Austin, TX – Americans for Prosperity Action-Texas (AFP Action-TX) today endorsed a new wave of candidates for the Texas State Legislature, bringing the organization’s total state legislative endorsements to 15.

The AFP Action-TX-backed candidates announced today are:

• Adam Hinojosa (SD-27)
• Carolyn Vaughn (HD-34)          
• Caroline Harris (HD-52)
• Carrie Isaac (HD-73)
• Melisa Denis (HD-115)
• Rep. John Lujan (HD-118)
• Mano DeAyala (HD-133)

“We need leaders who will stand up for our families and guide Texas into a better tomorrow,” said AFP Action Texas Advisor Sam Sheetz. “These candidates received AFP Action-TX’s endorsement because of their commitment to policies that advance freedom and opportunity by breaking down barriers and getting government out of the way. We look forward to connecting with voters to ensure these candidates’ success in November.”

AFP Action-TX will leverage a wide range of tactics, including the country’s largest grassroots outreach and mobilization, a full-time dedicated staff, and trained volunteers to educate and mobilize voters to support these candidates ahead of November’s general election.

BACKGROUND

Adam Hinojosa (SD-27)

Adam Hinojosa will be a friend to taxpayers and small businesses when elected to the State Senate in November. As a small business owner, Hinojosa understands the challenges that government overreach generates for men and women trying to create jobs and grow businesses. He will support important tax reforms, such as changes to the current property appraisal structure and fiscally responsible budget practices that keep state spending under strict caps. Hinojosa will also advocate for expanding education opportunities so parents can select programs that meet their children’s individual learning needs.

Carolyn Vaughn (HD-34)

As a county commissioner, Carolyn Vaughn took a hard line on tax increases. She can be counted on to provide similar scrutiny of any proposed tax increases when elected to the State House in November. Vaughn will give equal scrutiny to spending proposals through budget process reform. And she will also work to provide parents and children with more educational opportunities through charter schools and other programs that empower parents and expand choices.

Caroline Harris (HD-52)

Caroline Harris worked as a staffer in the legislature to advance education freedom in the form of education savings accounts and tax credit scholarships that empower parents to give their children a quality education that meets their child’s specific learning needs. When elected to the State House, Harris will use her staff experience to drive additional freedoms and get government out of the way of a quality education for all children. Harris will also work to put the peoples’ interests over special interests.

Carrie Isaac (HD-73)

As a state legislator, Carrie Isaac will be a strong advocate for a more taxpayer-friendly tax code and has made property tax reform a top priority. Isaac will be equally focused on the spending side and has expressed support for a bold taxpayer bill of rights that protects hardworking Texans and reins in government spending.

Melisa Denis (HD-115)

Melisa Denis understands that inflation is ravaging Texas, which is impacting not only our gas and grocery bills but our property tax bills as well. Denis will work in the State House to protect the interests of Texans to ensure they are not priced out of their communities. She will also work to keep Texas attractive to world-class businesses, creating jobs and opportunities and improving lives. Denis will also work to ensure health care consumers have access to high-quality care at affordable prices by expanding health savings accounts, telemedicine, and other policies that increase the personal option and greater choice.

Rep. John Lujan (HD-118)

Rep. John Lujan has a passion for education reform. He will work in the State House to advance more freedom and greater choice for Texas parents to get their kids out of failing schools and into schools that provide high-quality education in a safe environment. Lujan will support over-burdened taxpayers through tax cuts—including property tax reform—and responsible spending.

Mano DeAyala (HD-133)

Mano DeAyala understands that Texans need greater access to innovative health care at an affordable cost. Once elected, he will support proven programs, such as telemedicine, and oppose policies, such as Medicaid expansion, that have repeatedly failed in other states. DeAyala will champion Texas taxpayers through property tax reductions and reforms and reducing property appraisal caps to protect against future increases. He understands the need for greater educational freedom and will support policies that give parents greater choice.

