Here are the Democratic primary runoff candidates for Congressional District 24
Two Democrats are competing in the primary runoff for Congressional District 24 in Texas after none of the original three candidates received more than 50% of the votes in the March 3 primary. The winner of the May 26 runoff will advance to November’s race and face off with Republican Beth Van Duyne.
Here are the Democrats’ responses to the Star-Telegram’s candidate questionnaire, in the order they’ll appear on your ballot.
TJ Ware
Age (as of March 3): 41
Campaign website: ElectTJ.com
Best way for voters to reach you: Email (tj@electtj.com)
Occupation: Entrepreneur
Education: Some college
Have you run for elected office before? No
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism in Dallas County and Tarrant County.
I have served as a board member and volunteer for various organizations, including BESTWA, focusing on maternal health and other issues in West Africa. I have also served as a board member, board advisor, volunteer, an advocate for the North Texas special needs assistance partners equipping adult adults with developmental disabilities with job and life skills to be successful. I’m also an incident commander for United Survivors Disaster Relief offering multiple services and means of support for victims of large scale disasters. The past few years, I have spent even more of my time focusing on fighting corrupt insurance companies, and fighting for FEMA and other disaster services in Washington DC and in various states across the nation.
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: I’ve never filed bankruptcy. As a business owner, I have been involved in three civil suits. I have never been found legally liable of any wrongdoing or had to pay any settlement or judgment.
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
Hemal Doshi, Luis Diaz, Alejandro Ayala
Why are you seeking this office?
I am passionate about freedom, prosperity and liberty. I see Congress as an extension of the policy work and the advocacy I’ve been doing for years, except with far greater reach and impact. I love this country, and I only decided to run for Congress after I seriously considered leaving it. I am a former DOJ staffer, and Iraq veteran, I can’t stand by idly while watching so much corruption and malignancy take over our country.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?
Stop ICE.
Root out corruption at the highest levels.
Repeal Tariffs, focus on affordability
How will you measure your success as a member of Congress?
I will measure it by the response and support of my constituents.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
I’m a dynamic person, I’m quick on my feet, I’m experienced in leading organizations and working with people on Capitol Hill, I am an innovator, and a maverick. I’m not OK with the status quo from either side. I’m ready to kick ass and take names in a way that my opponents are unable to.
What is the biggest challenge facing Congress? How would you address it if elected?
Campaign finance. And Donald Trump/MAGA. I believe campaign finance is a hill we should die climbing. Nothing else works until we address it.
What is the number one challenge your constituents are facing, and how do you plan to resolve it?
Affordability. I plan to support policies to help the middle class, not large asset holders.
How would you interact and work with members of the opposite party? Are there specific policy ideas where you see opportunities for bipartisanship?
The American people want some more things, there are tons of issues in which I can work with the other party and find both alignment in progress.
How would you approach foreign policy as a member of Congress?
I believe in a good relationship with our NATO allies. I believe in relying on generals and admirals, not news anchors. I believe we should seek partnership collaboration and collectivity with our allies, and I believe we should remain strong against our adversaries. I tend to be more non-interventionist, and I believe in congressional authorization for military action.
What steps, if any, should Congress take regarding artificial intelligence, including regulation and/or safeguards?
There need to be smart regulations put in place, we must be very weary of big tech. I have some experience in this arena, having dealt with the national Association of attorneys general and I personally know multiple national AI experts.
What should be prioritized in federal spending and what, if anything, do you believe should receive less budget allocations?
I believe we should prioritize federal mental health spending. I also believe we should spend money in ways that encourage production amongst all Americans, especially the middle class and small business. I believe we should look at smart cuts to defense, and I’m against tax breaks for billionaires.
What should Congress do to address healthcare?
Congress needs to expand coverage, and move toward a system that makes sense for average Americans. We demand affordable comprehensive healthcare, and a system that puts patients first. I’m willing to take part in overhauls that would reshape how Americans get their healthcare, and move toward a system where all Americans have health coverage, preventative care, low RX drug costs, and world class mental healthcare.
How do you plan to ensure affordability for Texans in the day-to-day as well as in the housing market?
I plan to ban corporations from buying up single-family homes and repeal tariffs to encourage affordability.
What should Congress do, if anything, to address security along the U.S.-Mexico border and immigration policy?
We should create a period of time for all undocumented people to get documented and receive work permits. Once people are documented, we can strengthen our borders by truly keeping out criminals.
