Note: When Jodey Arrington decided not to run for relection after what will be a decade in Congress representing the 19th District, it opened up a race where seven Republicans are hoping to take his place. Candidates are listed in ballot order. The winner will face Democrat Kyle Rable in November’s General Election. Candidate Ryan Zink did not respond to our questions.
Matt Smith
What are your three priorities and if elected, what will you do about them?
Matt Smith Credit: Campaign FB page
Priority 1: Secure the border and restore law and order.
West Texas pays the price for a border that isn’t controlled — through fentanyl, trafficking, crime and pressure on local communities.
If elected, I will:
Stop illegal entry by finishing effective physical barriers and enforcing existing law.
End incentives that encourage crossing, including weak enforcement and loopholes.
Empower Border Patrol and law enforcement with clear authority and resources.
Fix legal immigration so it is clear, orderly and enforced with strong vetting.
A nation that cannot control who enters is not sovereign. Securing the border is a moral and practical responsibility.
Priority 2: Get government off the backs of families and small businesses.
I’ve spent over a decade building businesses, meeting payroll, navigating permits and serving customers. I know firsthand how inflation, regulation and uncertainty crush families and employers.
I will:
Cut unnecessary federal regulations that slow growth and raise costs.
Extend pro-growth tax policy so families keep more of what they earn.
Rein in unelected bureaucracies that make rules without accountability.
Push power back to states, communities and families.
Prosperity doesn’t come from Washington — it comes from people being free to work, build and provide.
Priority 3: Restore integrity and accountability in Washington.
My vision is revival in government — leaders who fear God, tell the truth, and serve people, not insiders.
matt smith
My vision is revival in government — leaders who fear God, tell the truth, and serve people, not insiders.
I support:
Banning congressional insider trading.
Term limits and real accountability.
Running government like an operation, with measurable results.
My mission: expose corruption, secure the border, cut red tape, deliver results — with Texas grit and people over politics.
Separate from that, what is one federal issue that uniquely affects Lubbock/Abilene or West Texas and what would you do about it?
Energy policy. West Texas powers the nation — oil, gas, and molten technology — yet Washington policies too often treat energy producers like a political problem instead of a national asset.
I will:
Streamline federal permitting and end politically driven delays.
Stop hostility toward American energy workers.
Defend energy independence as a matter of national security.
Keep jobs, investment and production in West Texas — not overseas.
I’ve worked alongside contractors and energy workers who want to produce responsibly and safely but are blocked by federal red tape. These policies raise costs on families and weaken America.
West Texas knows how to produce energy responsibly. Washington needs to get out of the way.
Outside the office you are seeking, what are the ways you have participated in the community, for example boards or volunteer positions?
I’ve spent my adult life building, serving and investing locally.
Business owner and employer for over a decade.
Served on industry and nonprofit boards.
Crisis pregnancy centers.
Street evangelism.
Global missions.
Faith-based and community organizations.
Mentored young people and young leaders
My wife and I homeschool our children and are currently in the adoption process. We’ve also walked closely with families facing addiction and crisis — offering mentorship, prayer, and practical support.
Community isn’t something I talk about.
It’s how we live.
Is there an issue where you differ from President Trump?
I supported many of President Trump’s policies — especially on the border, energy and the economy.
Where I sometimes differ is tone and delivery.
I believe conservative principles win best when strength is paired with:
Clarity
Consistency
Steady leadership
My focus is less on personalities and more on results — protecting families, restoring trust and governing with discipline. Strong leadership needs a great team to be effective.
Name a federal policy Arrington has championed you would continue and why?
I would continue Congressman Arrington’s focus on border security.
A secure border is:
Public safety
National sovereignty
Economic stability
West Texas understands this. When the border fails, communities pay the price — through crime, drugs and instability. Enforcing the law and stopping trafficking isn’t political theater; it’s a core responsibility of government.
On border security, I will build on what works and push it further.
Name one policy where you’d change course from Arrington and why?
I would push harder for institutional accountability inside Congress.
That includes:
* Banning congressional insider trading.
