Meet the Texas Republicans running for Congress in District 24
The Star-Telegram sent questionnaires to all candidates. Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
Beth Van Duyne
Occupation: Consultant
Age: 48
Website: www.bethfortexas.com
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: Yes. Divorce. Contract Dispute – settled out of court. Have twice been sued in my capacity as Mayor (one of which was by Herb Gears) – both were dismissed. During other lawsuits against the city, I have been named along with the rest of the city council.
Why are you seeking this office?
The people of the 24th District deserve to have a representative who is committed to being a strong voice and fierce advocate for them. While Congress has been focused on attacking the President, critical issues for the American people are being ignored: lowering the cost of healthcare, stopping the drug cartels and human traffickers from exploiting loopholes on our southern border, passing a much needed infrastructure bill, and empowering more growth for our hard-working families. We need a U.S. Representative who is focused on delivering solutions and putting progress for the American people ahead of political theater and nonsense.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?
My priorities will be the priorities that people in the 24th District have been telling me about: 1) focus the federal government on stopping the drug cartels and human traffickers, securing the border with walls where the Border Patrol is asking for them, and getting cartels designated as foreign terrorist operations so we can bring new tools to bear on these murderous organizations; 2) lowering the cost of health care by expanding options and putting people back in charge of their relationships with doctors; and 3) passing an infrastructure bill so we can help rebuild roads, bridges, and flood control.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
I’m honored to have earned the early support of thousands of grassroots voters, numerous elected officials, and job creators throughout the District. They know my record as a tireless public servant who always focused on empowering growth, opportunity, and people over government. When was the Mayor of Irving, we were one of the fastest growing cities for job creation and one of the safest for our families and businesses. I promise to be a voice in Congress that is always focused on getting things done to help us grow and create more opportunities for our families’ future generations.
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?
As Mayor of Irving, we passed a balanced budget every year and maintained a AAA bond rating, while maintaining city services and paying our public safety officials. We had to prioritize projects and control debt we took on to make sure we had the funds necessary to service the debt. This is the mindset and experience I would take to Congress. Congress must show broad restraint on federal spending in order to bring down the federal deficit and eventually reduce debt. Additionally, we need to reduce federal regulations which only increase the size of government and costs to our businesses.
What changes should be made in U.S. trade policy?
United States trade policy should always be focused on gaining fair access to other markets for our products, services, and with the American worker always in mind. When we have trade policies that put our nation at a disadvantage and harm our ability to fairly compete, especially with state sponsored or subsidized businesses, we should either re-negotiate or exit those trade policies altogether. President Trump has done excellent work re-negotiating trade and ensuring growth for our nation and opportunities for our workers are kept at the forefront.
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?
It is critical for Congress to take border control seriously and deal with the damage drug cartels are causing. In addition to closing asylum loopholes, we need to build walls where the border patrol needs them and hire more border agents to deal with surges of illegal immigrants and interdict drug trafficking. We need relationships with ICE and local law enforcement so criminal illegals are being apprehended, and deported. For those in our country who are not committing crimes or have been in the US since they were children, we should create a pathway to legal status (not citizenship).
What steps should the federal government take to combat climate change, if any?
Given the remarkable transformation in technology, especially here in Texas, that has allowed our country to become nearly energy independent and driven the development of more clean power plants, we are enjoying a period where emissions are reducing. Certainly, we can do more by supporting the further development of more sources of low or no emission baseload power. I am particularly interested in next generation nuclear reactors that are smaller, safer, can be sited virtually anywhere and create much less waste. They are emission free and provide the kind of reliable baseload power that wind and solar simply cannot do.
Desi Maes
Occupation: Small Business Owner, military veteran
Age: 53
Website: http://www.desiforcongress.com/
Public offices you’ve held or run for, with years: N/A
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?