Kevin Burge
Age (as of March 3): 40
Campaign website: www.kevinfortexas.com
Best way for voters to reach you: email (campaign@burgeforcongress.com) or socials
Occupation: Cybersecurity
Education: MA - Sustainable Development
Have you run for elected office before? No
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism in Dallas County and Tarrant County.
I have used my platform to bolster LGBTQ+ organizations like Love Every Dragon.
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? No
Who are your top three campaign contributors? No PACS or coroprations, only individual donations, completely grassroots with an average donation of amount of $67
Why are you seeking this office?
Our community deserves a Member of Congress who serves all people, of all parties, of all walks of life, of all faiths or of none. Right now, the incumbent Beth Van Duyne can’t; no Town Halls since being elected, citations from the House Ethics Committee, and has worked to undermine the critical role of the Legislative Branch.
I have directly participated in good governance with 20 years of Federal Government service, and I know how different Administrations can either lift communities up or leave them behind. Today, the Trump administration and a do-nothing Republican Congress are damaging our government, our economy, and our standing in the world.
I am running for Congress because too many people in Washington serve the special interests and wishes of a privileged few, not the needs of the many who live, work, and worship in our community. It is time for people here to have their voices heard, and I will speak up for every resident regardless of party or persuasion.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?
1. Make life affordable for families and success achievable for small businesses.
A future working families can afford is most important, and my plan includes funding initiatives for early child care, elderly care, affordable housing, apprenticeships, Universal Healthcare, public transportation, diversification of energy sources, and revamping student loan programs.
2. Hold accountable an out of control Executive Branch and assert the power of Congress.
We must crack down on ICE Abuse and administrative waste.
3. Ensure public schools are fully funded. Strong public schools are the foundation on which all strong communities are built.
Where the Texas Legislature cannot or will not act, the Federal Government must act to ensure every student receives a quality education at a safe neighborhood school.
How will you measure your success as a member of Congress?
As a freshman member of the House, success will be measured by: Forming consensus and developing legislation that has a reasonable chance of becoming law; This requires working with my colleagues of all parties to secure reasonable compromise that benefits all of our constituents.
Ultimately, my success will be measured by outcomes that improve the lives of the people whom I serve of all political persuasions, not just those who voted for me in the last election.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
Experience, leadership, and moral fortitude. I am a direct reflection of my district in every demographic measure with a unique background in Military, Intelligence, firsthand knowledge of the value and importance of immigration among family members, and being a member of the working class.
I have served the American people for 20 years, enlisting in the Marine Corps at 17, with two tours in Iraq, and serving at the Defense Intelligence Agency and deploying to Afghanistan. I was the Technical Advisor to the White House Situation Room renovation under President Biden. I’ve worked alongside dedicated public servants, including those appointed by the President. My years of service qualify me to contribute meaningfully to our National Security and Intelligence Policy
I am not afraid to stand up and fight for the things I believe in. I will listen to those who disagree with me. I will be a voice for the many, not the few. I will serve all constituents equally.
What is the biggest challenge facing Congress? How would you address it if elected?
A large disconnect with the concerns of everyday Americans. Most Congresspeople are wealthy and have never served in the military or have children in the military.
I will listen to my constituents and seek genuine feedback when making decisions. I will hold town halls each and every month open to all in both Dallas and Tarrant Counties. I will push through legislative mechanisms and amendments in bills ways to create real change focused on urgency in delivering results people will feel in their pockets and see in their bank accounts.
I will fight for us all, rather than being a representative of the few.
What is the number one challenge your constituents are facing, and how do you plan to resolve it?
Everything is more expensive. It is harder to make ends meet. It is more difficult to grow a business or start a business. Rising inflation, healthcare costs, and erosion of social programs, and decreasing opportunities are pricing people out of a better future.
Young people can’t afford to start families, buy homes, or afford to save for unexpected events.
I plan to rebuild and strengthen the middle class and help people succeed in life. People are not looking for handouts. They are looking simply for a hand up to help them get ahead and have a fair chance at achieving the American Dream.
I will start with Universal Pre-K, fully funded public education, cutting red tape for affordable housing, funding universal healthcare and restoring the ACA Subsidies, offering a variety of educational opportunities, protecting worker’s rights, and providing resources for small business owners. This will allow more people to thrive in our economy and put money back in their pockets.