• Ending career politics.
• Adding real consequences for failure.
Washington works best when members act like stewards, not insiders. Right now, there’s too little accountability and too much self-protection.
Restoring trust means reforming Congress itself — not just passing talking-point legislation.
What A-F grade would you give Congress over the past two years and why?
I’d give Congress a D-.
Spending is out of control.
The border is still broken.
Too much messaging, not enough results
There are good people serving, but the institution is failing at its most basic responsibilities. Families and businesses have to live within limits. Congress refuses to.
Results matter. Excuses don’t.
If Congress can’t pass — and balance — a budget, you shouldn’t be eligible for re-election.
Matt smith
How would you balance the federal budget and how long would it take?
If Congress can’t pass — and balance — a budget, you shouldn’t be eligible for re-election.
Balancing the budget starts with accountability.
I support:
Line-by-line spending review.
Caps on spending growth
Responsible entitlement reform
But discipline requires consequences. I’m open to legislation making members of Congress ineligible for re-election if they fail to pass a budget or continue running deficits.
Families don’t get to ignore math.
Washington shouldn’t either.
With real accountability, we can stabilize the budget within five to seven years.
Tom Sell
What are your three priorities and if elected, what will you do about them?
Tom Sell Credit: Campaign FB page.
As your representative in the U.S. House, I will work to (1) rein in the size of the federal government, including support for a balanced federal budget, working to eliminate the national debt, and chucking costly regulations that frustrates economic growth and kills jobs; (2) preserve and rebuild the traditional, conservative values that made – and makes – America great, including protecting First Amendment rights of religion, promoting policies that help young couples to marry and raise a family and ensuring our schools are instilling strong values that will see our kids through a lifetime; (3) promote a robust West Texas economy that creates good paying jobs so our kids can live, work and raise a family right here on the High Plains, including by promoting our agriculture, energy, military, health care, transportation, housing, data and other important sectors of our economy. We owe it to our kids and our kids’ kids to do as our parents did and leave the next generation better off than the way things were left to us.
I’ve spent an entire career getting things done for West Texans and the economic sectors that create jobs for our people and as your representative in the U.S. House, I’ll keep after it, making sure our top priorities are met.
Separate from that, what is one federal issue that uniquely affects Lubbock/Abilene or West Texas and what would you do about it?
President Trump has once again unleashed U.S. energy production, West Texas has led the way and we must continue policies that build on this success. The president has rightly said time and again that food security is national security and, here again, West Texas farm and ranch families lead the way in food and fiber production. We need to have their backs. The president has fought to rebuild our military, including the Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene and we must never again retreat in the face of an increasingly dangerous world. And, having served on a hospital foundation board, I know that rural health care continues to be a top issue for West Texans. I’ve spent an entire career getting things done for West Texans and the economic sectors that create jobs for our people and as your representative in the U.S. House, I’ll keep after it, making sure our top priorities are met.
Outside the office you are seeking, what are the ways you have participated in the community, for example boards or volunteer positions?
I’ve had the privilege of serving the community in many different ways, including as an active part of our church community, as a hospital foundation board member, as an officer in Breedlove which feeds hungry people around the world with what we produce right here at home and coaching Little League baseball. Kyla and I have gotten to know so many other families and made so many friends in our community and throughout West Texas through volunteering and we wouldn’t ever trade in these incredible experiences, ones our kids will always cherish and never forget.
Is there an issue where you have a different opinion than President Trump?
I’m a tried-and-true Red Raiders football fan and the President seems to favor Army, Navy, Alabama, LSU and Clemson, but I know I can win him over. He’s a smart guy. We just need to get him out to West Texas.
Name a federal policy Arrington has championed you would continue and why?
Jodey is a longtime friend and I admire his record of public service. He was the tip of the spear in President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill that prevented the largest tax increase in history, unleashed U.S. energy production, beefed up the Farm Bill, rebuilt America’s military, restored border security and cut wasteful spending. Jodey has also been working to “Reverse the Curse,” encouraging fortitude in members of Congress to not deficit spend as we have. It’s a hard path, but I’m eager to carry that torch forward.
