I believe that in Hays County there is real value in experience and in the wisdom gained from fighting for Democratic values, but it is our future leaders who will ultimately take up this mantle and carry that legacy forward. As someone who has fought for these principles as a community member, a public servant, and now as a candidate, I see my values as closely aligned with those of the Hays Young Democrats, and I am committed to advancing them on the Hays County Commissioners Court. Equality for all, inclusivity, and standing up for those most marginalized are not just ideals to me, but work I have carried out as a school board trustee in one of the most diverse school districts in the state, and will continue to carry these out if I have the privilege to serve.

Raised in South Texas, I am the grandson of an immigrant woman who came to the United States in search of a better life. I am also the son of a combat veteran and a nurse. My education is in political science, and I earned my master’s degree in this field at Texas State University. Today, I reside in Eastern Kyle with my family, and I currently serve as Vice President of the Hays CISD School Board, one of the fastest-growing districts in the state, one of the largest employers in Hays County, and a district with a budget even larger than that of Hays County. I have also volunteered with the Hays County Food Bank, the Central Texas Food Bank, Hays Cares, the Hays County Historical Commission, and the Kyle Radio Board.

If I have the honor to serve, I will work to improve roadways throughout my precinct. These roads have been neglected for far too long, and the rapid growth we are experiencing is creating serious congestion and safety concerns. I plan to take a targeted approach that prioritizes the roadways most in need of repair. I believe these improvements can and should be made while preserving our natural resources, including our water, through a balanced and responsible approach. Secondly, I hope to do all I can as a county commissioner to address affordability in our county, beginning with housing. Housing is a critical social determinant that affects many aspects of residents’ lives, including the physical and mental well-being of families. I hope to continue strong partnerships and expand access to rental and utility assistance for our most vulnerable residents. We must also ensure that employees who work for Hays County departments are earning a living wage. Hays County can do better in this area, and we must also ensure there are no gender-based pay inequities, as women deserve to be paid fairly. Lastly, I want to strengthen our emergency response readiness. This is especially important at a time when the federal government is reducing funding and staff for agencies such as FEMA. We must be prepared for future natural disasters and ready to respond when our community needs us most.

That’s a tough question. If I had to choose just one, it would be “Immigrant Song” by Led Zeppelin. My musical tastes are wide-ranging, but as a former lead singer in a touring rock band, it was classic rock that first truly lit a fire in me musically. This song, in particular, still hits hard, and it’s difficult to find one that brings the same level of energy and intensity.

What is happening in Hays County, across our state, and around the country is deeply troubling. The actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are antithetical to the rule of law and to the principles upon which this country was founded. Now, our Governor is mandating, through legislation, that local sheriff’s departments, including here in Hays County, act as immigration officers.

To be clear, our local law enforcement officers and their limited resources should be spent protecting Hays County residents, not carrying out the work of the federal government, especially when that work denies people due process. Local governments across our county, state, and nation are dealing with the repercussions of ICE’s actions. Many members of our immigrant community, and even American citizens who look like me, are living in fear because of the images we see and the stories we hear. That fear is present in our schools as well, including within Hays CISD.

As a school board trustee, my fellow trustees and I chose to respond, not with silence, but with action. I was proud to co-sponsor a resolution affirming that all students, regardless of immigration status, are welcome and valued in Hays CISD. Along with that resolution, we provided clear guidance for staff and immigrant families on what to do if ICE were to appear on a campus.

Some viewed this as controversial, particularly because we were the first local governing body to pass such a resolution following the reelection of Donald Trump. I fully support our local law enforcement and have worked alongside them to help secure our campuses. But ICE is not operating as a traditional law enforcement agency. It is being used as a political tool—one that seeks to intimidate and terrorize communities to achieve political ends.

Without local elected representatives controlling how collected data is used, including automatic license plate readers (ALPRs), public trust in the process cannot exist. As an elected school board member, we do not use such technology on our campuses, although these tools could be employed by law enforcement to identify threats to our campuses off site. However, speaking more broadly, we must consider these technologies in the context of our country today, where we have a president that is hellbent on using federal power to pursue agendas that may not align with the public interest. Local governments must guard against misuse of this power.

Even if Democrats win congress or the presidency in the future, the fact remains: without clear safeguards, processes, and oversight, we cannot simply trust technology companies to handle sensitive data responsibly. However, I understand the safety concerns of many of our residents in my community. As a father of two, I believe we want every tool available to apprehend criminals. Yet, we must balance this need with transparency and accountability.

I strongly support our local law enforcement and have worked closely with them to keep school campuses safe through SRO programs. I deeply appreciate the work they do every day to protect our residents. But to maintain public trust, we must ensure that the use of these technologies is accompanied by clear oversight over such technologies, which will grow more sophisticated in the future.

AI data centers in communities across the country have been shown to raise energy costs while creating few jobs for local residents. While these facilities are often promoted as job creators, the evidence shows that beyond construction, they do not deliver the hundreds of positions promised.

At the same time, as the cost of living rises for working families, it is difficult to justify building a data center that drives up energy prices, making life more expensive for local residents. In Hays County, where our water resources are precious, these facilities also contribute to the depletion of our aquifers. Development should benefit the people of our county, but data centers consume significant resources while providing minimal local employment.

It is true that data centers provide essential digital infrastructure and can attract businesses. However, as a county, we must begin exploring localized solutions that support technology and economic growth without depleting our natural resources or burdening working residents.

What has happened in Palestine is nothing short of tragic. The indiscriminate bombing of innocent civilians, including women and children, amounts to acts that many have rightly called genocidal, carried out by a Prime Minister seeking to preserve power. I also believe that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be held accountable for his actions and face justice through international courts.

At the same time, we must acknowledge the horrific attacks of October 7, 2023, in which festival-goers, simply enjoying music, were brutally targeted by Hamas. The world watched in horror, and both of these events represent actions contrary to fundamental human rights. In addition, we must call out those who promote anti-semitism or Islamophobia around the world. Let us speak out against all forms of hate, wherever it arises.

As members of the global community, including those of us here in Hays County, we have a responsibility to speak out against injustice wherever it occurs, and to uphold the principles of human rights for all.