How would you interact and work with members of the opposite party? Are there specific policy ideas where you see opportunities for bipartisanship?
Members of both parties recognize that high expenses for Americans are critical. We are all elected to serve our constituents and rely on compromise and negotiation. I will approach every interaction as an opportunity to build consensus. Cost of living issues such as healthcare, energy costs, and economic development are the clearest areas of policy for bipartisan opportunity.
How would you approach foreign policy as a member of Congress?
Our country has enjoyed 80+ years of Pax Americana because of our strong military, strong alliances, strong use of soft power, and strong economy. However, we have forgotten how powerful we are, even when we do not use our military. It’s time that we reestablish our traditional alliances, turn back on our Global Aid system that brings peace, stability, and prosperity.
Right now, we are trading worldwide influence for Hemisphere Influence allowing autocratic, dictator run, and communist countries to fill in the gaps resulting in spheres of influences threatening global stability. Therefore, we need to get rid of an outdated Monroe Doctrine and strengthen our alliances. We cannot continue to allow global competitors like Russia and China take advantage of weakness or disarray.
What steps, if any, should Congress take regarding artificial intelligence, including regulation and/or safeguards?
Two things need to be done quickly. 1.) Regulatory actions around the use of AI by companies to ensure people do not lose work opportunities to machines. In other words, we need to create a framework like NIST or HIPPA that protects workers rights and ensures non-discrimination in the workplace by AI. Congress must also provide funding for retraining programs paid for by increased taxing of companies who offset labor and lay off employees due to the use of AI.
2.) AI data centers require tons of power and water. Federal Permits should be required prior to building these high resource data centers and allow for proper public input prior to municipal approval for construction. This is a Federal Issue due to the amount of resources being utilized, including rivers and aquifers that span multiple states.
What should be prioritized in federal spending and what, if anything, do you believe should receive less budget allocations?
Federal spending needs to be designed and executed to address the national affordability crisis. To do that, we need to raise taxes for those earning more than $400,000 per year, and institute a graduated capital gains tax for the wealthiest. We need to reign in the ICE budget (which is currently higher than the entire United States Marine Corps) and invest in programs that grow our economy from the bottom up such as easier loan and grant opportunities for small businesses and more child care help for working families.
What should Congress do to address healthcare?
We need to decouple healthcare from employment and ensure that the primary method for obtaining healthcare is not through companies that gain profit by denying services. We must make meaningful progress towards universal coverage, whether through a hybrid or single payer system in line with all other developed countries that will allow stability in creating federal budgets and allow people to realize the American Dream through entrepreneurship and labor competition. We must NOT ban or restrict the ability for people to have a choice to buy or keep private insurance.
The best way to begin this journey is to bring people into this system by expanding Medicare to civil servants, military, police, and teachers. Then we can start lowering the age of Medicare by a decade every 5 years until a sustainable system is in place and people will by default have medical costs covered. Again, people should always and MUST always be able to purchase private insurance if and when they desire.
How do you plan to ensure affordability for Texans in the day-to-day as well as in the housing market?
I will fight to expand access to affordable child care and elder care so families aren’t forced to choose between caring for loved ones and staying in the workforce. Taking those burdens off working Texans frees people to fully participate in our economy and earn a living with dignity. I also support raising the minimum wage in a fair manner that does not cause a shock to small business owners and is phased in appropriately.
On housing, we must cut unnecessary federal red tape that slows home construction while still protecting quality and safety. We need more homes, of more types, at more price points. Finally, I will work to end Trump’s tariffs on building materials, which only drive up construction costs and housing prices. Lower costs, higher wages, and people-first policies will make Texas affordable and build a stronger economy.
What should Congress do, if anything, to address security along the U.S.-Mexico border and immigration policy?
We must stop the abuses by ICE agents across our country. It does not serve the communities they say they are trying to protect. It drives undocumented immigrants further underground and allows for a criminal underbelly to thrive while simultaneously causing people to fear reporting of crimes to local police.
Fully funding immigration judges and Border Patrol to ensure asylum cases are quickly and fairly adjudicated while stopping real crime such as drug and human trafficking.
We must revamp the work-visa programs to allow for seasonal surges for workers to support agriculture and tourism that fairly allows for people to pay taxes, work without fear of workplace abuses, and the ability to travel back home at the end of the season.
Fine companies for hiring undocumented workers outside of the streamlined immigration system.