submit a constitutional amendment to make sure we permanently end this abomination. Illegal immigration—I will submit legislation to complete the border wall with Mexico. Social Security—I will submit legislation to save Social Security before the average Social Security check is cut $440 per month. Welfare—I will submit legislation to require a successful drug test annually before receiving welfare.
Mitchell: Keeping jobs, ensuring that small businesses are able to utilize any and all grants as well as trying to cut taxes to help pay for more staff and higher wages.
Collins: Inflation, whether be the cost of gas or the price of goods and services, has affected everyone we know. We’ve got to rein in out-of-control spending and get our country economically back on track.
Bates: We need to monitor our wonderful county so we don’t destroy it with overgrowth. Illegal immigration cost taxpayers millions; citizens should always come first. We must monitor this situation closely. With growth comes infrastructure needs; we need golf cart and bike lanes to shopping areas. Especially on Fish Creek [Thoroughfare], [FM] 1488 and [Hwy.] 105, etc. Talk about helping the environment, this cuts down on automobile traffic and allows teens transportation without having to drive a car.
Q: If elected, what will be your first action?
Wellington: In the district, I will create a broad-reaching outreach program. As a former district director, I know how to make sure that a congressional office is accessible and offers the best constituent services. In D.C., I will work to halt funding to countries that hate America and do not align with our ideals.Whichard: Introduce legislation to possibly remove the Department of Education and allow the states to decide on their education. Also included would be to allow parents the option of school choice so they can decide how their child is to be educated.
Montgomery: Hold town hall meetings across the district to listen to constituents issues and take notes for good ideas provided. It's not me, it's we who will bring prosperity to our district. We can fix a broken system together.
Hullihan: I will introduce legislation that is in alignment with the Constitution. To work with like-minded members of Congress to take back liberty; to defend the personal liberties of all Americans. I would like to introduce meaningful and impactful legislation on border security, USC Title 8 reform and requiring remittance for the transfer of wealth from illegal aliens to foreign countries. I would like to investigate the relationship between the Democrat party and social media platforms that stifle the free speech of Americans at the behest of the government.
Luttrell: Candidate did not respond to requests for comment
McKaughan: Where to begin? There are so many things to do. Probably propose legislation to defund unconstitutional bureaucracies (Department of Education for example) in an effort to return the government to its constitutional box.
Burrows: Oppose COVID[-19] vaccine mandates, demand government transparency.
Philips: Submit a constitutional amendment to end abortions.
Mitchell: Bring back the Keystone pipeline and drilling to make us energy independent and to lower inflation.
Collins: I’m running to find out the truth using congressional powers and subpoenas of what happened in the 2020 election; I will be a relentless bulldog in exposing Dr. Fauci’s involvement in the creation of gain of function research as well as find out the government’s involvement in Jan. 6. I’m running to be a relentless truth-seeker to expose the deep state and ruling state.
Bates: Impeaching [President Joe] Biden, then [Vice President Kamala] Harris. You have to realize that any significant legislation passed while he is still in office will never get past his desk.
Q: How do you plan to support the local business community in District 8?
Wellington: I plan to create a small-business task force from across the district. I want to regularly interact with them and hear their concerns. Also, I will take feedback from business in my district to D.C. and use it to create legislation and make policy decisions.Whichard: By reducing corporate and business tax. This will increase their revenue and foster economic growth within the communities.
Montgomery: Our supply chain is killing everyone. We can't make goods without raw materials. For the time being, we need to get our ports sorted out. Reroute the flow of imports so they aren't bottlenecked at one port, such as off the Californian coast and override individual state requirements for truckers with a temporary standard federal requirement to ensure a smooth flow from the ports to business warehouse doors.
Hullihan: By first and foremost listening, then I would work to reinstate the deregulation processes put in place by the Trump administration. Deregulation is pro consumer. Deregulation stimulates the economic growth of our economy, lowers prices for consumers, increases competition that allows for greater consumer choice.
Luttrell: Candidate did not respond to requests for comment
McKaughan: As the backbone of local economies, small businesses need to be given as much freedom and flexibility to operate unencumbered as possible. I propose eliminating the income tax and abolishing the 16th Amendment. I support the fair tax. This plan "replaces federal income taxes including personal, estate, gift, capital gains, alternative minimum, Social Security, Medicare, self-employment and corporate taxes" [according to www.fairtax.org]. The amount of growth in our economies would be staggering.
Burrows: Promote energy independence and open up drilling again/reduce regulations, oppose COVID[-19] vaccine mandates.
Philips: I will propose a plan in Congress to reduce taxes on all businesses in steps from the existing rate to 15%, then 12% and finally switch from traditional business income tax to a sales tax between businesses at 12%.
Mitchell: Helping to find any and all grants, and trying to get a tax cut to hire more staff.
Collins: I would seek to serve on the small-business committee so that I could directly represent the needs and concerns of my constituents. I’ll regularly host calls with the business leaders, write newsletters, do surveys and questionnaires, speak at local events and do town halls throughout the district to hear from constituents. Being that communication is a two-way street, I’m eager to listen to the concerns and ideas of my constituents.
Bates: All business are essential. I will fight to keep you open and free from federal overreaching mandates and regulations. Stop the COVID[-19] testing that is crippling business requiring workers to have to test or using the excuse of testing to get out of work. Incentives to hire veterans and the handicapped that want to work. Having regular county small-business sit-down events so they can be heard.
