Texas candidates for House District 91 in Republican primary March 1
Stephanie Klick
Occupation: Nurse
Age: 65
Campaign website: https://stephanieklick.com/
Best way for voters to reach you: email: Stephanie@StephanieKlick.com
Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing-TCU
Have you run for or held elected office before?
I was previously elected and served as the Tarrant County Republican Party Chairman for 6 years prior to being elected to the Texas House in 2013.
Please list highlights of your civic involvement (for example, service on boards/commissions or leadership positions held):
Texas State Representative, House District 91
Texas Conservative Coalition – Vice President
Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute Board Member
Member of the Children’s Commission of the Texas Supreme Court
Appointed by Governor Abbott to the Early Childhood Education Advisory Panel
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. I have never filed for bankruptcy. I have been named as a defendant in multiple lawsuits in my official capacity by liberal groups that oppose the recent pro-life legislation that was passed last session.
Who are your top three campaign contributors? All of my contributors are publicly available on the Texas Ethics Commission web site.
Why are you seeking this office? I’m honored to have served this district as a legislator who has worked to provide public policy solutions which are anchored in conservative principles. I’d like the opportunity to continue that service to the citizens of HD 91. Texas is a wonderful place to work, live and raise a family, and we must work to keep it that way. We must continue to oppose the harmful policies emanating from Washington, D.C. under the Biden administration.
What are the biggest challenges facing the area you’re seeking to represent? Most recently, a number of my constituents are having trouble securing COVID testing. I am personally assisting a number of residents in this situation, and hopefully this will soon pass. More broadly, many of my constituents are suffering from economic challenges caused by the pandemic, rising inflation, and a growing concern about the loss of freedoms and liberties. Many of these issues are directly related to policies of the Biden/Harris administration, which I will continue to oppose.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?
1) Increased Border Security and stopping illegal immigration
2) Protect the Sanctity of Life
3) Continued property tax reform and reduction
4) Ensuring a strong and prosperous Texas economy
Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
I am a proven conservative legislator with a track record of passing complex legislation, getting results, and providing responsive constituent services to those I represent. I am the only candidate endorsed by Former Governor and Trump Energy Secretary Rick Perry, Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn, Tarrant County District Attorney Sharen Wilson, Texas Right to Life, Susan B. Anthony List, Texans for Life, Pro Life Texans, Texas Values Action, NRA, Texas State Rifle Association, NFIB – National Federation of Independent Business (the voice of small business), Texans for Lawsuit Reform, Texas Association of Realtors
Texas Municipal Police Association, Texas Home School Coalition, Texans for Responsible Government, DFW Conservative Voters PAC, and 90% of our local Republican precinct chairs
What should the Legislature do to reduce local property taxes? I have supported legislation that requires local entities to get voter approval for increases in local taxes. During the last Legislative session we passed legislation that will increase homestead exemption by 60% which the voters will have an opportunity to approve as a Constitutional Amendment Election in May.
Is the Texas power grid prepared for another winter storm? What further measures should the state take to address electricity generation, weatherization and the long-term energy needs of the state? Texans should never again endure the nightmare of a winter storm such as Uri. That’s why I joined in efforts to make strengthening Texas power grid a priority, so we are better prepared to prevent future blackouts and power failures.
Should Texas be building a border wall? Should more or fewer state resources be dedicated to the border? With the Biden/Harris administration turning a blind eye to the crisis at the border (largely created by them), Texas was forced to take action. No state has done more to address border security than Texas. I was proud to vote for the largest border security funding plan in Texas history. Our plan allocated $3 billion to beef up border security, including $250 million for the border wall. Additionally, these funds will pay for a wide range of tools such as more patrol boats, surveillance cameras, aircraft, and more boots on the ground: troopers, Texas Rangers, the State Guard, and the National Guard. I will continue to support resources to secure the border so we can end the humanitarian crisis and combat the drug cartels, human traffickers, and potential terrorists intent on harming our country.
What should the state do to improve access to healthcare and make it more affordable? Last legislative session we passed legislation that would allow the Farm Bureau and Texas Mutual to offer lower cost insurance plans. Additionally we set up a program to leverage the buying power of the state to reduce the cost of insulin for the under insured and uninsured Texans.
We have a shortage of Primary Care Providers in Texas. We could improve access to care and reduce the cost of care by eliminating costly delegation agreements for nurse practitioners as 24 other states have done. This change is a no cost way of improving access to care and reducing the cost of care.
