Meet the Republican candidates running for Congress in Texas District 25
The Star-Telegram sent questionnaires to all candidates. Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
Keith Neuendorff
Occupation: Software Engineer
Age: 53
Website: neuendorff2020.com
Public offices you’ve held or run for, with years: West Lake Hills Zoning and Planning Commission (appointed), 2009-2011
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?
I have been disappointed with our current congressman’s performance in office over the last several years because of his lack of real engagement with constituents and his desire to abandon reasonable programs in education, energy, and other areas. I want to provide the people of our district with a real alternative in the primary of a conservative that is accountable to all constituents and stands up for smart approaches for investing in education, energy, and infrastructure that builds our country.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?
▪ Expansion of access to educational opportunity
▪ Energy independence
▪ Making real progress toward a balanced budget
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
I pledge to have real interacts and communication with all constituents which will include having a public schedule of regular town hall meetings throughout the district. I will have a dedication to supporting access to quality education as part of a program of intelligent investment in our country. I will also bring a deep understanding of technology and how it touches nearly every aspect of our lives. That understanding is now a necessity to be able to make intelligent policy decisions on how technology can best be applied to enhance lives and protect privacy.
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?
Because of the large portion of the Federal budget that goes to healthcare, any realistic deficit reduction will have to deal with those programs. I would advocate for adding options to the existing programs for Medicare and Medicaid to allow people to opt in to a pay for outcome insurance system (as opposed to the current pay for service approach). The government and the insured could both reap benefits of reduced costs and the insured would have a new choice for getting their healthcare needs met.
What changes should be made in U.S. trade policy?
The biggest adjustments that needs to be made in trade policy is to curb intellectual property theft by other countries, including eliminating forced technology transfers. Enforcement of these changes will require working with a broad range of like minded countries to establish better standards and prevent offending countries from profiting from violations.
We also need to work to establish or enhance long term open access agreements with foreign trading partners for United States agricultural goods.
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 investing in border enforcement centered around ports of entry which have been identified by US Customs and Border Protection as the entry point of the great majority of illegal drugs and people. In between, it is much more cost efficient to invest in monitoring technology and an enhanced border agent network instead of additional barriers. Long term residents here illegally could be given an opportunity for citizenship through a program that requires them to obtain local community sponsorships, but should not be allowed to move ahead of applicants that have followed the established legal path.
What steps should the federal government take to combat climate change, if any?
The federal government should work to mitigate the effects of climate change through energy policies that will encourage the move to wind and solar. More specifically, there should be continued federal support for wind power production in West Texas (and other states) and new investment in research and development of localized solar projects. Subsidies for coal power production should be put on a long term reduction plan. We need to maintain a diverse energy portfolio that keys new growth in capacity on clean sources.
Roger Williams
Occupation: Small Businessman / United States Representative
Age: 70
Website: rogerforcongress.com
Public offices you’ve held or run for, with years: U.S. Congress 2012-2020
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: Having been a small business owner for over 45 years our business has been the target of frivolous civil claims and greedy trial lawyers.
Why are you seeking this office?
I want to continue strengthening our economy with lower taxes and less regulation.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?
Defend the border, lower taxes, defend the Second Amendment.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
I am a Christian, conservative, pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, grassroots tax payer and my platform is lower taxes, less government, cut wasteful spending, defend our borders, listen to our generals, understand the 10th amendment and always stand with Israel.
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?
Cut wasteful spending.
What changes should be made in U.S. trade policy?
We should always be America First.
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?
We are a nation of laws that need to be enforced. I have voted for and support a wall or fence and anything else needed to protect our sovereignty. I believe that if you are in our country illegally, you have broken the law.
What steps should the federal government take to combat climate change, if any?
Any climate change policy must not unfairly penalize American job creators and ignore major polluters like India and China.
This story was originally published February 12, 2020 at 1:34 PM with the headline "Meet the Republican candidates running for Congress in Texas District 25."
