To inform readers about the candidates seeking their votes on the November ballot, the San Antonio Report asked all candidates to answer the following questions. We edited answers for clarity, not substance or grammar, and we did not fact-check responses. We restricted responses to 200 words for each question.
Read other candidates’ answers here.
Party:
Republican
Incumbent?
No
Link to campaign website:
https://pomeroyfortexassenate.com/
Age:
54
Education background/degrees earned:
Texas State University, bachelor’s in biological anthropology
Current occupation, employer, or job title:
Pastor, First Baptist Church Sutherland Springs
Previous elected offices held and/or sought:
None
Why do you feel you are the best candidate for the office you are seeking?
I believe that I am a relationship builder and think highly of intelligently thought through conversations about the plights we face as a state and nation. As a nation, the people of America are rapidly losing their freedoms. This plight is now working its way into the state of Texas, which I believe to be the last bastion of freedom in the U.S. We need to bring civility and ethics back to the table to figure out what it is that we need to do to proceed forward and return those freedoms to the citizens. As I have watched this diluting of the people’s rights and watched how constituents have become just pawns in people’s reelection processes I realized that someone had to step up and empower the voice of the people again and take back the government from career politicians. I am not a career politician; however, I do care about the people of this great state and feel as though I can make a difference.
What three issues do you feel are most important to voters in your district?
1. We need to work to get potable drinking water to the colonias and other neighborhoods affected in my southernmost counties. There is no reason in 21st century America that children and their families still do not have potable water. 2. We need to work on property tax reform to protect the elderly from having to worry about losing their homes that they have paid for. I understand that the revenue is needed especially in smaller, less affluent counties, however there are other ways of putting together revenue. 3. We need to investigate the best plans and solutions to help educate our children into being able to critically think and be educated to do more than just regurgitating answers to an all-encompassing test. We need to also support our law enforcement agencies so that parents are comfortable knowing that their children are safe when we send them off to school as well.
If elected, what would be your top priorities after taking office?
1. This capturing of the American people’s freedom by enacting draconian mandates has got to stop. The emergency management clause must be rewritten to put checks and balances, so that one man cannot tyrannically destroy the strongest economy in the Union. There must be a provision for oversight or special session to be called to not allow this theft of freedom to happen again in Texas. 2. I think economically we need to be aggressive at reopening Texas and helping small businesses get back on their feet, before we lose even more of the foundation that Texas was built on. We also need to counter the attack upon our oil and gas industries. This makes up most of the economy and jobs in Texas and yet it is under constant attack by bad science and renewable energy tax abatements. 3. We need to support and let our law enforcement agencies know that they are important to us as a state and society. It is hard to have an active and vibrant society if families and communities do not feel safe to go outside and shop and play.
How has the coronavirus pandemic shaped your priorities?
I have seen in the last several months what happens when a nation and a state lives in a state of fear. I see a violent minority start taking over cities and showing no regard for life or property. I see an economy that was the ninth largest in the world decimated and people losing their jobs and businesses. I have seen people fall into depression and suicide rates increase as people sit and watch their livelihood disappear before their eyes with no fault of their own. All of this is a result of choosing to live in fear. Then instead of trusting people to be able to exercise their freedoms and get through this pandemic, the government decided to lock everyone down and shut their business. It is time to allow Texans to get back to doing what they do best. Overcome and improvise and do what is best for their family and neighbors. It is time to allow Texans the freedom to make decisions that will lift this state back to place of prominence and stability again.
For incumbents: What do you consider your most significant accomplishments in office? What would you change?
N/A
For non-incumbents: What, if anything, would you do differently from the current officeholder?
This would be a two-fold answer. First, I would make sure that I can be found and approachable. The biggest complaint I have heard about my opponent is that in the 33 years she has been in office most people and communities have never seen her, and that she stays only in Austin or Laredo and never makes it to the other 16 counties to see how they fare. Secondly, I would put life back as a priority. How can a society prosper and grow if it does not choose to defend those who cannot defend themselves? We need to pass legislation that protects a child while it is in the womb and then legislation that better educates that child as they grow into young adults.