Texas’ urban areas continue to grow rapidly, what can the Legislature do to reduce the time Texans spend in traffic and address infrastructure needs that come with a booming population? A regional approach to transportation is critical in leveraging state, local and federal funds. Projects need to be prioritized in advance so that they are shovel ready when funds become available. This greatly speeds up the process of completing projects.
During previous legislative sessions I supported and the voters approved a constitutional amendment that would allow a portion of rainy day funds be utilized for transportation. Last November, Tarrant County voters approved a bond for transportation funding.
How can state government help ensure Texas has enough affordable housing to accommodate its growth? Inflation caused by deficit spending at the federal level is greatly impacting the affordability of housing in our state. Additionally supply chain disruptions are increasing the cost and time it takes to build new homes.
We must be mindful that regulations regarding lot size and a square footage can greatly impact the affordability of housing. Additionally Restricting the materials utilized to higher cost products can also make property less affordable.
If the Supreme Court opens the door to new abortion restrictions, what should Texas’ policy be? Should abortions be allowed, and under what circumstances? By what level of fetal development, if any, should abortion be permitted? I am unapologetically prolife and was one of 4 Joint Authors of the Texas Heart Beat bill.
What further changes, if any, in Texas election law do you support? We must have every confidence in the integrity of our elections. Every vote must be counted, and safeguards must be in place to prevent fraud. I co-sponsored SB 1, a strong, tough election reform bill that made it easy to vote and hard to cheat. I voted for a bill to stop the influence of outside forces, such as when Mark Zuckerberg was pouring large sums into Texas’ largest counties in an attempt to influence local elections. I also support voter ID to ensure that we can verify who is actually voting.
Should Texas legalize marijuana? Why or why not and to what extent should the state’s marijuana laws be changed, if at all? During my 5 terms in the Legislature, I authored the legislation establishing the Texas Compassionated Use Program. I have worked to allow patients with medical conditions such as epilepsy, PTSD, autism, MS, and degenerative neurological conditions to utilize medical marijuana, or cannabis, if authorized by a doctor’s prescription.
During the most recent session I passed an expansion of the program which increased the number of qualifying conditions and established a research initiative. I have worked with the medical community to craft this legislation. As more research becomes available, I support an evidence based approach to adding additional conditions and increases to allowable amounts of THC. I do not, however, support recreational legalization.
What steps should Texas take to continue to address COVID-19 in Texas, including North Texas? I’ve been involved in serving my community during the pandemic. As a registered nurse, I oppose vaccine mandates and believe consent must be voluntary and without coercion. Initially, President Biden said that he would not impose vaccination mandates, yet he has now betrayed his promise. That’s why have supported the legal challenges to these actions which trample on our constitutional freedoms. These draconian mandates remove our voice in making our medical decisions, set a dangerous precedent, and must be opposed. No Texan should be forced to choose between keeping their job and protecting their medical freedom.
Benjamin Damico
Occupation: Registered Nurse
Age: 52
Campaign website: Ben4texas.com
Best way for voters to reach you: Ben4texas@aol.com
Education: Bachelor’s of Science, Nursing
Have you run for or held elected office before? No
Please list highlights of your civic involvement (for example, service on boards/commissions or leadership positions held): None
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain: None
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain: Bankruptcy 2003
Who are your top three campaign contributors? Self funded so far
Why are you seeking this office? To stop the progressive agenda and rid the Texas House of RINO’s. We need to drain the swamp in Austin.
What are the biggest challenges facing the area you’re seeking to represent? Illegal immigration. It is overwhelming hospitals, schools, and social services. It is going to bankrupt the state and country.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be? Stop illegal immigration. Strengthen laws, supporting the police, and locking criminals away. Getting politics out of our children’s education to include banning CRT and similar subjects.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents? I am a well rounded candidate. I am a veteran not afraid of the fight. I’m a former business man familiar with the troubles facing businesses. I am married to a high school assistant principal and am well aware of the issues affecting our kids. I’m also a registered nurse in the local county hospital, seeing the effects of illegal immigrants on our healthcare system.
What should the Legislature do to reduce local property taxes? Reduce government spending in Texas. Cut programs that support illegal immigrants and do what we can to secure the borders.
