Regina Vanburg is a trauma psychologist from Bandera who has worked for the Audie Murphy VA Hospital in San Antonio and an outpatient clinic in Kerrville. She now works as a data analyst studying the health of service members moving basic training, and has a business running cultural competence trainings. Vanburg is one of three Democrats running for their party’s nomination in Texas’ 21st Congressional District.
Hear from the candidate
1. Please tell voters about yourself.
I am 44 years old and live in Bandera, Texas, where I was raised. I am the daughter of an immigrant, and both of my parents served our country in the armed forces. I was raised with simple values that still guide me today: give more than you take, tell the truth, and leave things better than you found them.
I earned a double major in Government and History from the University of Texas at Austin, a master’s degree in Counseling from St. Edward’s University, and a doctorate in Psychology from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio. I am a VA-trained trauma psychologist, a small business owner, and my practice was recognized in 2025 as one of the top 25 mental health providers in San Antonio.
I am also a former federal employee and currently work as a data analyst supporting the United States Air Force. My work spans healthcare, public service, and data-driven problem solving.
2. Briefly describe your top policy priorities.
There is a lot of work to do and a lot of fires to put out, but we have to start by defending the basics. If we lose our democracy, we lose the ability to make progress on anything else that matters, from healthcare to immigration reform to education and economic security.
My first priority is protecting our vote. When voting rights are weakened, fair maps disappear and accountability collapses. When democracy fails, only the powerful win. If people cannot participate freely and trust the system, there is no path forward on any other issue.
Second, I am focused on protecting our wealth by making the economy work for people, not corporations. That means raising the minimum wage, taxing wealth instead of work, protecting labor and collective bargaining rights, and capping corporate homeownership so Wall Street cannot buy up housing and price families out.
Third, we must protect our water and public resources. As a member of Congress, I would support banning non-disclosure agreements tied to public assets so Texans have a real say in how their land, water, utilities, and infrastructure are used.
3. What should Congress be doing to rein in inflation and/or stabilize/boost the economy?
As a member of Congress, I would focus on lowering everyday costs by restoring fairness and accountability to the economy. Families are paying more because powerful interests face too few limits, not because everyday costs are inevitable.
I would strengthen consumer protections that once kept costs in check. That includes capping overdraft fees, limiting excessive credit card interest rates, and enforcing rules that prevent price gouging in housing, healthcare, and utilities. I would also support raising the minimum wage so paychecks keep pace with the cost of living.
Stabilizing the economy also means investing in infrastructure, energy reliability, and supply chains so communities are less vulnerable to shocks. These investments require revenue, and that means taxing billionaires and highly profitable corporations fairly so we can fund the systems that keep prices stable and opportunity within reach.
4. What should Congress be doing to reform immigration laws?
As a member of Congress, I would pursue immigration reform that is practical, humane, and rooted in the rule of law. That includes expanding lawful pathways to citizenship and expanding pathways to naturalization, which is the legal process that allows eligible immigrants who are already here to become citizens. Too many people who qualify are blocked by backlogs, cost, or outdated rules.
I would support repealing the three- and ten-year bars, modernizing visa programs, and ensuring immigration courts are fully staffed so cases are resolved fairly and efficiently. I would also work to end private detention contracts and expand proven alternatives to detention that keep families together while ensuring compliance.
As the daughter of an immigrant, I believe immigration policy should reflect reality, respect dignity, and strengthen our economy.
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?
Congress has a constitutional responsibility to serve as a coequal branch of government, not a bystander. When the executive branch asserts authority over spending or national security without congressional input, it is not just bypassing Congress, it is bypassing the people.
As a member of Congress, I would use oversight, appropriations, and legislation to reassert its role. That includes demanding transparency, enforcing limits on executive power, and ensuring major decisions reflect democratic consent rather than unilateral action.
Defending checks and balances is not about party. It is about protecting democracy itself and preventing the concentration of power that leads to abuse.
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?
Healthcare should be affordable, accessible, and respectful of privacy. All healthcare decisions belong between patients and their providers. When government interferes in medical care, it delays treatment, undermines trust, and puts lives at risk.
As a member of Congress, I would support a modern, phased-in approach to Medicare for All that lowers costs, reduces medical debt, and ensures coverage follows people regardless of employment. In the interim, I support permanently extending ACA tax credits to bridge the gap as Medicare for All is rolled out.
I would also invest in rural healthcare, mental health services, and the healthcare workforce so communities are not left without care. As a trauma psychologist, I have seen how harmful it is when people avoid treatment because of cost, fear, or political interference. Protecting healthcare means protecting privacy, provider discretion, and timely access to evidence-based care close to home.
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