Having served as a Marine Corps officer in Iraq and a staunch conservative in the Texas Legislature for eight years, State Sen. Van Taylor has proven false the mantra preached by establishment Republicans—that, in order to govern, Republicans must abandon conservative principles.
Since his election to the Texas Legislature, Van Taylor has been one of Texas’ most conservative legislators, all while consistently being one of the most effective members of the Texas Legislature.
While in the Texas House, Van Taylor authored legislation reworking a decades-old statute which previously made it nearly impossible for active military personnel to vote if they were serving abroad.
In the Texas Senate, Van Taylor continued fighting for his constituents, passing legislation to close loopholes protecting teachers and administrators who are accused of sexual misconduct, and divesting state government contracts from terrorism-sponsoring states like Iran and Sudan.
Van Taylor has also been one of the most strident advocates for property tax and ethics reform in the Texas Legislature. But ethics isn’t just a matter of policy for Van Taylor, it is a virtue he demonstrates in his conduct. I would know, as I had the distinct honor of interning in his office and saw him lead by example, requiring every employee to act beyond reproach.
I’d proudly vote for Sen. Taylor for re-election, but I can’t.
For some reason, Van isn’t running; instead, he’s asking voters to send him to the D.C. Swamp! Why he—or anyone else, for that matter—would willingly go to Washington, I can’t begin to understand.
But this much I do know: Once elected to Congress, Van Taylor will be a servant leader that Texans can be proud of, one who will fight to ensure Congress keeps its promises to govern reliably, ethically, and conservatively.
While I’m sad to see Van leave Texas, I’m proud that he isn’t leaving the fight; I hope you’ll join me in voting for him this November.
A “Taxpayer Champion” in each of his four sessions in the Texas Legislature, Van Taylor is the Republican nominee for Texas’ 3rd Congressional District.