Jodey has built the reputation of Texas District 19 as the Food, Fuel, and Fiber Capital of the World, but I will seek a way to be even louder and prouder about our West Texas life and culture that blesses our nation and world.
tom sell
Name one policy where you’d change course from Arrington and why?
Jodey has built the reputation of Texas District 19 as the Food, Fuel, and Fiber Capital of the World, but I will seek a way to be even louder and prouder about our West Texas life and culture that blesses our nation and world.
What A-F grade would you give Congress over the past two years and why?
On moving President Trump’s agenda forward, including preventing the largest tax increase in history; making tax relief permanent and cutting taxes for seniors, young families with kids, and wage earners; cutting wasteful spending; rebuilding our military; securing our border; unleashing American energy production; strengthening farm policies; and other things important to West Texans, I’d give Congressional Republicans an A+. On harmful government shutdowns, I’d give the other side an F. There was a day and age when the interests of the country were put over the interests of politics and I hope to restore that sense of shared responsibility.
How would you balance the federal budget and how long would it take?
We’ve had a balanced budget once in my lifetime. I was directly exposed to the budget process at the time, working for Larry Combest. Nobody predicted a budget surplus, but the key was economic growth and fiscal responsibility. President Trump has proven he knows how to move an economy forward, to create growth and good-paying jobs, but he needs support in Congress and a Fed that doesn’t throw sand in the gears. Some think the answer is tax increases. They’re dead wrong. Economic growth and fiscal discipline are the right prescriptions. I’d pursue a balanced budget within 10 years.
James Barbee
What are your three priorities and if elected, what will you do about them?
Term Limits: No more than two terms in any elected position.
Abolish income tax and institute a flat federal sales tax.
james barbee
James Bob Barbee Credit: Campaign FB page.
Tax Reform: Abolish income tax and institute a flat federal sales tax. This more than doubles our tax base and has everyone in this country contributing instead of just the hard-working taxpayers. We need to quit punishing people for being fiscally responsible.
Healthcare: My healthcare plan will reduce costs to rates before the 200 percent markup we see now. It will offer this to every citizen in this country and will bring in revenue to the government to help make Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid solvent. We can also use these funds to end deficit spending and start reducing our debt.
Separate from that, what is one federal issue that uniquely affects Lubbock/Abilene or West Texas and what would you do about it?
I believe there should be an automatic subsidy program that insures anyone affected by tariff trades a reasonable price for their products. The government shouldn’t use your product as a bargaining chip and not subsidize you.
Outside the office you are seeking, what are the ways you have participated in the community, for example boards or volunteer positions?
I served on the Board of Directors for the Abilene Christian University Credit Union for five years. I served on the South Abilene Softball Association board for nine years as everything from field maintenance to president. I was chairman of the board that adopted the new fire code for the city of Abilene. I’m a lifetime member of the VFW post 6873 and serve the veterans of our community.
Is there an issue where you have a different opinion than President Trump?
I feel President Trump has done a really good job considering the catastrophe he was handed. I think the main thing we differ on is how to solve healthcare but I don’t believe he’s heard my plan yet.
Name a federal policy Arrington has championed you would continue and why?
I think Mr. Arrington has been a big help with border security and that’s something that we definitely need to continue pursuing.
I believe every candidate should fund their own campaign. If we made this change alone it would at least insure we would get a fiscally responsible candidate. Money has ruined our political process and I believe this is the reason for low voter turnout.
james barbee
Name one policy where you’d change course from Arrington and why?
Term limits and campaign finance. I believe every candidate should fund their own campaign. If we made this change alone it would at least insure we would get a fiscally responsible candidate. Money has ruined our political process and I believe this is the reason for low voter turnout.
What A-F grade would you give Congress over the past two years and why?
I believe a D-. They’ve done nothing to end the deficit spending and start lowering the debt. In fact, they continue to raise the debt ceiling. This is not only ridiculous, it’s dangerous to our defense and our democracy.