Q: What do you believe Congress’ role should be in COVID-19 response, and how would you work with officials at the county level?
Wellington: I am a big supporter of state and local rights. Congress has no business making private health decisions for Americans or engaging in federal government overreach. Congress should always work to protect the constitutional rights of Americans. Part of my plan is to always stay in contact with local leaders. I view us as one team that will work to the benefit of the district.Whichard: Congress’ role should have been to stop the [federal] administration from trying to implement unconstitutional mandates on the American people. The federal government’s role in the pandemic was to provide the American people with facts, [personal protective equipment] and vaccines. This pandemic should have never been politicized. I would work with the counties to ensure they had the funding they needed to provide adequate vaccines and PPE to those who wanted it.
Montgomery: I believe Congress should step in to protect individual health care freedoms from the government and corporations. Corporations are spineless and left leaning because they have no reason to fear retaliation from the right. We have to give the choice back to individuals. I refuse to give into vaccine mandates for COVID-19.
Hullihan: On the local, state and federal level, shutdowns and mask mandates have been one of the largest blunders of modern times. It is unconstitutional from a federal level, as it is not an enumerated power to the federal government, and when used by the states, it is anti-science and anti-liberty. Congress’ role should not be to instill fear and division, but to defend individual liberties.
Luttrell: Candidate did not respond to requests for comment
McKaughan: Initially COVID[-19] was a national issue because we didn’t understand what we were facing. Or maybe we did and just weren’t getting the whole of the truth. Now that we understand better, and there are more sources of correct information, the federal responsibility is done and the states can handle from here on. Since we have these federally funded vaccines, the federal government should still provide those to folks who want them.
Burrows: Make COVID[-19] vaccine by choice, eliminate mandate; promote early treatments [such as] hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin [and] monoclonal antibodies.
Philips: Congress should pass a law allowing the use of hydroxychloroquine and other drugs without the interference of the FDA to defeat this illness. I believe Congress should enact legislation to punish China for killing 800,000 Americans and millions more worldwide to include eliminating our debt with China. We can best serve our counties and work with local officials by allowing seniors that have survived COVID[-19] to give/donate blood plasma.
Mitchell: Not violating our 14th Amendment rights, and backing the local government to stand strong and not give in.
Collins: Congress would do best to listen to their constituents, business owners in their community, and local county officials to learn about how they can best assist in response to COVID-19. That may mean providing federal resources where needed or being a liaison between the business community and government agencies.
Bates: I'm going to start day one to get therapeutics like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine approved to be over-the-counter nonprescription medications. If you think you're getting sick, you can start prevention in hours without making a doctor's appointment. At the local level, monoclonal antibodies also help in flu prevention. I will work to get a functioning clinic in Montgomery Country that that’s all they do. Let’s face reality—the flu and strains of COVID[-19] are never going away, so let’s tackle the problem and move on with our lives.
Q: What steps would you take at the national level to help local school districts address recent learning loss?
Wellington: I would engage the school districts in [District 8] to learn about their challenges and suggestions. I would also talk to the state representatives that cover my district, because they are the ones who enact legislation regarding Texas schools. I would take all of this information, draft a position paper, promote it on the House floor and in the media. .... In addition, I would utilize federal resources like NASA, the Smithsonian, the Library of Congress and other entities that already successfully utilize comprehensive digital learning platforms for children.Whichard: I would propose or co-sponsor legislation that makes it illegal for a school to close in-person learning or to remove federal funding from schools that do close down.
Montgomery: You can't put toothpaste back in the tube without significant time and cost. We can learn from what has happened, though, and ensure that schools are kept open unless absolutely necessary, unlike the current situation in Chicago, where teachers still refuse to work. Distance learning doesn't work. Kids need to socialize. Our immune systems need to be tested. Non-COVID[-19] illness ran rampant at the start of school because our immune systems took the year off.
Hullihan: The federal government has no authority over education and should not use their power or resources to influence education within the various states. The Department of Education should be abolished. This is largely an unfunded mandate by the federal government that should be rescinded or left up to the various states to decide.
Luttrell: Candidate did not respond to requests for comment
McKaughan: The more regulations we remove from states and localities, the freer they are to do the actions they deem necessary to effectively and efficiently meet local needs.
Burrows: School choice/vouchers, eliminate mask and vaccine mandates. Promoting classical education, oppose CRT content.
Philips: The decline in education in the United States has been going on for decades. There is no leadership in the Department of Education as evidenced by our national decline to 27th place worldwide. I would propose to merge the Department of Education under the leadership at NASA where they truly understand what STEM stands for and can actually provide answers to our education issues. I would put a lot more emphasis on building schools and promoting education of 'the trades.'
Mitchell: By removing the federal education system and placing the education system back in the local and state level. Our issue is a local and state issue, due to the cultural differences that we have, our children cannot be placed on a one size fits all.
Collins: By and large, these issues are mostly addressed on the state level. That said, I will work alongside our state elected officials as well as our school district leaders to provide whatever resources we can provide from a federal level.
Bates: There are excellent resources like Sylvan Learning Centers that provide private tutoring. Let’s work with organizations like this one and others through state vouchers to get children who’ve fallen behind the help they need. Or pay qualified teachers a stipend to tutor. I also plan on bringing legislation to dismantle the Department of Education and return it to the state and local levels where education belongs. This will dissolve the teachers unions and put curriculum and school choice back in the hands of parents, where it belongs.
