Austin, TX – Americans for Prosperity Action (AFP Action) today announced their support for four additional candidates vying for the Texas House of Representatives ahead of Texas’ primary election. The following candidates earned the support of AFP Action for their shared vision of empowering people through principled policy solutions that will help transform the Lone Star State: Rep. Dustin Burrows (HD-83), Rep. Andrew Murr (HD-53), Janie Lopez (HD-37), and Ellen Troxclair (HD-19).

The group will leverage a wide range of tactics including their signature grassroots mobilization, direct-mail, and digital advertisements to help get these candidates elected and reelected to office.

AFP Action Texas Senior Advisor Genevieve Collins issued the following statement:

“There is no better time than now to address the biggest issues plaguing families across Texas. We need better access to quality, affordable health care, increased educational opportunities that empower students and families, and real tax reform that puts money back into the pockets of hardworking taxpayers. These individuals’ willingness to pioneer real change will position Texas for a better tomorrow. Our activists are ready to mobilize and help see these candidates through their primaries.”

Rep. Dustin Burrows (HD-83):
As Chairman of the Calendars Committee, Rep. Dustin Burrows delivered transformative reforms that cap state government spending and put Texas’ public pension system on stable financial footing. As Ways and Means Chairman in 2019, Burrows also delivered historic property tax reform in SB 2. Rep. Burrows will continue to advance fiscally responsible policies and deliver real results for Texans.

Rep. Andrew Murr (HD-53):
As a staunch supporter of smart on crime, soft on taxpayer criminal justice reforms, Rep. Andrew Murr championed historic pre-trial bail reform in 2019 and 2021. Rep. Murr has also fought for property tax reform and supports expanding fiscal responsibility across the state. In office, Rep. Murr will continue to put people over politics to drive lasting change from the bottom-up.

Janie Lopez (HD-37):
As a public-school board trustee in the Rio Grande Valley, Janie Lopez fought tirelessly for more financial transparency and accountability in our school systems. If elected, she will champion policies that empower Texas families and students and also policies that lower the cost of living for our communities in the valley.

Ellen Troxclair (HD-19):
During her time in Austin, former Austin City Councilwoman Ellen Troxclair focused on lowering property taxes for homeowners through the city’s first homestead exemption and fought to eliminate wasteful government spending. As a member of the Texas House of Representatives, she will continue to call for increased taxpayer accountability.

Background:

AFP Action and LIBRE Action Announce First Wave Of Texas State Legislative Candidate Endorsements 1/21/2022

Political advertising. Paid for by Americans for Prosperity Action. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. afpaction.com

Austin, TX – Today, Americans for Prosperity Action (AFP Action) and The LIBRE Initiative Action (LIBRE Action) came together to announce their joint support of several Texas state legislative candidates. The following candidates earned the support of AFP Action and LIBRE Action for their commitment to advance principled policy solutions that seek to tackle the greatest challenges Texans face: Adam Blanchard (HD-122), Laura Hill (HD-93), Hayden Padgett (HD-70), and Kronda Thimesch (HD-65).

AFP Action and LIBRE Action are committed to seeing policy changes throughout Texas and are willing to spend up to $1M to ensure these candidates clear their primaries in March. The groups will leverage their signature grassroots army across 11 offices, deploying over 1,000 activists across Texas, as well as direct mail, digital advertisements, and events to urge voters to support these policy champions. LIBRE Action’s efforts will be laser-focused on engaging Texas’ growing Latino vote in these key districts.

Both groups will continue to evaluate additional candidates that show leadership in passing meaningful policy reforms which will be announced in the coming weeks.

AFP Action Texas Senior Advisor Genevieve Collins issued the following statement:

“For decades, Texas has led the nation in increasing personal freedoms through meaningful policy reforms. We are confident that the candidates we are endorsing today will carry on this tradition and continue to make the Lone Star State an example for others to follow as the Texas Legislature continues to create opportunities and achieve results for all Texans.

“In office, these candidates will work to increase access to quality, affordable health care, expand educational opportunities, and prioritize fiscal responsibility to help lower the tax burden on hardworking families. Our activists are excited to hit the ground running and get these candidates elected to office.”

 

Jorge Martinez, LIBRE Action Texas Advisor, issued the following statement:

“The road to Austin runs through the growing Hispanic population in Texas. LIBRE Action is committed to mobilizing our grassroots army of activists and volunteers to reject top-down one size-fits-all proposals by supporting these policy champions who will expand opportunity and prosperity for all Texans – including the Lone Star State’s growing Hispanic community.

“As recent elections have shown, Latinos in Texas are looking for solutions to every day needs including: job creation, economic opportunity and how best to provide their children with a good education.”

 

Adam Blanchard (HD-122):

As a successful entrepreneur and founder of three companies, Adam Blanchard understands the importance of fostering a business environment that creates jobs and encourages growth. As a member of the Texas House of Representatives, Blanchard will cut unnecessary job-killing regulations, fight for lower taxes for all Texans, advocate for a health care system that is “more transparent, affordable, and accessible” for all Texas families.