How would you balance the federal budget and how long would it take?
My healthcare care plan brings new revenue to our government. All this requires is they start working for you as hard as we’ve worked for them! My plan ends deficit spending, makes Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid solvent again and pays down our debt. It took our government two decades to get in this situation. We can be out of debt in 10 years. It’s going to take several changes. We must stop the waste, fraud and abuse and we need tax reform. My plan also doesn’t increase taxes on taxpayers and doesn’t increase the size of government.
Abraham Enriquez
What are your three priorities and if elected, what will you do about them?
Abraham Enriquez. Credit: Bienvenido website.
My three priorities are border security, energy and economic growth, and protecting constitutional freedoms and families.
First, border security is national security. West Texas communities feel the consequences of cartel activity, fentanyl trafficking and human smuggling. I will support finishing the wall, ending catch-and-release, increasing Border Patrol resources and designating cartels as terrorist organizations. Congress must restore law and order at the border.
Second, I will fight for an energy-driven economy that unleashes West Texas oil, gas and agriculture. Washington’s overregulation has harmed producers, raised costs and slowed job growth. I will work to roll back harmful EPA rules, protect water rights for farmers and ranchers, expand drilling and pipeline capacity to keep Texas energy dominant. A strong energy sector means good jobs, lower prices and national security.
Third, I will defend constitutional freedoms and strengthen families. I serve on the NRA’s National Outreach Committee and will always defend the Second Amendment. I will support pro-life policies, protect parental rights in education and push back against federal overreach that undermines faith, family and local control.
These priorities are about restoring common sense: secure the border, grow the economy and protect the freedoms that make Texas strong.
Farmers and ranchers across the South Plains depend on the Ogallala for irrigation and production. Federal environmental regulations and one-size-fits-all water policies often ignore the realities of arid West Texas agriculture.
Abraham enriquez
Name one federal issue that uniquely affects West Texas and what would you do about it?
A uniquely West Texas issue is the Ogallala Aquifer and federal water policy.
Farmers and ranchers across the South Plains depend on the Ogallala for irrigation and production. Federal environmental regulations and one-size-fits-all water policies often ignore the realities of arid West Texas agriculture.
I will work to ensure federal agencies respect local groundwater districts and private property rights. We need incentives for conservation technology, support for crop innovation and federal research partnerships with Texas Tech University to extend the life of the aquifer without crippling producers.
Washington must stop treating West Texas with a cookie-cutter mentality. Our water challenges are unique and policy must reflect that.
Outside the office you are seeking, what are the ways you have participated in the community, for example boards or volunteer positions?
I founded a nationwide conservative outreach organization that began as a grassroots effort here in Lubbock and earned recognition from the Republican National Committee with its Rising Star Award. I serve on the NRA’s National Outreach Committee, working to expand Second Amendment education and engagement. I regularly partner with local pastors, business owners and civic leaders across Lubbock and West Texas to support families, faith communities and small businesses. My work has always been rooted in bringing people together around shared values and strengthening the communities we call home.
Is there an issue where you differ from President Trump?
President Trump reshaped the Republican Party by putting America First, securing the border and restoring economic and foreign-policy strength. There isn’t much I’ve disagreed with him on. As a vetted two-term advisor to President Trump, I worked alongside his team to help advance more than a dozen conservative bills in Congress that protect America. Where I would add emphasis is on the long-term water and agricultural sustainability challenges unique to West Texas, especially aquifer conservation and rural infrastructure, ensuring federal policy better reflects our region’s realities while continuing to advance the America First agenda we share.
Name a federal policy Arrington has championed you would continue and why?
Jodey Arrington has been a strong advocate for fiscal responsibility, serving on the House Budget Committee. I would continue his push for serious budget reform and spending discipline. Washington’s runaway spending has fueled inflation and weakened our economy. His leadership on budget matters aligns with my belief that Congress must return to responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars and restore financial accountability.
