Vanessa Hicks Callaway is a retired U.S. Army intelligence officer. She’s an author, realtor and professional speaker. She’s running in the crowded GOP primary for Texas’ redrawn 35th Congressional District.
Hear from the candidate
1. Please tell voters about yourself.
- U.S. Army Lt. Col. Retired Vanessa Hicks-Callaway
- I am 58 years old
- I lived in Bexar County when stationed at Lackland Air Force Base for several years; I now live nearby the 35th in Austin, Texas.
- Education: Associate’s: Christian Psychology and Counseling. Bachelor’s: Political Science Master’s: Human Resource Management
- Professional Experience: Currently, I am a Texas Realtor. I am a US Army, 26-year retired military intelligence officer with two combat tours and a bronze star recipient. I served as a precinct chair, GOP secretary, and as a GOP county and state delegate for several years. I served as a congressional staff constituent liaison, and field representative for the 27th congressional district. I served as the US Senator Ted Cruz reelection campaign field representative for south central Texas against Beto O’Rourke. I am a two-time Governor Greg Abbott board appointee.
2. Briefly describe your top policy priorities.
1. Be President Trump’s number one faith, family and freedom crusader in support of
his America First policies but from a ‘Texas 35th Now’ standard. I will work closely with
the Trump administration to leverage the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ policies to help the TX 35th
district boost economic growth, tackle the CD 35 water shortage issues, deal with the
flooding issues of Guadalupe county, increase job creation in tech fields, oil and gas
industry, and manufacturing to help families afford to buy food, cars, and homes to live the American dream.
2. Be a ‘five-star’ republican by voting for legislative policies that protect religious
freedom- especially Christianity, protection of the US constitution (respect for rule of
law), capitalism (the economic engine of the world), respect for this country (no revisionist history) and conservatism to preserve our ‘faith, family and freedom’ way of
life to promote and sustain good governance.
3. Support legislation that protects CD TX 35 from the wrath of the left’s toxic, leftist
woke policies like men and boys in women and girls’ sports, abortion on demand, DEI
policies that fail to award based on merit and support for removal of illegal aliens from a ‘worst first’ perspective.
3. What should Congress be doing to rein in inflation and/or stabilize/boost the economy?
President Trump’s plans have revitalized and boosted our economy. Under his
leadership our GDP has increased at an annual rate of 4.4 percent in the third quarter of 2025. This is due in large part to President Trumps successful ability to leverage tariffs and his highly acclaimed global art-of-the-deal investments. This will continue to
increase revenue, boost job creation, and promote even more investment deals that will benefit our country.
What he has managed to accomplish has been phenomenal- especially the lowering of gas prices. I will continue to support this from a congressional perspective. Now, the focus needs to be on stabilizing this economy. This can be done through continued limited taxation. This will boost more economic growth which I believe enable congress to eventually rein in inflation, lower the interest rate and ultimately lead to stopping the need for continuing resolutions which means we will have a balanced budget.
4. What should Congress be doing to reform immigration laws?
Nothing. I do not support reforming our immigration laws. I support enforcement of our immigration laws. It has been reported that America taxpayers are spending up to 150 billion dollars per year on the education, healthcare, food, and housing expenses for illegal aliens in this country. That is ridiculous considering our current debt is
approximately $38.53 trillion with a deficit soon to exceed 1 trillion dollars.
Additionally, the influx of more than 10 million illegal aliens during the Biden administration made matters even worse. Now we are spending hundreds of millions to remove unwilling illegal aliens many of whom are murders, rapists, sex and drug traffickers and child molesters. So, no, America already has some of the most generous immigration policies in the world. Our rules already state immigrants must be prepared to have sponsorship that will enable them to be self-sustaining and not have to rely on government assistance.
5. At a time when the White House is asserting more control over national security and spending without Congress’ input, how would you handle disagreements over the division of power?
Well, based on the congressional track record from the previous administration, I must
admit, I understand why the White House is exerting more control over national security and spending without always getting congressional approval first. President Trump has been very successful. He helped end eight wars, reined in the Venezuelan Dictator Victor Nicolas Maduro-responsible for pouring drugs, murders, and sex traffickers into our country, and he successfully launched ‘Operation Midnight Hammer’ to destroy the Iranian Nuclear enrichment program.
Had he stopped for congressional approval, I am not sure he would have achieved what he achieved. Going forward, if I am selected to be the next representative for CD TX 35, I will work hard to get on the coveted ‘oversight committee.’ In so doing, I will be privy to these kinds of actions and will have input prior to, during, and even after these kinds of operations take place.
6. The past year has brought tremendous uncertainty to many Americans surrounding rising health insurance premiums and lack of access to medical care near their homes. What do you believe Congress should be doing to make health care affordable and accessible to residents in your state?
If elected representative for CD TX 35, I will work with the Trump administration’s
healthcare plan. It is designed to reduce prescription drug prices, insurance premiums, and hold insurance companies accountable in ways not been done before, i.e., a
‘DOGE’ effect. If elected, I will also work to improve access to medical care in suburban and rural communities like those in CD TX 35.
I will work with insurance companies to get them to be more transparent in how they decide insurance coverage for healthcare costs. I will work with medical facilities that charge fees for their services. Everywhere costs can be slashed must be done. Americans are struggling with healthcare costs. They must decide between buying prescription medications or food. If elected, I will do better by partnering with stakeholders from the healthcare community and by asserting that healthcare costs are still way too high and must come down.
