U.S. congressional candidate Mark Teixeira and Texas House District 53 Rep. Wes Virdell addressed more than 100 Bandera County residents at a political event Thursday, Sept. 24, at The Longhorn at Way Back Texas in Bandera.
Local businessman Russell Hevenor introduced the candidates.
Virdell, a freshman member of the Texas House, spoke first. He discussed his experience in the Legislature and his previous work as a state director with Gun Owners of America.
Virdell, who described himself as a ninth-generation Texan, is an Air Force veteran, business owner and father of three.
He began by discussing electrical transmission lines and the use of eminent domain, an issue of particular interest in Bandera County following opposition to large transmission projects in the western portion of the county.
U.S. 21st Congressional District candidate Mark Teixeira speaks to attendees during a Sept. 24 political event at The Longhorn at Way Back Texas in Bandera. BULLETIN PHOTO/ Tracy Thayer
Virdell said he opposes using rural areas to generate electricity that would primarily serve urban populations. He also discussed the growth of solar farms in Texas and their effects on neighboring landowners.
Virdell said he supports some regulation of largescale facilities when they have significant effects on surrounding rural areas.
He said he is not opposed to data centers but expressed concerns about their water usage, particularly in a state facing increasing demand. He cited San Antonio's water needs and said densely populated areas should develop better ways to obtain the natural resources needed to support growth.
Virdell also described water acquisition as a critical issue for current and future Texans.
During a question- and-answer session, Virdell addressed cloud seeding and weather modification. He said he had looked into the practice and found that it is, in many cases, prohibitively expensive.
He also discussed 'trap bills,' legislation that can be used to gather information about lawmakers' positions on issues.
Taxes and property taxes were also discussed. Virdell said he opposes additional taxes and supports limiting property tax increases. He cited legislation that would cap annual property tax increases at 1.5%.
Teixeira then addressed the crowd.
Teixeira is the Republican nominee for Texas' 21st Congressional District and a former professional baseball player who spent 14 seasons in Major League Baseball with the Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels and New York Yankees. He and his wife, Leigh, have three children. He also discussed six scholarships the couple has established in the Dallas- Fort Worth area and at Teixeira's high school.
Teixeira discussed transgender issues, including testimony involving transgender children before Congress. He also addressed the Texas Women's Privacy Act, which regulates restroom use in government and public buildings. The law does not apply to private properties.
Teixeira criticized what he described as efforts by the Democratic Socialists of America to undermine American democracy. He said he believes the country needs a new generation of leaders in Washington.
'We need a new generation of leaders in Washington ... career politicians have forgotten how to serve,' Teixeira said.
Teixeira also expressed support for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ken Paxton.
'Ken Paxton is not part of the problem. He's part of the solution,' Teixeira said.
The national debt was another topic raised during the question-and-answer session.
Teixeira said government agencies should undergo extensive spending reviews, using the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, as a model. He also said he supports eliminating the U.S. Department of Education.
Teixeira said the country needs a long-term plan to address the national debt, which he cited as approximately $41 trillion.
Special interest groups and U.S. policy toward Israel also came up during the discussion. Teixeira said he would not allow outside interests to influence his votes. 'Nobody is going to buy my vote,' he said.
A question about H-1B visas brought Teixeira to the subject of immigration. He said he opposes policies that he believes take employment opportunities away from U.S. citizens.
Teixeira also said he supports eliminating sanctuary cities. He said he believes a major conflict currently exists between Immigration and Customs Enforcement and federal judges over immigration enforcement.
Several local elected officials and candidates attended the event.
Among those in attendance were Bandera County Judge-elect Susan Junker, Sheriff Josh Teitge and County Commissioners Troy Konvicka and Jack Mosley.
County Commissioner candidate Phil Schaefer and Tax Assessor-Collector/ Elections Administrator Andrea Jankowski also attended.
Independent candidate for Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Leah Peterson was also present.
Bandera City Administrator Toni Kunz attended with City Councilwoman Tammie Morrow. Council members DeAnna Mc-Cabe and Debbie Breen and Mayor Denise Griffin also attended.
Local businessman Johnny Boyle attended with his sons, John and Milam Boyle. GOP Precinct 203 Chair Brandi Conover distributed campaign posters and yard signs.
Bandera realtor Cari Rene Leith and Faith and Freedom organizer Vicki Shroyer were also among those attending.
After about an hour, the formal portion of the event concluded, with attendees remaining to speak with the candidates, socialize and take photographs.
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