I believe we must take a more aggressive posture in confronting federal agencies that overregulate energy and agriculture. I would push for faster, stronger legislative efforts to roll back EPA and federal land use rules that hurt West Texas producers.
abraham enriquez
Name one policy where you’d change course from Arrington and why?
While Congressman Arrington has served the district diligently, I believe we must take a more aggressive posture in confronting federal agencies that overregulate energy and agriculture. I would push for faster, stronger legislative efforts to roll back EPA and federal land use rules that hurt West Texas producers. Our district needs a louder, more confrontational voice when federal bureaucrats threaten our livelihoods. That also means a farm bill that truly supports West Texas producers.
What A-F grade would you give Congress over the past two years and why?
I would give Congress a C. Lawmakers have failed to truly control spending. President Trump inherited a mess after Biden. Too much time has been spent on political theater and not enough on delivering results. Americans expect Congress to solve problems, not create them. President Trump has made great strides, but there is more work to be done.
How would you balance the federal budget and how long would it take?
Balancing the budget will require multi-year discipline. I would support a plan to balance it within 8-10 years through spending caps, eliminating wasteful programs, expanding domestic energy production to grow revenue and reforming entitlement programs to ensure long-term solvency without harming current seniors. Growth and discipline must work together.
Don May
What are your three priorities and if elected, what will you do about them?
Don May. Credit: Campaign FB page.
I will work to bring down costs and increase wages by ensuring the awesome potential of our agriculture production and our energy production are unleashed and protected by laws. Our increased production of food, fiber and energy will bring down inflation because supplies of goods in the United States will continue to increase.
I will work to bring down the cost of healthcare while increasing the quality and safety of healthcare. Healthcare Savings Accounts will give patients money to purchase their own healthcare, allowing them to purchase health insurance plans suited to their needs and providing them with coverage for more serious medical problems and for catastrophic health problems.
I will work to make our military and our national security invincible. I will work to permanently establish our border security and President Trump’s America First Agenda with laws.
There are too many serving in Congress who are unfamiliar with essential issues we and our nation face and are highly dependent on advisors to inform them and to help them to understand the issues at hand.
Incompetent persons in leadership positions and people who are poorly informed and misled by lobbyists and others can misuse technologies and inadequately defend us unless increasing numbers of aware and highly informed persons are added to our Congress.
I can quickly respond to scientific and historic misinformation. I have experience with AI, economics, military, health care, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, education, nuclear and conventional energy.
I am an academic retina surgeon, I was a full professor of Health Organization Management and I helped run major medical centers and hospitals, reaccredit them and take them to excellence.
I am going to actively help direct the dialogue and write the legislation in the U.S. House. I will not just be a conservative “me too” supporter voting the right way.
The oversight of Artificial Intelligence must come from our president and from Congress. Innovation must be allowed and encouraged while safeguards are developed to ensure that we remain in control of the computers and Artificial Intelligence, computers.
donald may
Separate from that, what is one federal issue that uniquely affects Lubbock/Abilene or West Texas and what would you do about it?
West Texas is quickly becoming an Artificial Intelligence center for the United States, as massive AI investments are being made in West Texas.
The oversight of Artificial Intelligence must come from our president and from Congress. Innovation must be allowed and encouraged while safeguards are developed to ensure that we remain in control of the computers and Artificial Intelligence, computers. Artificial Intelligence must remain our servants and tools and do not become our masters and bad people with powerful computers cannot turn the awesome power of Artificial Intelligence against us, our nation and our national security.
We are all justifiably concerned about Artificial Intelligence.
Computers in Silicon Valley assigned AI tasks began disregarding the humans directing their tasks and started communicating with each other in a new language not understood by humans. The computers were stopped and leadership went to President Trump requesting halting AI until safeguards could be established. However, we are in a critical AI survival race with China, AI development is proceeding and safeguards are developed as progress is made.
We must ensure computers like HAL in “2001: A Space Odyssey” do not seek to eliminate us.
We must ensure James Bond villain wannabees can be stopped.
Outside the office you are seeking, what are the ways you have participated in the community, for example boards or volunteer positions?
Lubbock Board of Health helped shut down Lubbock Planned Parenthood.