 

Laura Hill (HD-93):

As a member of the Texas House of Representatives, former Southlake Mayor, mother of three, and co-owner of two successful local businesses, Laura Hill will prioritize improving Texas’ classrooms, removing mandates and unnecessary red tape for businesses, and fighting to lower taxes for Texas families. Hill understands that lowering taxes and getting government out of the way will create new jobs and keep Texas’ economy thriving.

 

Hayden Padgett (HD-70): 

As a member of the Texas House of Representatives, Hayden Padgett will fight to expand options for parents in Texas’ education system and reduce the role of government in people’s lives. Padgett believes in a government that is “funded by as little as possible” and will ensure that taxes are constantly evaluated and wisely spent. He understands that Texas is “the engine of America” and has dedicated his adult life to serving the community through positions on the Plano Parks & Recreations Board and Texas Product Development & Small Business Incubator Board.

 

Kronda Thimesch (HD-65):

As a local business owner and resident of House District 65 for more than 35 years, Kronda Thimesch understands the importance of lowering taxes and removing excessive regulations on families and businesses. As a member of the Texas House of Representatives, Thimesch will lower property taxes, “improve health care access” while lowering costs, and “grow the Texas economic miracle” by enabling the private sector to better create jobs. She is committed to fostering a state environment free from “over-taxation and heavy-handed regulation” “so we can all have the dignity of work and provide for our families.”

 

 

Political advertising. Paid for by Americans for Prosperity Action. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. afpaction.com

AUSTIN, TX – Americans for Prosperity Action (AFP Action) today announced its support for two candidates running for election and re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives – Rep. Van Taylor (TX-03) and Wesley Hunt (TX-38). These candidates earned the support of AFP Action for their commitment to championing principled policy solutions that put people over politics to help create a freer and stronger nation.

AFP Action will leverage a wide range of tactics, including its signature grassroots outreach and mobilization, to urge voters to support these candidates.

AFP Action Senior Advisor Genevieve Collins issued the following statement:

“Americans are calling out for leaders who will pave a better path forward and get their lives back to normal. AFP Action is confident in Rep. Van Taylor and Wesley Hunt’s ability to step up to the plate and put partisan politics aside to lead in the best interest of Texas families.

“Their commitment to fiscal responsibility, reducing excessive federal overreach, fulfilling our promise to veterans, and ensuring every American can access quality and affordable health care will help make it easier for our country to recover. Our activists are excited to get out in their communities and talk with voters to get these candidates re-elected and elected to office.”

Background:

REPRESENTATIVE VAN TAYLOR (TX-03)

In Washington, Representative Van Taylor leads on fiscal responsibility and has been an outspoken advocate for more transparency in government spending. During his time in Congress, Taylor cosponsored legislation to establish spending limits as a part of the “Maximizing America’s Prosperity Act of 2021,” as well as improved transparency through his support of the “Cost Estimates Improvement Act.” In addition, he spent his first term opposing legislation that would provide special interest tax breaks and subsidies that disproportionately benefit the wealthy and ensure working families pay more to get less.

Van Taylor believes in more transparency and fairness in our tax code. He is committed to helping individuals and families keep more of their hard-earned paychecks. During his second term, Taylor was a lead sponsor for the Truth in Taxation Act that would require specific descriptions of how pending legislation would affect federal taxes. He was also the lead sponsor of similar legislation passed during his time in the Texas Senate. This year, Taylor cosponsored the “Death Tax Repeal Act,” which would free families from costs associated with passing their businesses and farms down to the next generation. Additionally, he fought to retain equality and fairness in the tax code by opposing changes enacted through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

Van Taylor has led on criminal justice reform and believes in improving the system to be smarter on crime and softer on taxpayers. In Washington, Taylor has cosponsored several key legislative policies including increasing attorney-client communications privileges, sentencing reform, and eliminating red tape for certain treatments related to substance abuse.

As a decorated Marine, Representative Van Taylor knows the importance of taking care of veterans when they return home. In 2021, Taylor introduced legislation that would protect Servicemembers, Veterans, and their families from being targeted by fraud and other predatory schemes.  In 2020, Taylor cosponsored legislation that would increase treatment options for veterans suffering from PTSD. In addition, Taylor has consistently advocated for increasing capacity at VA facilities where veterans are forced to endure long wait times to receive care.

Representative Van Taylor is committed to bridging divides. During his time in Congress, Taylor has been praised for his bipartisan solutions and working across the aisle to get things done. Described as “Mr. Bipartisan,” Taylor makes a point to dedicate his time on the U.S. House floor split evenly between both Democrats and Republicans. Additionally, he carries a card in his coat pocket that contains the names of authors of legislation he has cosponsored in order to build relationships, spark conversations, and fix the “distrust that exists in Washington.”

