Three candidates are running in the Nov. 5 election to represent District 21 in Congress.
Republican incumbent Chip Roy is up against Democratic candidate Kristin Hook and Libertarian candidate Bob King.
Community Impact reached out to the candidates to get their perspectives on their priorities if elected.
What you need to know
Texas' 21st congressional district covers an area stretching from North San Antonio through most of Comal County, parts of Guadalupe and Hays counties, and part of Austin, as well as covering all of Bandera, Blanco, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr and Real counties.
Early voting starts Oct. 21. Election Day will be held Nov. 5.
Candidates were asked to limit their answers to 50 words, and asked to address the question and not attack other candidates. Answers may have been cut or edited to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
*denotes incumbent
Chip Roy
Experience:
Former chief of staff for the U.S. Senate, former first assistant attorney general
Occupation:
Incumbent third term congressman
Candidate Website:
https://www.chiproy.com
Contact Information:
[email protected]
Why are you the best choice for the job?
Established as an independent leader in House of Reps, earned several leadership positions though work and passed multiple pieces of legislation this Congress.
What is the most important issue facing your constituents, and how do you intend to address it?
Inflation. This is a bipartisan issue caused first and foremost by excess spending, but also regulation and interference from DC. Balance the budget (or set path to balance) and minimize DC’s interference in our daily lives.
What specific policies or initiatives would you propose to address the challenges of urbanization and development?
In federal matters, the most pressing issue is reining in massive corporate subsidies and federal spending that distorts markets and allow otherwise non-viable projects to move forward.
Are there any specific infrastructure projects you believe are crucial for the district’s development?
Greatest concerns are water and thoughtful development, which should be driven heavily by local and state authorities. We’ve held some meetings to get stakeholder input and encourage local leaders to be aggressive. I do not participate in earmarks but will assist with grant process ...
Kristin Hook
Experience:
Former middle school teacher, reproductive biologist, and science and technology expert in our federal government
Occupation:
Scientist
Candidate Website:
https://www.drkristinhook.org
Contact Information:
[email protected]
Why are you the best choice for the job?
I grew up here in Texas, and I will fight for working class families like my own. As a scientist, I am trained to solve complex problems and will work across the aisle to help solve the critical issues we face. I will bring sensible leadership to Congress.
What is the most important issue facing your constituents, and how do you intend to address it?
Rising costs are harming TX-21 families. I want our economy to work for every generation of Texan, especially our middle class, and will support legislation that reduces the cost of housing, healthcare, groceries and caretaking. I will also protect Social Security and Medicare and bolster our small business owners.
What specific policies or initiatives would you propose to address the challenges of urbanization and development?
Our district is rapidly growing, straining our water supply and causing traffic. I will work with state and local entities to ensure we are conserving water and promoting sustainable development practices and infrastructure projects that reduce traffic and prioritize water conservation for our communities, local businesses, farmers and ranchers.
Are there any specific infrastructure projects you believe are crucial for the district’s development?
More than 9 million people are expected to live in the San Antonio-Austin mega-region by 2050. The heavy traffic congestion on I-35 will only get worse, so we need to prioritize transportation infrastructure projects that enable faster and easier transit, such as an intercity passenger rail, and water conservation projects.
Bob King
Experience:
Financial executive, nonprofit executive and consultant, and taxpayer
Occupation:
Retired
Candidate Website:
https://www.bobkingfortexas-21.org
Contact Information:
713-824-6488
Why are you the best choice for the job?
I'm a career citizen, not a career politician. I’m not a shrill partisan, and will find common ground with anyone of goodwill. I have both corporate and nonprofit experience. I know how to budget, and know that nonprofits serve the needy more effectively and efficiently than does government.
What is the most important issue facing your constituents and how do you intend to address it?
Our national debt is expanding beyond control. We must cut spending or face financial ruin in this generation. Congress must budget responsibly, which will entail making many hard decisions. Everything must be on the table, no sacred cows except benefits for veterans and those already retired.
What specific policies or initiatives would you propose to address the challenges of urbanization and development?
State and local leaders know better than the feds what’s best for them. We need more federalism, allowing each state to resolve their issues. Let California be California, let Texas be Texas, and let citizens vote with their feet. It would reduce the rancor and result in better decisions.
Are there any specific infrastructure projects you believe are crucial for the district’s development?
I oppose giant government boondoggles that waste taxpayer dollars. Such projects should be privately financed. What the federal government must do is to fix our immigration mess, reducing illegal immigration so Texans can once again trust government to simplify and expand the legal immigration that we desperately need.
