Here’s who’s running in the Republican primary for U.S. Senator in Texas on March 5
Ted Cruz
Did not respond to questions
R E ‘Rufus’ Lopez
Age (as of March, 5 2024): 82
Campaign website: none
Best way for voters to reach you: email, phone 210 228 9834
Occupation: Attorney
Education: Baylo9r University
Have you run for elected office before?
yes, Texas Land Commissioner, 2018
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism.
I have been practicing law for 59 years, and am a member of the Texas Bar Association, American Bar Association, Texas Bar College, Federal Bar Association, licensed to practice before the Texas courts, U S Supreme Court, 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, Western and Southern Federal District Courts.
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?
me
Why are you seeking this office?
I believe we need to bring civility to the conduct of the office of U S Senator, invoke the proper ethics with witnesses in committee meetings, attend all sessions of the Senate, and earn the salary that is paid. Lack of respect for the office, failure to pass significant legislation, and lack of attendance for 12 years is unacceptable.
What are the biggest challenges facing Texas?
Th U S Senator is a federal office, responsible for the whole country, and Texas has its own unique challenges in the border, petroleum, windfarms, and distribution and transportation of the gas and oil must be protected. We must insure the passage of a Farm Bill that can be relied on for the next 5 years by the farmers and ranchers, to protect this industry and the need for reliable farm insurance. We have the challenge of the border and the need for a comprehensive immigration bill that can only be done by looking at the history of the problem and apply and full and concise system. We need workers in this country and we need to reintroduce the seasonal workers and expand the malquiladora programs in south and central america.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?
I will protect Social Security , insure a comprehensive Farm Bill, and promote our petroleum industry.
How will you measure your success as a U.S. Senator?
100% attendance on the job, encourage meaningful, civilized discussion with all senators and representatives, quit complaining and “earn my keep”.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
I will bring 59 years of experience in the practice of law, sensible debate and discussion. I will not demean opponents or witnesses who appear at committee hearings, and I will respect for the office of Senator.
What should Congress do to address immigration and border security at the Texas-Mexico border?
“Band aid” is not the solution. We need to go to the root of the problem which is the country of origin to solicit their help and encourage the economy of that country by investment through our own companies such as malquiladoras. 37 years of kicking the can down the road is unacceptable. We can learn from the past and from the various bills promoted by prior legislation and the current bill pending as introduced by the senior Senator from Texas and previously promoted by President Bush.
Blaming Mexico and criticizing Mexico is not the answer; Assisting Mexico in dealing with the migrants when they enter Mexico is better than dealing with the problem after they have traveled through Mexico. We need to help Mexico stop the Asians and non-American migrants when they enter the continent.
What should Congress do to respond to and prepare for population growth in North Texas?
We certainly need to encourage population growth in all of Texas, not only in north Texas. We have a lower rate of population growth in some ethnic cultures so we need to encourage growth in order to provide consumers for the future. Our military has seen a 15% reduction of recruits. Transportation and infrastructure reliability is of utmost importance.
What should be the top federal funding priorities for Congress and why?
Upgrade our defense and armed forces. We are falling behind China in our naval upgrades. We need to increase the pay for our armed forces and encourage longer tenures.
Should the U.S. send additional foreign aid to Israel and Ukraine?
Yes to both. Ukraine is striving to be a true democratic country in eastern Europe with hopes of mirroring us. Finally, we are giving aid to a country that is one of “rule of law” with a democratic structure in place and not an autocratic regime like we defended in Vietnam, Syria, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, The Declaration of Independence is modeled after ours. We spent billions of dollars in all those countries without much success and lost American lives. Ukraine is fighting our fight.
Israel is a democracy in Middle East. We cannot lose it or allow its enemies to prevail against it. If Israel falls, democracy will also fall.
What’s a Texas policy issue that’s important to you, but not necessarily as high profile? Why do you think it’s important?
Nothing is more important in Texas than the reliance on our petroleum industry. It is our life-line that dominates our economy and protects our jobs. We should look at increasing the windfarm offshore and on land. It is our future.
Holland ‘Redd’ Gibson
Age: 77
Campaign website: none
Best way for voters to reach you: igi9812456@comcast.net
Occupation: Retired Letter-Carrier
Education: Two Years College
Have you run for elected office before?
No
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism.
None due to Hatch Act
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain:
Yes, Being Black
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain:
no
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
me,me and me
Why are you seeking this office?
I am seeking this office to get rid of Ted Cruz
What are the biggest challenges facing Texas?
The Border
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?
The Border ,Women rights & legal marijjuna
How will you measure your success as a U.S. Senator?
Great
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
I will work for”WE THE PEOPLE”
What should Congress do to address immigration and border security at the Texas-Mexico border?
Hire more people
What should Congress do to respond to and prepare for population growth in North Texas?
Nothing
What should be the top federal funding priorities for Congress and why?
Stop spending so much money on the military, the money could be spend on getting rid of cancer
Should the U.S. send additional foreign aid to Israel and Ukraine?
NO!!
What’s a Texas policy issue that’s important to you, but not necessarily as high profile? Why do you think it’s important?
The Border, somebody is going to have to do the WORK!!