After 20 years of serving my country as a Green Beret and Army Ranger, and subsequently serving as an executive, and as a small business owner, I see the need for real leadership in Congress. I, like many voters in North Texas, have grown tired of career politicians seeking public office for personal gain and taking paychecks off the backs of taxpayers without serving their interests. I am running to bring real leadership, real world experience, and real results to the people of TX-24. But most importantly, I want to put service back into public service.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?
In Congress, my top three priorities would be securing the border and protecting our citizens at home, stopping bloated fiscal spending bills like the most recent flawed budget that adds an additional $400 billion in debt, and eliminating bureaucratic regulations and red-tape that hurt job growth and stifle our economy.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
My full life experience, from growing up in a two bedroom shack when my father abandoned us, to working from the age of 14 to put food on the table for my family, to becoming a commissioned officer in the United States military, has been rooted in hard work and conservative values. I’m not another career politician, I’m a proven leader who knows how to make tough decisions to benefit the people of TX-24.
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?
I would work to pass legislation that requires Congress to balance the budget each year. I would also vote against any bloated spending bill like the one recently passed that will add an additional $400 billion in debt, and that includes money for a study on gun violence which would only serve to undermine the 2nd Amendment. I will vote to eliminate the Department of Education and return control of classrooms to states and localities.
What changes should be made in U.S. trade policy?
President Trump has done a fantastic job with the USMCA and Phase One of a trade deal with China. Our trade policies need to prioritize American prosperity and ensure that any trade deal that the U.S. enters into will be beneficial to the American economy. China, as well as other nations, have taken advantage of trade deals for far too long and stolen Intellectual Property to the detriment of American innovation.
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?
First and foremost, a border wall needs to be built and finished. We need to make sure that those who applied for legal citizenship are at the front of the line and we need a system that does not award illegal entry with citizenship, and includes a touch-back provision that requires them to return to their country and apply the correct way. I do not support amnesty or a path to citizenship for those who are currently here illegally.
What steps should the federal government take to combat climate change, if any?
I support market-based solutions to develop clean energy and clean technology, allowing us to reduce our carbon footprint without destroying our economy. While scientists agree humans have an impact on the climate, I reject alarmist rhetoric aimed at scaring people into passing drastic measures like the Green New Deal, which would destroy American industry and benefit the worst offenders, such as China and India.
Jeron Liverman
Occupation: Associated Broker / Realtor
Age: 50
Website: www.JeronLiverman.vote
Public offices you’ve held or run for, with years: none
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain: While in college, I mowed yards for spending money. A man hired me to mow his yard for a summer, while he and his wife were gone. They did not pay me for services rendered. I sued in small claims court and obtained a judgment (about $150). A decade later, I worked under the umbrella of ReMax Metroplex Realty in the early 2000s, as a Realtor. That company closed its doors and filed bankruptcy. The realty company decided its agents owed additional money for its failure to stay open. Myself and others disagreed on the amount. The judge agreed with me and I was satisfied with the outcome (about $1,100).
Why are you seeking this office?
The American Dream is many things to people, depending on their age, health, and other. It is happiness for some, contentment for others, and fairness for everyone. It is about home ownership, or at the least a place to call your own. It is economics and the financial ability to provide for one’s family today and tomorrow. I believe and support our U.S. Constitution as written and perfected through time via the amendment process. I want to protect our Constitution. I want to protect our language, borders, and culture. I want to protect the American Dream and the freedoms our democracy affords its citizens.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?
1) Federal Spending desperately needs to be addressed; 2) Health care, medical care, and prescription drugs costs need to be addressed; 3) and Border Control.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
I bring valuable and realistic insights to the table due to my self employed private sector real estate background, due to my age and experience, due to being the only 24th Congressional District candidate petitioned by registered voters on to the ballot. I’m the only candidate that truly understands the voter’s diverse perspectives. During my 28+ years professional career, I sat at countless family’s kitchen tables. I listened until I understood the concerns. As a candidate, I walked up driveways and knocked on doors. I listened and learned what our community wants from a representative. I learned what people would like to see in legislation.
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?