Member small rural Lutheran church ancestors founded >175 years ago. Attend Lubbock First United Methodist Church.
Member Vatican Exhibition 2002 Foundation, serving as foundation liaison.
Member American Farm Bureau Federation since 1993.
Served as president of Lubbock International Cultural Center, Inc., bringing speakers Edwin Meese, Dick Morris, Stephen Moore and James Carafano to Lubbock.
Life member of Lubbock Military Officers Association of America, American Legion and American Legion Post # 575.
Distinguished Life Member of National Rifle Association.
Member Rotary Club of Lubbock (Paul Harris Fellow) and Lubbock Lions Club.
Is there an issue where you have a different opinion than President Trump?
While President Trump and I agree we must proceed to soon establish our presence on our Moon and on Mars, we need to delay human travel to Mars until we have a nuclear propulsion system that will allow us to quickly return astronauts the 128 million miles from Mars and back to Earth within a few weeks and not in one or two years.
Any person can quickly become seriously ill or injured and require urgent care on Earth. We witnessed this recently with the urgent return of an ill astronaut from the Space Station within days and not months.
Name a federal policy Arrington has championed you would continue and why?
Representative Jodey Arrington’s greatest legislative accomplishment was President Donald J. Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” My support for the bill is assured, because as Arrington stated, the “‘Big Beautiful Bill’ is the primary legislative vehicle for advancing President Trump’s America First Agenda, which includes the largest tax and spending cuts, the largest single investment in national and border security and the most significant welfare reforms in U.S. history.”
I will build on Arrington’s “Big Beautiful Bill” and his legislative accomplishments, including restoring cotton to the Farm Bill, securing the B-21 at Dyess Air Force Base and establishing the Ports-to-Plains federal highway.
I will devote time to developing a rational health care policy which both political parties can support.
Donald May
Name one policy where you’d change course from Arrington and why?
I will devote time to developing a rational health care policy which both political parties can support.
We must encourage private entities, including investors and religious organizations, to provide for our health care needs, competing and innovating for quality and cost savings. Private entities competing to deliver health care for personal, VA, county, and state. Needs will significantly increase quality and safety while lowering costs.
We must allow working, welfare and retired persons and their families to have medical savings accounts they can use to purchase health care and competitive health care insurance products, just as they purchase automotive insurance.
What A-F grade would you give Congress over the past two years and why?
C- … the lack of informed Congressional leaders has almost destroyed the United States, which is a primary reason for me to run. Congress needs informed leaders who are able to quickly communicate calmly and logically.
Democrats have been able to make absurd claims with few Republicans able to respond with concise logical information to counter the assertions of the Democrats. Bills are passed without reading or understanding, money is wasted on unwarranted green energy projects, including electric vehicles people do not want to purchase.
Republicans must have the facts and present convincing arguments the American people can understand and will support.
How would you balance the federal budget and how long would it take?
I will work to eliminate abuse, fraud and waste and return costly education and welfare programs to the states to drain the swamp, remove criminals, cut regulations, lower taxes, increase productivity and tax revenue and unleash the awesome potential of United States agriculture and energy production, and to lease the use of our immensely valuable federal resources, ensuring our federal government is adequately paid for its oil, natural gas, rare earths, metals, coal, wood, timber and other resources.
If Republicans gain seats in Congress, we should balance the budget in a few years and then pay down the national debt.
Jason Corley
What are your three priorities and if elected, what will you do about them?
Jason Corley (imaged sharpened with A.I.) Credit: Lubbock County website.
My first priority is to reassign the IRS to audit all recipients of foreign and domestic federal aid. The American people should not live in fear of their own government. The waste and theft committed against the American people is committed predominantly by those who receive money from the government. Not those who fund it.