 

WESLEY HUNT (TX-38) 

Wesley Hunt is committed to strengthening the labor market and will enact policies that remove needless red-tape and regulations hurting Texas small businesses. Hunt understands the importance of having a strong economy that is able to provide jobs for all people looking for work. In Washington, Hunt says he will champion free market solutions and push for deregulation that gets the federal government out of the way and unlocks the limitless potential of the American people. He also promises to fight against policies like the “Green New Deal” that would be a $16 trillion tax on individuals and eliminate thousands of jobs.

Wesley Hunt will lead on strong fiscal policies that help Americans keep more of their hard-earned paychecks and reduce government waste. Hunt is committed to fighting against wasteful and inefficient federal spending and cut taxes. He understands the importance of spending within our means and that Americans are overtaxed. He is a strong proponent of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and is committed “to make tax cuts permanent and give relief to middle class families.” In Congress, Hunt promises to stand up against massive Congressional spending sprees that drive up costs and leave future generations with crippling levels of debt. Hunt is opposed to President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda and has repeatedly stressed the need for Congress to adopt a balanced budget.

Wesley Hunt is committed to making health care more affordable for all Americans by allowing competition to boost quality and drive down prices. Hunt believes that a government takeover of health care will make care worse and is an advocate for boosting flexibility in the current insurance industry. He supports allowing companies to reach customers across state lines to better enable individuals to find a health plan that best suits their personal needs.

DENVER – Today, Americans for Prosperity Action (AFP Action) announced its endorsement of Barbara Kirkmeyer for Colorado’s 8^th Congressional District. If elected, Kirkmeyer will put people over politics to drive lasting change from the bottom-up to ensure that each person is empowered to achieve their version of the American Dream. AFP Action will utilize a variety of highly targeted tactics, including grassroots engagement, digital advertisements, and direct mail to support her campaign.

 

AFP Action Senior Advisor Jesse Mallory issued the following statement:

“Barbara Kirkmeyer’s track record speaks for itself. She’s successfully advocated for stronger fiscal responsibility and smarter spending in Colorado. Now more than ever, these leadership skills are needed in Washington to get our economy back on track and to allow hardworking taxpayers to keep more of what they earn to invest in their families’ futures as we navigate these difficult times. We’re eager to place the full weight of our grassroots behind Barbara Kirkmeyer’s to ensure this principled leader gets elected.”

 

Background:

Colorado State Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer is a tireless advocate for responsible fiscal policies and understands the importance of transparency in our tax code. As a “fiscal hawk,” State Senator Kirkmeyer is focused on limiting the size, scope, and cost of government. She is committed to ensuring that Colorado’s budget lives within its means and understands the greatest threat to our future is an ever-rising debt. In her campaign for Senate District 23 last year, she called attention to massive increases in Colorado’s budget and stressed the importance of “tightening our belt and prioritizing spending.” As Weld County commissioner, Kirkmeyer managed a balanced budget that over a ten-year period returned more than $278 million to county taxpayers. She is committed to not supporting tax hikes, or any gimmicks disguised as a tax hike, and this year opposed an increase in fees related to the state’s fuel tax.

Barbara Kirkmeyer fought to rein in onerous and job-killing regulations that hurt our economy, and has advocated for strong policies that empower our energy sector. State Senator Kirkmeyer understands the importance of having a “stable, fair, predictable regulatory environment” and “will work to repeal laws and regulations that hurt our economy.” As State Senator, she fought to bring more flexibility to retailers adapting during the ongoing pandemic and cosponsored legislation to create a statewide search interface for all Colorado-agency related rule-making. As commissioner, she was strongly opposed to SB 181 that gave local governments more power to impose regulations on and barriers to energy production. In addition, Kirkmeyer understands Colorado’s oil and gas industry is “an economic driver… generating good jobs and tax revenues for our schools.”

Barbara Kirkmeyer understands the importance of a patient-driven health care market focusing on quality and affordable care. She is committed to improving the nation’s health care system and has fought tirelessly against a government takeover of our insurance markets. As state senator, Kirkmeyer sponsored innovative legislation to increase accountability for Colorado’s pharmacy benefit managers leading to an estimated $6.7 million – $8.9 million in savings on annual prescription costs. In addition, she fought against legislation that would establish drug price controls that could lead to drug shortages, government rationing, and less cures for patients. This year, she opposed a bill establishing a public health insurance in Colorado limiting residents’ ability to find a plan that best fits their individual needs.

Barbara Kirkmeyer has been a vocal advocate for empowering families and expanding education opportunities for Coloradan students. State Senator Kirkmeyer believes in an education system that maximizes options and flexibility for students, “whether that’s a public school, charter school, private school, trade/vocational school, or any other learning environment parents choose for their kids.” She acknowledges that bureaucracy and administrative costs are growing exponentially and is negatively impacting students.