It has been suggested, various authorsʼ “Penny Plans” or some variation whereby a 1% or other % reduction across the board every year ... would balance our federal spending budget in about 5 years. Iʼm not glued to any specific plan. I believe we need to do something.
What changes should be made in U.S. trade policy?
Our trade policy is currently a delicate situation. It would be prudent to not rush to judgement. We should allow the actions the Trump administration has placed play out.
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?
U.S. immigration laws are complex. I am not an expert in immigration laws. For this reason, I can not fully address the necessary requested specifics at present time. On the border wall or fence, I affirm the 2018 GOP position, “... funds to effectively secure the border through whatever means necessary, including but not limited to barriers, a border wall, or fence everywhere along the border where it is feasible and useful, as well as personnel and technology over land, sea, and air.” After we have control over our border, then we can discuss pathways to legal citizenship for those who are here and wish to assimilate.
What steps should the federal government take to combat climate change, if any?
Nature has its own climate change time cycles. From Earth’s beginning and overlapping mankind’s existence, Earth has gone from very cold periods to very warm periods and other through time. Has mankind contributed a slight bit, due the release of various clean or non-clean variables from our technologies? If yes, has mankind contributed enough to overwhelm Earth’s natural climate change? To me, the collective jury is still out, on the blame. Until we have a collective verdict, I support clean water, clean air, quality food, and common sense legislation.
David Fegan
Occupation: Property Manager
Age: 25
Website: https://www.feganforcongress.com
Public offices you’ve held or run for, with years: N/A
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 am seeking this office because I believe the people of Texas District 24 deserve an honest voice that has actively been involved in the community, and I want to be that voice. For the vast majority of my life, I have volunteered my time and effort to helping develop this area to make it an example of how great Texas can be. Some of the places I’ve volunteered were at a battered women’s shelter, as well as Six Stones, where I spent my time helping new citizens learn English as a second language.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?
Immigration and Border Patrol, protecting the unborn, and protecting our Second Amendment rights.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
As a young conservative, I stand the best chance compared to my opponents in this primary to appeal to young voters who may be conned by the lefts socialist policy proposals. The honest truth is many young adults wrongfully do not listen to their parents or their elders. However, as a fellow young person, they view me as their peer and are therefore more likely to be responsive to my conservative message.
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?
The first thing we need to do is preform an audit on the spending of every department, then propose a balanced budget amendment. Next, we need more efficient spending in government programs across the board. The creation of infrastructure, and the development of things that never get used, need to be terminated. A good example is the Universal Camouflage Pattern, which initially cost the taxpayers $5 Billion. Then in addition to that, the military spent another $4 Billion to replace them. That’s a waste of $9 Billion dollars on camouflage patterns.
What changes should be made in U.S. trade policy?
I agree with Donald Trump’s alterations of Americas trade policy – we as a nation should be getting a fair deal when we trade with other countries. I support his negotiations to strengthen our economic position on Chinese trade, as well as his promotion, development, and signing of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which is a tremendous improvement over the NAFTA deal created by the Obama administration.
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 legal immigration wholeheartedly and believe those who want to follow the process in order to become an American citizen should be welcomed with open arms. I am fervently against any form of a ‘path to citizenship’ for illegal immigrants, as it rewards people who have violated the law, which is unfair to those who spent the money and time to come here the right way. I fully support President Trump’s efforts to secure our borders through the construction of walls, fences, and any other means to keep people from coming into our country illegally. I also support legislation to re-write our current immigration law, which allows chain migration, anchor babies, and asylum loopholes.
What steps should the federal government take to combat climate change, if any?
We need to advocate for the use of safe nuclear power. Economically speaking, solar panels and wind turbines generate a tremendous amount of pollution during their construction, which is not offset by the clean energy they produce during their lifetime. Contrary to popular opinion, the latest models of nuclear reactors are safe, do not use fuel that could be turned into nuclear weapons, and can be made smaller for the same amount of power generated
Sunny Chaparala
Did not respond to repeated requests by email, phone and in person
