GOP battle for Texas’ 26th Congressional District

Next year will be a time of great change — a new president and newly elected officials stretching from the U.S. Capitol to the local courthouse.

One thing that needs to change, two North Texas Republicans say, is the person representing the 26th Congressional District: Michael Burgess.

Burgess, 65, said change is coming. But he isn’t finished with what he wants to do in Congress and would like another term in office.

“We are in a time unlike any other in our nation’s history where we face multiple threats abroad and multiple threats at home,” he said. “Regardless of how you feel about the current administration, the next administration will be different, and it will be important to help guide the process through these potentially tumultuous times.”

Burgess faces two primary challengers in his re-election bid: Joel Krause, president/owner of Webb Electronics, and Micah Beebe, a real estate agent.

“We U.S. citizens are not being properly represented in Congress, hence an 86 percent disapproval rating,” said Krause, 58, of why he is in the race. “I have the personality, experience, qualifications and the passion to be the best representative.”

Beebe, 31, believes he is the right man for the job.

“The decisions that are being made right now have a direct impact on our future,” he said. “I believe it’s time for the next generation to bring fresh, new and innovative ideas that will push our country forward and return it to greatness.”

The three face off in the March 1 Republican primary to determine who will represent the district, which covers all of Denton County, part of Wise County and a patch of northern Tarrant County, including Westlake, north Keller and far north Fort Worth.

At stake is a two-year term that pays $174,000 a year. Early voting runs Feb. 16-26.

The winner will face Democrat Eric Mauck in November.

Michael Burgess

First elected in 2002 — after defeating Scott Armey, son of House Majority Leader and then-U.S. Rep. Dick Armey of Denton County — Burgess said he’s not finished with what he wants to accomplish in Congress.

“I still feel like I’m making a difference, and there is still so much work to be done,” he said.

If re-elected, Burgess said he plans to fight for a “pro-growth, pro-job creation agenda,” which means creating new jobs and getting out-of-work Americans back to work.

Other major concerns include the cost of healthcare and retaining Texans’ ability to see the doctor of their choice, as well as protecting the country’s national security.

“There is value in experience,” Burgess said. “I have served for the past 13 years, and I have a record of keeping the care and concerns of my constituents, friends and neighbors in the front of my mind as any legislation comes through the Congress.

“Also, because there is such an emphasis on healthcare with the president’s nationalization of American medicine, I am able to speak on this subject with authority to conquer some of the more dangerous and destructive effects of the president’s programs,” said Burgess, an obstetrician for nearly 30 years.

Joel Krause

Krause said he worries about the ever-increasing national debt, immigration, healthcare costs, the safety of U.S. citizens, the lack of secured boarders and the U.S. Constitution not being properly defended.

“I will represent the U.S. citizens in the district and not special interests,” said Krause, who has previously challenged Burgess for this post. “I will make decisions based on the Constitution, the national debt and what is best for U.S. citizens. I am not timid, I have the qualifications, the experience in problems solving and the passion for this mission.”

If elected, he said his top priorities would include reducing the influence of lobbyists and donors, reducing the national debt, securing U.S. borders, preventing “the flight” of refugees and creating “more control over social media and the Internet.”

“I have only ran one marathon in my life, and that was the original route from Marathon to Athens,” he said. “Pheidippides, the original runner, delivered the news of Victory and approaching Persian ships and died. Like Pheidippides, I will continue to run, to fight for the common U.S. citizen. Special interest in Washington is our single biggest problem in Washington and is the single biggest problem I have in this election.”

Micah Beebe

Beebe said his experience as a Realtor, negotiator and entrepreneur makes him the best candidate for this job.

“Washington and the Republican Party are in need of a young, energetic congressman that is focused on our future and not just winning another election,” the first-time candidate said. “I understand what makes our economy grow, how to create jobs, why we need to reform the tax code. I also understand how to structure a deal in a negotiations process.”

If elected, he said his top priorities include security for the border, moving Congress to a zero-based budgeting system, reforming the tax code and the corporate tax system, and working to bring back jobs that went overseas.

He said he realizes that many people have lost trust in Congress.

“We need to restore trust, communicate, show the American people what we’re doing and that we can work together to accomplish things for the good of the country,” he said. “Congress has been very well known for years as the black hole where nothing seems to get done. So the biggest challenge will be to cut through all the bureaucratic nonsense, get our majority on the right page and move things forward. This is something I can do.”

This story was originally published January 30, 2016 at 7:31 PM with the headline "GOP battle for Texas’ 26th Congressional District."