Is the Texas power grid prepared for another winter storm? What further measures should the state take to address electricity generation, weatherization and the long-term energy needs of the state? We should focus on fossil fuels during peak times, relying on renewables for added supplemental support.
Should Texas be building a border wall? Should more or fewer state resources be dedicated to the border? We need to do all we can to close the border. If the feds won’t do it, we must.
What should the state do to improve access to healthcare and make it more affordable? We spend millions on the healthcare for illegal immigrants. Fix that problem, and you can cut the burden on the state. Reduce the burden on the state, reduce the burden on the tax payer.
Texas’ urban areas continue to grow rapidly, what can the Legislature do to reduce the time Texans spend in traffic and address infrastructure needs that come with a booming population? More emphasis should be placed on getting through traffic through the major metropolitan areas. Unfortunately toll lanes are being put up that go through the cities, forcing people to pay or stay in the regular free lanes. These toll lanes are really a private highway for those who can afford to pay. They can definitely handle more traffic. More free lanes need to be installed, and the toll lanes should be made free once they are paid off.
How can state government help ensure Texas has enough affordable housing to accommodate its growth? Zoning requirements should be implemented limiting the amount of rent that can be charged per square foot. This would mean cheaper construction, but it would be affordable. We don’t have to build palaces.
If the Supreme Court opens the door to new abortion restrictions, what should Texas’ policy be? Should abortions be allowed, and under what circumstances? By what level of fetal development, if any, should abortion be permitted? I am satisfied with the current heartbeat bill. We need to focus on pregnancy prevention instead of birth control. An abortion is not birth control, it’s birth prevention through the termination of a baby. Abortion should only be legal in incidents of rape or incest or if the pregnancy endangers the life of the mother.
What further changes, if any, in Texas election law do you support? We need to make it a felony again if you are caught cheating. I support all of the other changes made during the last legislation session.
Should Texas legalize marijuana? Why or why not and to what extent should the state’s marijuana laws be changed, if at all? I believe it should be legal. I have never smoked marijuana but I guess it’s like drinking alcohol, which is legal. Many kids go democrat because they are pro marijuana. Jails and cops are overwhelmed with marijuana convictions. Make it legal, solve many problems. Just enforce DUI laws.
What steps should Texas take to continue to address COVID-19 in Texas, including North Texas? Ban vaccine mandates through legislation. Prevent businesses from requiring employees take the vaccine. Ban schools from requiring our children to take the vaccine. Prevent hospitals from requiring staff to take the vaccine.
David M. Silvey
Occupation: General Manager - Entertainment
Age: 22
Campaign website: www.SilveyForTexas.com
Best way for voters to reach you: Website, email, or Twitter (@DavidSilveyTX)
Education:
High school diploma - Birdville High School, Class of 2017
Associate of Arts - Tarrant County College, Class of 2020
Have you run for or held elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought or held, with years) No.
Please list highlights of your civic involvement (for example, service on boards/commissions or leadership positions held) I dedicated nearly a full year of service to the national service program AmeriCorps, which I have discussed extensively. That was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life!
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain. No, I have not.
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain. No, I have not.
Who are your top three campaign contributors? Unlike my other primary opponents, I have vowed from day one that I would never accept a single penny from any Political Action Committee or special interest group. All the funds that I have raised have been exclusively from the citizens that I hope to represent. My contributor information is public record.
Why are you seeking this office? Like many others, I was surprised to find myself mixed up in politics. I am not a politician in any sense of the word - I am just a young man who is tired of seeing the Republican Party fail. Texas values are under attack from both the Left and the establishment Right. I am running for the Texas House because I feel the need to stand up and protect the community that I love. I truly believe that Texas is the greatest place on Earth to open a business, raise a family, or live the American dream. With the radical shift in political objectives across our nation, I believe that there is a responsibility to step forward and defend my home from harmful policies and aggressive federal control. I want to ensure the safety, liberty, and prosperity of our state not only for this generation, but for the children and grandchildren that will inherit it. Many of our state leaders have failed in this regard, and this is why I have been called to protect and defend our great state.
What are the biggest challenges facing the area you’re seeking to represent? We must address the crippling property taxes rates that common Texans face every day. For decades, Texas politicians have promised to bring reform. But here we are, in 2022, and people are still paying rent to the government to own their home. In my first term, I will introduce comprehensive plans that would completely eliminate property taxes within a decade.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?
