Siegel for 7th District
Former Bellaire Mayor Cindy Siegel knew she was in for a fight even before President Donald Trump tweeted his endorsement of a rival in the 7th Congressional District Republican primary.
“It’s going to be tough,” she said. “But primaries can be won at the grassroots, and none of the other candidates has the breadth and depth of my experience and understanding of the district.”
Siegel, 65, spent six years on the Bellaire City Council before serving as mayor from 2004 to 2012. She followed that with seven years on the Metropolitan Transit Authority board. At the same time, she continued operating her accounting firm with a clientele drawn from the area and serving in local GOP organizations.
“I think that puts me more in tune with the concerns of the average residents in the district,” she said.
As mayor, she helped Bellaire upgrade streets and drainage while improving or adding parks. She also led the city through hurricanes Rita and Ike and said she decided to stay on for a fourth term to deal with the issues surrounding the police shooting of unarmed Robbie Tolan.
Siegel and five other GOP candidates are vying for the chance to recapture the
House seat that unexpectedly flipped to Democrats in 2018 when Lizzie Fletcher upset nine-term Republican incumbent John Culberson, 52.5 percent to 47.5 percent.
The 2020 Republican field includes Wesley Hunt, a West Point graduate who retired after more than 20 years in the Army and is making his first run for elected office.
Hunt launched his campaign with the backing of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and picked up Trump's endorsement less than a week before early voting began.
“Wesley is strong on Crime, the Border, our 2nd Amendment, Trade, Military and Vets. Wesley has my Complete and Total Endorsement!” Trump wrote Feb. 12 on Twitter
Siegel and Hunt both support the president's agenda, including border security and lower taxes. And both criticize Congress for failing to limit spending and reduce the deficit.
They each list flood control and supporting the energy industry as priorities.
Both are strong candidates, but Siegel's experience gives her the edge.