Meet the Texas Republicans running for Congress in District 12
The Star-Telegram sent questionnaires to all candidates. Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
Kay Granger
Occupation: United States Congresswoman, TX-12
Age: 77
Website: www.kaygranger.com
Public offices you’ve held or run for, with years: Chair, Fort Worth Zoning Commission, Fort Worth City Council (1989), first female Mayor of Fort Worth (1991), U.S. House of Representatives (1996-Present).
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain: NO
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain: NO
Why are you seeking this office?
With so much at stake, now is not the time to send an inexperienced representative to Washington. I have the experience and conservative track record we need to fight against liberal democrats in Washington. I have stood with President Trump to secure the border, rebuild and fund our military, and protect life and the 2nd Amendment. I am proud to be endorsed by President Trump and leading pro-life organizations like National Right to Life.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?
1) Build the wall, secure the border and cut off the flow of drugs and human trafficking. 2) Rebuild our military and provide the resources our men and women in uniform need. 3) Continue to grow our local economy by keeping taxes low and cutting regulations on small business and our local industries. 4) Defend life and the 2nd Amendment.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
I am from this district, I live in the district, and I come home every weekend. My opponent is not from here and doesn’t even own a home in this district. He is using dark money from the East Coast to try and buy this seat. Our seat is not for sale. I have a proven track record of delivering conservative results for this community, and I will continue to fight for our world class businesses like Lockheed and Bell, which provide thousands of high-skilled jobs and millions of dollars to the local economy.
The federal government is accumulating record debt, with massive deficits even in a strong economy. What specific steps would you endorse to reduce the deficit?
First, we need to have a stable and predictable budget process. There are a number of budget proposals I have supported over the years that would do just that. If we are certain how much there is to spend two years out, then we can prioritize and make reductions along the way. Second, we need to continue to make spending cuts, which I have done on the Appropriations committee. Third, and most urgently, there needs to be a broad reexamination of our entitlement systems. … We need to make entitlements more efficient and ensure we are improving services for entitlement recipients.
What changes should be made in U.S. trade policy?
I support the President’s trade policy as it relates to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and China. USMCA is a huge win for our farmers and ranchers, and the recently signed China agreement will create a more level playing field while benefiting our local economy. The President has taken a bold approach to improving our trade deals, and I will continue to support him. We must always negotiate from a position of strength, and that’s exactly what the President has done.
What changes to immigration law do you support? Would you vote to build any additional border wall or fence? Do you support a path to citizenship for those currently here illegally?
I support the wall and I was proud to work with President Trump to increase funding for the wall. I will continue to work with President Trump to secure the border and cut off the flow of drugs and human trafficking. Nobody in Congress has done more to ensure we have funding for the wall, and that’s why the President has endorsed me for re-election.
What steps should the federal government take to combat climate change, if any?
I am staunchly opposed to the Green New Deal and other socialist proposals that will cost billions, kill jobs and endanger our vital oil and natural gas industry. Government is rarely the solution to any of our problems. We need to continue to cut regulations and taxes on industry, and allow them to use their own technologies to be good stewards of the environment.
Chris Putnam
Occupation: Retired Technology Industry Executive
Age: 50
Website: www.putnamfortexas.com
Public offices you’ve held or run for, with years: City Council, Mayor Pro Tem (Colleyville 2015-2018)
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain: No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain: No
Why are you seeking this office?
Tarrant, Parker, and Wise County republican voters are hungry for an authentic, unapologetic, conservative fighter to represent them in Washington DC. The Texas 12th is deeply politically and socially conservative and deserves representation that reflects its values.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?
Securing the border/immigration reform, protecting the right to life, and shrinking big government.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
Ms. Granger has failed us on border security and immigration. The crisis we have today is a direct result of the inaction by Congress including the Republican majority that could have addressed the problem when they had control of both Houses of Congress and the Presidency just 3 years ago. As a senior member of the House, Ms. Granger could have led on this issue but did nothing. In fact, she has voted to fund DACA and Obama’s amnesty program.
Ms. Granger said on national television that she is a “pro-choice Republican” and continues to fund Planned Parenthood. She now claims to be pro-life.
What changes should be made in U.S. trade policy?
I believe in Free Trade, economic freedom, and limited government. A free market is always best but when one trading partner is not playing fair, such as in the case of China, the government has the right to intervene.
What changes to immigration law do you support?
We first have to eliminate the incentives that cause people to immigrate here illegally like free education and healthcare — things that are already too expensive for our own citizens. We also need to strengthen our asylum laws which are being abused.
I support a federal ban on Sanctuary Cities and withholding all federal funding for Sanctuary states or cities. Also, I support protections for law enforcement officers who enforce federal immigration law in Sanctuary cities/states.
I’m a strong supporter of expanding the ICE 287G program practiced by our own Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn, who has publicly endorsed our campaign.
Would you vote to build any additional border wall or fence?
Yes, we have to secure the border period and should use all appropriate methods including barriers, high-tech surveillance, and others. Not simply to control illegal immigration, but also to get better control of drug and sex trafficking which has exploded during this crisis.
Do you support a path to citizenship for those currently here illegally?
The first priority needs to be securing the border and eliminating incentives that encourage illegal immigration. Then we can have a national discussion about how to deal with the millions already here. I do not support any form of blanket amnesty and believe DACA is unconstitutional. I am open to a discussion about earned paths to citizenship.
What steps should the federal government take to combat climate change, if any?
Very few, beyond sensible regulations on pollutants. We should make significant cuts to the billions we currently spend annually on climate change.
This story was originally published February 11, 2020 at 5:25 PM with the headline "Meet the Texas Republicans running for Congress in District 12."
