Bruce Richardson is an accountant who lives in Alpine. He worked as an enumerator for the U.S. Census Bureau in 2020, interviewing rural west Texans in English,
Mandarin, and Spanish. He’s one of four Democrats seeking their party’s nomination in Texas’ 23rd Congressional District.
Hear from the candidate
1. Please tell voters about yourself.
- I am 67 years old and live in Alpine, TX.
- Education: University of Notre Dame, BA Classics / University of Texas at Dallas, MBA Accounting
- Experience: I am an accountant with 30 years’ experience across a range of entities, from non-profits to family firms to major multinationals, including 5 years as a tax accountant for Arthur Andersen. I have the training and experience to analyze government spending and demand true and accurate explanations.
2. Briefly describe your top policy priorities.
- Fund Social Security by raising the FICA cap to $1,000,000,
- Make Medicare available to all, with subsidies for the poor.
- Increase funding for rural education, especially pre-K, Head Start, and after-school programs which are force multipliers for learning.
- Increase the number of Representatives to 700. This will reduce gains from gerrymandering, lower barriers to entry for citizen candidates, and make Representatives more accountable to their constituents.
- Introduce term limits – four 6-year terms for Senators, twelve 2-year terms for Representatives.
- Propose a constitutional amendment to eliminate the electoral college.
- Propose a constitutional amendment to eliminate the pardon power.
3. What should Congress be doing to rein in inflation and/or stabilize/boost the economy?
To rein in inflation:
- Hold hearings to force private equity landlords to explain their rents and to disclose their dividends to already wealthy shareholders.
- Hold hearings to force retailers to explain high prices in rural areas, including gasoline in Alpine, TX which mysteriously is always $0.30 to $0.50 higher per gallon than the freeway price.
To boost the economy:
- Raise the minimum wage.
- Protect unions.
4. What should Congress be doing to reform immigration laws?
- First principle: Our immigration system is broken by design, fixing it requires bipartisan courage – I’m looking at you, House Republicans.
- Our asylum criteria were formulated to offer shelter to victims of Nazi violence and Soviet oppression, clearly not issues now. A new asylum regime must address the needs of our whole society – not just employers.
On a case-by-case basis, those already in the country illegally should be offered either a plane ride home or a path to permanent residency. - I will vote to implement humane, effective border enforcement by increasing the numbers and training of Customs and Border Patrol special agents, increasing detainment facilities and personnel, and recruiting qualified judges and court staff at the border.
I will vote to reform ICE, which has become Stephen Miller and Donald Trump’s personal goon squad.
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?
- Impeach Donald Trump and his cabinet.
- Use the upcoming Democratic majority to call hearings to name and
shame this administration’s violations of our constitution. - Hold hearings on the activities of DOGE, especially violations of
data protection laws. - Introduce resolutions to block the administration’s overreach.
- Retroactively repeal any protections for federal agents – ICE – who violate
our constitutional rights.
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?
- Make Medicare available to all, with subsidies for low-income participants
and families with young children. - Rural counties in Texas 23 are healthcare deserts – regardless of one’s
insurance coverage. I will sponsor/support legislation to fund clinics in
small communities with trained staff and facilities for telehealth services.
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