I am also constitutional conservative, which means that I take the Constitution as written and amended.
My political views derive from a deep respect for the founding generations of both the United States and the Republic of Texas.
My conservative Texas-first values come from a family lineage that arrived in Texas while it was still Mexico and fought for Texas independence. I was raised with a Texas state of mind, which meant not relying on government, pulling yourself up by your bootstraps, helping your neighbor, and being charitable where your heart calls. This is the same state of mind so many of us share today.
My family history in the newly redrawn CD9 goes back over 125 years. Both my grandfather and father were born in Daisetta in Liberty County and both worked for Humble Oil. I was born in Baytown and lived in what was called the “Humble Camp” on the edge of Oak Edition where I attended Carver Jones Elementary.
In the late 80s I took a job with Atlantic Richfield at the old Sinclair Refinery on 225 in Pasadena. While there I started Diamond K Equipment in 1996 and also moved to Liberty County. I saw the refinery change from ARCO to Lyondell to Lyondell-Citgo before leaving to run my company full time in January of 2002. I specialized in bridge construction, excavation, and trucking, but after the economic collapse of 2008 we were forced out of bridge construction in early 2012. I had already formed Liberty Testing in 2011, which was an oilfield service company, placing much of my focus on it.
I started trading construction equipment internationally in the 90s and have first hand experience in monetary policy, tariffs, imports and exports. I’ve traded gear from Germany to Japan, Canada to Australia.
My wife and I have always been very involved in our community, particularly when it comes to kids and education. From sponsoring teams and organizations, to coaching and helping build fields and facilities, my wife and I have a long history of supporting our youth. My wife was a professional (SPED) educator who worked for La Porte ISD early in her career and retired from Tarkington ISD where I am currently a school board member and have been off and on since 2012. Over the years I have had the opportunity to speak in front of the State Board of Education as well as numerous legislative education committees.
I played almost every sport growing up and was a member of the FFA. I competed in rodeo (steerwrestling) in the early 90s and even bought my first competition horse trailer from my friend Larry Allen at his store off Red Bluff in Pasadena.
I began attending legislative sessions in 1999, and have been actively involved in the Republican Party of Texas since 2010. I’ve been a delegate to numerous State conventions where I have worked with committees to support our conservative principles, and have personally authored two party planks for the RPT Platform, one protecting the rights of rural counties during an amendment to the State Constitution and one dealing with how to properly address overreach by federal judges.
I’m sharing these personal details to show you that I share exponentially more in common with the people in CD9 than does any other candidate.
That’s why I’m respectfully asking for your support.
March will be here before you know it, and we are already being inundated with political marketing from candidates funded from outside the district who know basically nothing about our daily lives, or don’t live here, or both.
We finally have a chance to elect someone with similar life experiences and principles, so please donate today. Together... we can do this.
Please feel free to call me with any questions. 281-682-9654
