Texas District 1 State Representative
INCUMBENT GARY VANDEAVER
What is your primary concern for District 1?
My primary concern for HD 1 is that its residents can live their lives and raise their families in the manner they choose without government overreach. Our governments – federal, state and local – should enact policies that help people and not micromanage their lives.
Where do you stand on border security?
I 100% support what the state of Texas is doing to secure our southern border stepping in where the Biden administration has failed and turned our border with Mexico into a war zone. Texas is being invaded, and we have every right to defend ourselves. Last year, I voted to increase funding for border security by over $5 billion to stem the flow of illegal immigrants entering Texas. If Biden won’t stop this, Texas will.
What will you do for small businesses in District 1?
Small businesses are the lifeblood of our local communities. We need to ease their tax burdens and government mandates so they prosper and contribute to the growth and stability of their communities. As small businesses thrive, local communities become vibrant and attractive places to live where people want to work and raise their families.
Rural Texas is withering away. The state must provide resources to turn this trend around so people have access to health care, public safety, jobs and good schools. Without these things, people will continue leaving rural communities heading to the big cities. If that happens, a lot of what makes Texas, Texas, will disappear. We cannot let that happen and stop neglecting these communities.
What is your stance on education issues?
My No. 1 goal for education is that students receive the best education possible. We must have dedicated caring teachers who are there to help them. We need to pay teachers as the professionals that they are; they shape our future; our way of life cannot continue without
them. Educating our children is teamwork. Parents and educators must together.
I was honored to author House Bill 8, last year, to update funding and programming for our community colleges. Beginning in high schools, students will have more opportunities to get on a career path leading to well-paying jobs and careers. Community colleges are a vital part of our state’s education system, and HB 8 makes it easier for Texans to earn degrees and credentials of value for their futures.
A child’s education should not be determined by their zip codes. Funding for education is the largest share of the state budget. Those resources combined with local funds must provide each child educational programs and services so they can reach their dreams of a bright future. Doing anything less than preparing our kids for their best futures as productive, caring citizens is not acceptable. Educated children are our future, and we owe it to them to make it the best one possible.
What are your goals for property taxes?
In 2023, the legislature approved the largest property tax cut in state history. Most of that cut benefited homeowners. Our next challenge is to ensure businesses also have a fair property tax system allowing them to grow, prosper and continue making Texas the No. 1 place to live and work.
CHRIS SPENCER
What is your primary concern for District 1?
My number one concern for Texas House District 1 is to maintain the unique quality of life that makes our part of Texas so special. In order to do that, we must keep our communities safe and fight back against the border invasion that has spilled its way into Northeast Texas. We also must fight back against the radical woke agenda that is invading our culture, our schools, and our sacred institutions. We must maintain the high quality of our schools and pay our teachers like the professionals they are. Finally, we must ensure that our cost of living is affordable and home ownership attainable.
Where do you stand on border security?
Our state and nation are under invasion and we must repel it. Governor Abbott understands that if Joe Biden won’t secure our Southern Border, Texas must, and he is utilizing every resource available to do so. I stand with Governor Abbott and he stands with me. I am honored to have his endorsement, and his complete and total support. I look forward to working hand-inhand with Governor Abbott and President Donald Trump to address this national security crisis.
What will you do for small businesses in District 1?
As small business owners, Debbie and I understand the difficulties small businesses face. Unnecessary government regulations and mandates, outrageous taxes, and frivolous lawsuits cost jobs and raise costs for consumers. As State Representative, I will push back against these bureaucratic impediments that stifle competition, and, instead unleash the power of the free market ingenuity. When it comes to small businesses, government needs to get the heck out of the way so we can create new jobs and opportunities!
What is your stance on education issues?
There is no more precious resource than our school children because they will be the leaders of tomorrow. As a proud product of Northeast Texas public schools, I know how important they are to our communities, our state, and our nation. We must keep our public schools strong and vibrant and our public-school teachers well paid. That being said, the COVID-19
Pandemic highlighted that a onesize-fits all education system no longer works for everyone and we must empower parents to make the best educational choices for their children. I fully support that.
What are your goals for property taxes?
I will fight to make the recent property tax cut signed into law by Governor Abbott permanent and will work to reform our appraisal district system so that our elected officials can no longer continue to play a shell game where they lower the property tax rate, but appraisals continue to skyrocket and property taxes continue to increase. We must cap both tax rates and appraisal increases in order for Texans to see real tax relief and I will fight to see that happens.
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DALE HULS
What is your primary concern for District 1?
My primary focus for House District 1 revolves around addressing the ongoing issue of external agencies encroaching on our land. Foremost among these concerns is the proposed Marvin Nichols Reservoir project, driven by the Dallas metroplex. Additionally, the proliferation of solar farms and the impending windmill project in the western part of our district are alarming developments. Our district, defined by its wealth in land, livestock, and crops, faces the threat of losing its God-given resources for generations to come. I pledge to explore legislative avenues to curb these land acquisitions and protect our community’s heritage.
Where do you stand on border security?
If Texas border security stands as your paramount concern, then I am the candidate you need in the state legislature. For over a dozen years, I’ve served as a Texas Border volunteer, diligently reporting illegal border crossings from fence lines, pipelines, and ranch roads. My commitment extends beyond mere observation—i’ve conducted presentations on border security and human trafficking statewide, and I even dedicated three months as a federal volunteer at the Rio Grande Central Processing Center to firsthand understand federal government operations. My track record speaks for itself—i’ve authored more border security legislation than our current representative (such as the 84th, SB 1254 carried by Sen. Hall) and consistently encouraged the Governor and Attorney General to bolster border security measures over the years. Please go to my website (www.hulsinthehouse.com) for more details on border security and my legislative priorities agenda.
What will you do for small businesses in District 1?
I’m committed to simplifying regulatory demands and lowering taxes that hinder the growth and success of small businesses within our communities. Furthermore, I aim to pursue legislative measures addressing access to affordable healthcare and reducing insurance expenses, easing the burden on both employers and their workers.
What is your stance on education issues?
Today, the “school choice” debate reflects contrasting views on education governance and parental empowerment. While some focus on resource distribution and accountability in government-run schools, others champion parental choice and innovation. While I am for parental choice, we must also address complex challenges beyond this debate, from supporting teachers to ensuring student well-being. Our educational reform agenda prioritizes these issues, amplifying the voices of teachers, parents, and students to meet the evolving demands of modern education. Let’s deliver a high-quality, inclusive education for all Texans, honoring our constitutional founders’ vision and securing a brighter tomorrow. Please go to my website (www.hulsinthehouse. com) for more details on my conservative education reform agenda.
What are your goals for District 1 property taxes?
My objectives regarding property taxes are straightforward: I aim to abolish them entirely. Wealth taxes, disguised as property tax, are fundamentally unjust. Among the various proposals to eliminate property taxes in Texas, I will advocate for the most efficient plan to swiftly put an end to this unjust system.