A new challenger has stepped into the race for House District 44, attempting to unseat incumbent Republican State Rep. John Kuempel.
Born and raised in the Schertz/Cibolo area, David Freimarck told Texas Scorecard he is gaining support for his campaign in Guadalupe County.
Still, Freimarck referred to himself as an outsider when he spoke about his decision to run for House District 44.
“I am a husband, father, small business owner, and a career procurement professional,” Freimarck said. “In every sense of the word, I am an outsider, but many leaders in Guadalupe County have encouraged me to run because our area is not receiving adequate representation in Austin.”
Freimarck says his primary priority is to support term limits to prevent the hunger for and abuse of power.
“Politics should never be a career and I will do everything in my power to call for term limits on state and federal office holders if elected,” Freimarck told Texas Scorecard.
His other priorities include securing and re-enforcing the southern border, empowering parents, protecting civil liberties, and addressing spending.
As written on his campaign website, “Texas has always stood for hope, freedom, prosperity, and limited government. I am running because Texas must defend itself and we must continue to be the shining city on a hill for those who believe in our values.”
Freimarck’s priorities are closely tied to Republican values. On the other hand, the current state representative of the area has leaned more towards Democrat values.
Earlier this year, Kuempel voted to impeach Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. He also voted against conservative policies and allowed conservative legislation to die before reaching a full House vote.
As Chairman of the House Higher Education Committee, Kuempel killed Senate Bill 16 by Bryan Hughes (R–Mineola) earlier this year, which would have banned Critical Race Theory in universities.
He also killed House Bill 3280 by State Rep. Terri Leo-Wilson (R–Galveston) in his committee, which would have ended taxpayer-subsidized in-state tuition for illegal aliens, by not granting the bill a hearing.
“The good folks of Guadalupe and Gonzales Counties need someone who is not part of the machine,” Freimarck told Texas Scorecard.
Freimarck is the second challenger stepping in to run against Kuempel, joining Lt. Col. Greg Switzer.
As of publication, Kuempel did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s request for comment.