Paul Rojas is an engineer who has worked for the Southwest Research Institute, Cisco and Microsoft. He lives near New Braunfels and owns a a firearms manufacturing business. Rojas 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’m 38 years old and was born and raised in San Antonio, growing up on the South Side near Highway 90 and Ray Ellison. I didn’t come from money or politics. I worked my way through school and earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics and a Master of Science in Software Engineering from St. Mary’s University, along with a Master’s degree in Technology Commercialization from the University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business.
I’ve spent my career outside politics, working in technology and engineering with companies like Microsoft, Cisco, NASA contractors, and Southwest Research Institute. I’ve seen how decisions made in Washington affect jobs, infrastructure, and families on the ground. I’m also a small business owner in the firearms manufacturing industry, which has given me firsthand experience dealing with regulations, workforce challenges, and supply chains. I’m running because working families deserve representation from someone who’s actually lived in the real economy.
2. Briefly describe your top policy priorities.
My priorities are simple: protect American jobs, make life more affordable, and hold Washington accountable. Too many families are working harder than ever and still falling behind, while Congress keeps spending money it doesn’t have and passing policies that ship jobs overseas.
I’m focused on putting American workers first. That means stopping incentives that reward offshoring, cracking down on abuse of visa programs that undercut wages, and investing in skilled trades, domestic manufacturing, and critical infrastructure. Because of my pro-America, pro-middle-class, and pro-jobs platform, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 60 has chosen to endorse my campaign, making me the first Republican they have endorsed in many years.
I also believe Congress needs to start doing its job again. Too much power has been handed off to unelected agencies and executive actions, and voters are paying the price. Lawmakers should write the laws, oversee how money is spent, and be accountable for the results. I’ll also prioritize border security, public safety, and a healthcare system that works for patients, not bureaucracies.
3. What should Congress be doing to rein in inflation and/or stabilize/boost the economy?
Inflation didn’t just happen. It’s the result of years of reckless spending, debt, and policies that ignore how real people live. Congress needs to stop spending money it doesn’t have and pushing the costs onto families who are already stretched thin.
That starts with serious oversight, cutting waste, and getting federal spending under control. Congress should also support domestic energy production, because when energy prices go up, everything else follows, from groceries to rent.
We also need to protect American workers. Policies that reward offshoring or replace U.S. workers with cheaper labor hurt wages and weaken communities. A stable economy depends on strong jobs, rising paychecks, and an environment where small businesses can actually plan for the future.
4. What should Congress be doing to reform immigration laws?
Congress needs to secure the border and restore the rule of law. A broken system hurts everyone, it strains communities, overwhelms resources, and puts pressure on wages for working Americans.
At the same time, legal immigration should make sense and be enforced fairly. Congress must stop abuse of visa programs that allow companies to undercut American workers and avoid accountability. Employers who break the law should face real consequences.
Immigration policy shouldn’t be run through executive orders and loopholes. Congress needs to do the hard work of passing clear, enforceable laws that balance compassion, security, and fairness for workers and families.
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?
The Constitution is clear about who does what, and Congress has given up too much of its responsibility. When the executive branch acts without Congress, lawmakers shouldn’t shrug it off, they should push back.
Disagreements should be handled openly, through hearings, debate, and votes that the public can see. If Congress believes the executive branch has gone too far, it should use its oversight authority and, when necessary, the courts.
If lawmakers don’t do their jobs, unelected officials will keep filling the gap. Restoring the balance of power is about accountability and making sure decisions are made by people voters can actually replace.
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?
Health care is getting more expensive while access keeps shrinking, especially outside major cities. Congress should focus on lowering costs and keeping care local.
That means more transparency in pricing, more competition, and fewer bureaucratic rules that drive doctors and hospitals out of business. Community hospitals, rural clinics, and independent practices are disappearing, and families are paying the price.
Congress should also address workforce shortages and expand access to preventive and mental health care. Health care policy should put patients and providers first, not insurance companies, middlemen, or distant federal agencies.
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