Trey Trainor is an election attorney who worked for then-Gov. Rick Perry and twice chaired the Federal Election Commission under the Trump administration. He’s now in private practice in Dripping Springs. Trainor is in a crowded Republican primary to replace U.S. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Dripping Springs), who is running for Attorney General instead of seeking reelection in 2026.
Hear from the candidate
1. Please tell voters about yourself.
I am James “Trey” Trainor, III, age 52. I live in Driftwood, Texas, with my wife and our six
children. A lifelong conservative and proud Catholic, I am a board-certified attorney in
legislative and campaign law. I have practiced election law, campaign finance, and ethics for over two decades.
I served as a Commissioner on the Federal Election Commission, appointed by President Donald Trump, where I twice served as Chairman. Earlier, I worked in the Texas Secretary of State’s Office as General Counsel and have served as counsel to the Republican Party of Texas.
I the only candidate who has worked directly with President Trump since 2016 and fought for President Trump through the entire Biden administration. I am running for Congress in TX-21 to defend our Constitution and secure a stronger future for Texas families.
2. Briefly describe your top policy priorities.
My top priority is securing our nation through passage of the PAUSE Act and barring adherents to Sharia law from entering the United States. The PAUSE Act (Preserving a Sharia-Free America elements and broader immigration pauses) would halt admissions until security is ensured, protecting Americans from threats. We must prevent any ideology incompatible with our Constitution—like Sharia law—from taking root here, as introduced in related legislation by Rep. Chip Roy. This safeguards our sovereignty, culture, and freedoms.
Beyond that, I prioritize election integrity to restore trust in our democracy, building on my FEC experience. We need strong borders, energy independence to lower costs, and defending life and parental rights. I will fight inflation through fiscal restraint, cutting wasteful spending, and unleashing American energy. I support Second Amendment rights, religious liberty, and limited government. As a Trump ally, I will work to drain the swamp, hold bureaucrats accountable, and put America First. Texas families deserve representatives who deliver results, not excuses.
3. What should Congress be doing to rein in inflation and/or stabilize/boost the economy?
Congress must urgently rein in inflation by restoring fiscal discipline: slash wasteful federal spending, eliminate unnecessary programs, and balance the budget over time. We should unleash American energy production—drill here, build pipelines, and reduce regulations—to lower fuel and electricity costs that drive up prices for families.
Pass pro-growth tax reforms to keep more money in Americans’ pockets and encourage investment. End excessive money printing and hold the Federal Reserve accountable. Reduce regulatory burdens on small businesses and manufacturers to boost job creation and supply chains. Prioritize trade policies that protect U.S.
workers, not foreign interests.
These steps will stabilize prices, fuel economic growth, and restore prosperity without big-government handouts. Moreover, I am the only candidate who has successfully led a federal agency through DOGE-driven reductions.
4. What should Congress be doing to reform immigration laws?
Congress must secure the border first—no reforms without enforcement. Pass the PAUSE Act to pause admissions until security is ensured, and bar entry to adherents of Sharia law or other ideologies incompatible with our Constitution.
Finish the wall, end catch-and-release, reinstate Remain in Mexico, and deport criminal aliens swiftly. Reform legal immigration to prioritize merit, skills, and assimilation—reduce chain migration and the visa lottery. Eliminate sanctuary policies that shield lawbreakers. Increase resources for Border Patrol and ICE while holding Mexico and others accountable for stopping flows.
These measures protect American jobs, wages, safety, and sovereignty.
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?
I will vigorously defend Congress’s constitutional authority over the purse and war powers. If the executive oversteps, I will use oversight tools—hearings, subpoenas, and investigations—to demand transparency and accountability. I support legislation to reassert congressional prerogatives, including clear limits on emergency powers and required approvals for major actions.
Where possible, I will work with the administration on shared priorities like border
security, but I will not hesitate to vote against unconstitutional spending or deployments. The Founders designed checks and balances for a reason—Congress must reclaim its role to prevent executive overreach and protect liberty.
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?
Congress should promote free-market reforms to lower costs and increase choices, not expand government control. Allow cross-state insurance sales to boost competition.
Expand health savings accounts (HSAs) and give individuals more control over their plans. Repeal burdensome Obamacare mandates that drive up premiums. Support tort reform to reduce defensive medicine costs. Encourage price transparency so patients know costs upfront. Protect rural access in Texas by incentivizing providers in underserved areas through targeted tax credits or deregulation, not federal takeovers. Focus on lowering drug prices via competition and ending foreign free riding.
These steps empower consumers, reduce premiums, and improve access without rationing or socialism.
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