Ban Child Gender Modification - There are few things more destructive and detrimental to modern society than the cultural concept of gender, especially when it comes to our children. I will aggressively fight back against youth hormone blockers, castration, and other such procedures.
Ban Vaccine Mandates- Texas is a place where citizens should have the individual liberty to make decisions about their health. Nobody should be forced to make a decision between their bodily autonomy and their job. I will always defend individual liberty, especially when it comes to this issue. Taking the vaccine is a personal choice.
Education and Parental Rights - I will hold the public school system accountable for the content that they produce and I will ensure that every parent has the right to know what their child is being taught. I will settle for nothing less than full transparency from our teachers and school boards, and I will ensure that every taxpayer has the right to have their voice heard.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents? I am the only candidate in my race that has publicly refused to accept special interest money. Meanwhile the incumbent, Stephanie Klick, has accepted tens of thousands from PACs and mega-donors. I refuse to be sold to the highest bidder. The people of Texas deserve a representative that works for them, not the corporations that write campaign checks.
I am also the youngest candidate in the race, and was the first to announce my candidacy for the office back in December of 2020.
What should the Legislature do to reduce local property taxes? I have laid out multiple plans that would phase out property taxes, including legalizing sports betting. Using the additional revenue gained by expanding gambling in Texas, property taxes could be completely eliminated in less than 10 years. For more information, visit the “issues” tab of my website.
Is the Texas power grid prepared for another winter storm? What further measures should the state take to address electricity generation, weatherization and the long-term energy needs of the state?
I believe that last year’s winter storm revealed some glaring problems that had gone previously overlooked. However, I believe that many of those issues have been corrected at this point, and that Texas is much more prepared for a storm of that magnitude moving forward.
I am open to exploring alternative energy sources, but not at the expense of the oil and natural gas industry that has been thriving in Texas.
Should Texas be building a border wall? Should more or fewer state resources be dedicated to the border?
Strong border security is necessary to ensure the safety of our citizens. The border crisis is one of the most important issues facing Texans today.
Federal politicians love to avoid the issue of illegal immigration because it does not directly impact them, and no example is more obvious than the current president. The Biden Administration has made one thing perfectly clear - they are not going to secure our southern border.
With that in mind, it’s time to elect strong state leaders who will protect our border, with or without the permission of the federal government. We must delegate much more time and money to finishing the construction of the border wall.
What should the state do to improve access to healthcare and make it more affordable? I believe that the Trump-era method of negotiating with pharmaceutical companies to keep drug prices lower is something that could be done at the state level. Many state politicians, including Representative Klick, refuse to be tough on big pharma - which is why it has not been done yet in Texas.
Texas’ urban areas continue to grow rapidly, what can the Legislature do to reduce the time Texans spend in traffic and address infrastructure needs that come with a booming population?
First of all, it should be noted that infrastructure accountability is something that has been lacking in Texas for many years. It seems that every highway in Texas has some portion that is constantly under construction. As a frequent traveler to Austin and Houston, there is no better example than I-35. All those who have driven through Waco know exactly what I am talking about.
Reasonable construction delays are understandable, but there is absolutely no reason why it should take three, four, sometimes five or more years to complete construction on ONE project.
Our state government needs to stop pouring money into unreasonably long construction projects, and that starts with holding contractors accountable to their quoted deadlines.
How can state government help ensure Texas has enough affordable housing to accommodate its growth? The state government should hardly ever play a role in private housing decisions.
If the Supreme Court opens the door to new abortion restrictions, what should Texas’ policy be? Should abortions be allowed, and under what circumstances? By what level of fetal development, if any, should abortion be permitted? I will always fight to protect human life beginning at conception. Abortion is one of the greatest evils that exists in our society today. Should the Supreme Court reverse their position on Roe v. Wade, God willing, I would support legislation that would completely outlaw abortion without exception.
What further changes, if any, in Texas election law do you support?
Requiring a simple ID card and eliminating mail-in ballots are common sense measures we can start with to ensure that every ballot is legitimate. We can also work to update audio/video monitoring equipment in polling places, and encourage more citizens to become poll watchers.
Those who are in opposition to these measures are simply in favor of voter fraud. There is no legitimate reason to be opposed to measures that make our voting processes more transparent.
I will always support legislation that fights against voter fraud.
