My grandfather was the chief of police in Sweetwater, Texas. He didn’t get the opportunity to know my father when he was young because he was in the Pacific fighting for this country. When he came back, he got to know my dad for a couple of years, and then unfortunately he passed away from cancer. My grandmother found herself a single mother in West Texas raising my dad, who had just contracted polio, and his two-year-old brother.
She didn’t give up. She didn’t walk away. She pulled herself up and she worked hard. She got my dad to walk again and eventually he went on to Texas Tech, the first to go to college in my family. And, while doing all of that, my grandmother was elected County Clerk in Nolan County.
This is the America I know. This is the America I love. This is the America I’m trying to defend. I believe we need to stand up for America and the American traditions that gave us the ability to move up generationally and to succeed. And I believe we need to do that now more than ever.
Just over nine years ago, I walked out of MD Anderson Cancer Center and was declared cancer-free after battling Stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I walked out and hugged my two-year-old son, Charlie, my six-month-old daughter, Virginia, and my beautiful bride, Carrah. I looked at them and I promised them and myself that I would do everything in my power to leave everything on the political field to defend this country for my kids, my grandkids, and all Americans.
What I was saying then was that we should stand up for America. Unfortunately, so many people these days don’t want to do that. Let me be clear. I’m proud of America. I’m proud of our history. I’m proud to stand unequivocally with the law enforcement officers in our community, and I’m proud that they stand unequivocally behind me. That’s why I’ve had the honor of earning the endorsement of the Texas Municipal Police Association (TMPA), Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT), and the San Antonio Police Officers Association, just to name a few.
And at a time when many in Washington can’t agree on anything, I was proud to work with a fellow freshman – Democrat Dean Phillips – to pass the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act. It was a bill that passed the House 417-1, passed the Senate unanimously, and was signed by President Donald Trump. And as a result, thousands of small businesses can keep their doors open and continue to pay their employees.
When it comes to the coronavirus, we have to rise above politics. In February, I worked hard to make sure San Antonio was protected when we were moving people from cruise ships to Lackland Air Force Base. I also started a Protect Our Seniors program because I knew protecting our vulnerable was one of the most important things we had to do.
I’m proud of my record working to promote job creation, standing with the men and women of law enforcement, and being a voice for Central Texas in Washington. I would love to have your support and I look forward to the opportunity to continue representing you in Congress.
Read opponent Wendy Davis’ commentary here.