My second priority is to draft legislation which defends the American farmer in the world market. The United States government should be negotiating a fair price for all commodity crops sold to other nations on behalf of the American farmer. In every market there are price makers and price takers. It is time America sets the price other nations pay for commodity crops. The American farmer’s product and labor should be defended as food security is national security and should be defended as such.
end foreign aid. I think countries who hate us should do so for free. I would cut all funding to other nations who burn the American flag. Nations who want to receive funding from the United States may do so only in the form of a loan secured by collateral.
jason corley
My third priority is to end foreign aid. I think countries who hate us should do so for free. I would cut all funding to other nations who burn the American flag. Nations who want to receive funding from the United States may do so only in the form of a loan secured by collateral. The collateral may be natural resources.
Separate from that, what is one federal issue that uniquely affects Lubbock/Abilene or West Texas and what would you do about it?
A unique issue for our region is the strained electric grid capacity caused by the rapid addition of high-load data centers and other industrial users into West Texas counties. These facilities tend to consume enormous amounts of electricity while contributing relatively little dispatchable generation or infrastructure support. The result is stress on the ERCOT grid, higher costs for ratepayers, and reliability concerns for agriculture, hospitals, drilling operations, and manufacturing.
Congress should ensure federal incentives do not make the problem worse. I would support a federal framework requiring large industrial and data-center users to shoulder the full costs of the new load they create — including building onsite generation where appropriate — and prohibiting backdoor subsidies that socialize grid costs onto households, farmers and small businesses. West Texas is happy to host investment and innovation, but we cannot be treated as a dumping ground for cheap power extraction that leaves our communities footing the bill.
Outside the office you are seeking, how have you participated in the community?
I have spent the last seven years serving on the Lubbock County Commissioners court, fighting for taxpayers and defending private property rights. Before that, I worked in the oil patch and have been active in local agricultural and rural-economic discussions across the region. I have supported local law enforcement charities, veterans’ organizations, community youth sports and church-based service programs. My involvement has never been about titles — it has been about serving the people who make West Texas work.
Is there an issue where you have a different opinion than President Trump?
I strongly support President Trump and will work to advance his America First agenda. Where I would draw a distinction is on the short-term extension of certain pandemic-era spending and emergency programs, many of which should have been wound down sooner. I believe Congress and the White House should have moved faster to restore normal budgeting and remove emergency authorities once the crisis had passed. That said, President Trump’s instincts on the economy, energy, foreign policy and the border have been overwhelmingly correct, and I will proudly support him.
Name a federal policy Arrington has championed you would continue and why?
Congressman Arrington has appropriately focused on fiscal reform and the national debt through the House Budget Committee. I would continue pushing for structural entitlement and spending reform because interest payments are crowding out defense, infrastructure and everything else. Borrowing trillions to service yesterday’s bills is not conservative and not sustainable. Future generations deserve better than a bankrupt country.
I would take a harder line on regulatory overreach affecting energy and agriculture. I believe our district should lead the national conversation on dismantling the administrative state that is suffocating production in the Permian Basin and raising input costs for High Plains agriculture.
Name one policy where you’d change course from Arrington and why?
I would take a harder line on regulatory overreach affecting energy and agriculture. I believe our district should lead the national conversation on dismantling the administrative state that is suffocating production in the Permian Basin and raising input costs for High Plains agriculture. Washington bureaucrats should not be able to cripple drilling rigs, cattle operations and irrigation pivots with rulemaking no one voted for.
What A-F grade would you give Congress over the past two years and why?
I would give Congress a D. The border remains wide open, spending is out of control and the administrative state continues to grow with little oversight. Even with a Republican House, too many in Washington remain comfortable managing decline instead of restoring American strength. The good news is that voters are demanding change and the old GOP coalition is being replaced by an America First agenda that prioritizes sovereignty, security, industry, energy and working families.
How would you balance the federal budget and how long would it take?
Balancing the federal budget will require three pillars: (1) real spending caps, (2) regulatory reform that grows domestic industry and (3) entitlement modernization. If we adopt structural reforms and restore pre-COVID discretionary baselines, we can eliminate the annual deficit within ten years. Faster is possible, but not with political gimmicks. Every year we delay, the adjustment becomes harsher and the interest bill grows. The longer Washington waits, the less choice we will have.
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