Should Texas legalize marijuana? Why or why not and to what extent should the state’s marijuana laws be changed, if at all? It is hard for me to see much of a difference between alcohol and marijuana when used in private. If anything, alcohol consumption is much more dangerous to the public than marijuana is. If properly regulated, similar to alcohol restrictions (age limit, no public use, no operating vehicles and equipment, etc.) I would support legislation to legalize recreational marijuana. The additional tax revenue could be used to lower taxes elsewhere.
However, let me be clear. I am NOT in favor of expunging the criminal records of previous marijuana offenders. I am also NOT advocating for the general legalization of all drugs.
What steps should Texas take to continue to address COVID-19 in Texas, including North Texas? The simple truth is that the pandemic is effectively over. At this point, COVID-19 poses no special risk to the people of Texas. It is a never-ending disease that we will always have, just like the flu or the common cold. Everyone will get it at some point in their life, and the overwhelming majority will be perfectly fine. It’s time to move on.
If elected, I will be fighting aggressively against vaccine and masking mandates.
David Lowe
Occupation: Retired Military
Age: 38
Campaign website: DavidLoweforTexas.com
Best way for voters to reach you: Visit DavidLoweforTexas.com or Text at 469-248-5129
Education: BA in Criminal Justice
Have you run for or held elected office before? No
Please list highlights of your civic involvement (for example, service on boards/commissions or leadership positions held): 2017 Dallas County Republican Party volunteer of the year, Wounded Warrior Alumni, Church Mission Trip to Acuna,
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
Who are your top three campaign contributors? The Richardson family, Darlene Pendry, Jeff Cason campaign
Why are you seeking this office? I am seeking office because the concerns of my family and those of real conservatives are not being addressed in Austin.
What are the biggest challenges facing the area you’re seeking to represent? Property Tax relief
What would your top 3 policy priorities be? Banning child gender modification, immediately property tax relief and banning vaccine mandates.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents? I have devoted my entire life to serving others in a variety of capacities. I am not a libertarian or a liberal. I am the only true conservative in this race. I am the only candidate who has worked their butt off trying to earn votes, including 5,000+ doors knocked.
What should the Legislature do to reduce local property taxes? In the short term, freeze annual property tax appraisals and force the government to do more with less. Also, we need forensic audits of the largest school districts in Texas in order to find out the true cost of education. You can’t budget if you don’t know what you’re buying.
Is the Texas power grid prepared for another winter storm? What further measures should the state take to address electricity generation, weatherization and the long-term energy needs of the state? I will be the first to admit that I have major concerns about the Texas power grid but don’t know how to fix it. Once elected, I will begin talking with experts and exploring long term solutions. We don’t need a band-aid, we need a long term solution that will keep up with demand.
Should Texas be building a border wall? Should more or fewer state resources be dedicated to the border? We absolutely need a border wall and we need to cut wasteful spending to help pay for it. It won’t be built overnight but we need to stop talking and start acting immediately.
What should the state do to improve access to healthcare and make it more affordable? Healthcare access is not a problem for most Texans. The first step in reducing the cost in healthcare is to stop treating undocumented persons unless there is an immediately threat to life, limb or eye sight.
Texas’ urban areas continue to grow rapidly, what can the Legislature do to reduce the time Texans spend in traffic and address infrastructure needs that come with a booming population? The first step to reducing time Texans spend in traffic is opening up the toll ways. We shouldn’t have toll ways in Texas.
How can state government help ensure Texas has enough affordable housing to accommodate its growth? This is not a problem for the government to solve. People are not guaranteed a right to “affordable housing.”
If the Supreme Court opens the door to new abortion restrictions, what should Texas’ policy be? Should abortions be allowed, and under what circumstances? By what level of fetal development, if any, should abortion be permitted? Roe v. Wade was an unconstitutional ruling and there should be no compromise on abortion. All abortions should be outlawed immediately.
What further changes, if any, in Texas election law do you support? I want to see voter registrations expire. I also want to stop the VDR program and only allow people to register to vote by visiting a local government office. At that office, people should be required to bring ID and proof of residence. Let’s stop playing games and start protecting elections.
Should Texas legalize marijuana? Why or why not and to what extent should the state’s marijuana laws be changed, if at all? NO. According to the DEA, Marijuana is mind-altering (psychoactive) drug.
What steps should Texas take to continue to address COVID-19 in Texas, including North Texas? Stop with all this COVID-19 nonsense. Open up Texas, unmask everyone and let’s get back to living with hope, not fear.
Anthony Reed
Did not respond.