ABOUT AFP ACTION AFP Action is a 527 political action committee focused on electing candidates who will drive policy change and facilitate the building of broad policy coalitions that remove barriers to opportunity and help people improve their lives. The organization has a strong, permanent grassroots presence, including highly motivated activists who volunteer during the election season by making telephone calls and knocking on doors in support of policy champions.

Tallahassee, FL – Americans for Prosperity Action-Florida today endorsed additional State House and Senate candidates. These endorsements bring AFP Action-FL’s total state legislative endorsements to 35.

“We’ve been active across the state for months,” said AFP Action-FL Senior Advisor Skylar Zander.

“Our activists have been knocking on doors and making phone calls,” he said. “And we’ve been targeting key voters in the mail and across social media to educate and turn them out for candidates who support policies that get government out of the way of hard-working Floridians.

“These additional legislative candidates understand the challenges Florida faces, and they will work to break down barriers that stand in the way of a strong economy, strong schools, and safe communities where families, businesses, and retirees can thrive,” Zander said.

AFP Action will leverage a wide range of tactics, including the country’s largest grassroots outreach and mobilization, a full-time dedicated staff, and trained volunteers to educate and mobilize voters to support endorsed candidates.

BACKGROUND

Rachel Plakon (HD-36)

When she takes office next year, Rachel Plakon will strongly advocate for lower taxes and tax reforms that improve the system and oppose any effort to impose new taxes on hard-working Floridians. She also understands that not all children learn the same way or struggle in failing schools. Plakon will work to empower parents with more education opportunities to better address their children’s unique learning needs. This includes policies that provide school choice for all, including Universal Education Savings Accounts.

State Rep. Lawrence McClure (HD-68)

Rep. Lawrence McClure has been a champion of policies that advance the interests of hard-working Floridians and break down barriers to work. This includes multiple votes to reform occupational licensing laws, which require certain workers to get a government permission slip before they can work. As a small business owner, McClure understands government regulations too often stand in the way of new jobs and economic growth. As a state lawmaker, McClure has worked to eliminate wasteful and burdensome regulations and to hold local governments accountable for the costs they impose on businesses.

State Rep. John Snyder (HD-86)

Rep. John Snyder has been a strong advocate of policies to expand education freedom, including Universal Education Savings Accounts and the expansion of charter schools. He also understands that when government regulates work—people suffer. That’s why he has repeatedly worked to reform occupational licensing laws that make it harder and more expensive to work and create new business opportunities. Snyder supported legislation to preempt local occupational licensing efforts and make it easier for military members to transfer their skills to the private sector.

Corey Simon (SD-03)

When Corey Simon takes office next year, he will work to advance health care policies that increase access to care at lower costs to consumers. He will also support efforts to expand telemedicine, which proved so valuable during the COVID pandemic. Simon’s non-profit work taught him the value of quality and innovative education. In the Senate, he will support public school open enrollment, Universal Education Savings Accounts, and public charter schools.

Jay Collins (SD-14)

Jay Collins is a decorated veteran committed to the principles of a free society. He supports health care choice and increasing accessibility by lowering barriers to access through expanded telehealth and price transparency. Collins will also empower parents with greater education freedom to provide the learning opportunities that best meet their children’s needs. These include supporting Universal Education Savings Accounts, public charter schools, and public school open enrollment.

ABOUT AFP ACTION

AFP Action is a 527 political action committee focused on electing candidates who will drive policy change and facilitate the building of broad policy coalitions that remove barriers to opportunity and help people improve their lives. The organization has a strong, permanent grassroots presence, including highly motivated activists who volunteer during the election season by making telephone calls and knocking on doors in support of policy champions.

During the 2020 election cycle, AFP Action supported candidates nationwide with more than 8.5 million telephone calls, 1.5 million door knocks, and more than 49 million pieces of mail. AFP Action has unmatched direct voter outreach capability supported by a world-class data operation.

For further information or to set up an interview, reach Ciara Kennedy-Mercer at ciarakennedymercer@afpaction.com