Texas House District 64 is currently represented by four-term incumbent State Rep. Lynn Stucky (R–Sanger), who is being challenged for the seat.
Stucky will face Andy Hopper in a primary runoff election later this month.
Lynn Stucky
Stucky is a veterinarian in Denton County who was first elected to the state legislature in 2016. Prior to that, he was a local school board trustee for 15 years. During the most recent legislative session, Stucky earned an “F” rating of 57 from Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, an 81 from the Young Conservatives of Texas, and a 100 from Texas Right to Life.
According to Transparency USA, Stucky’s campaign has just over $260,000 in on-hand cash finances. His top two contributors are Texans for Lawsuit Reform and House Speaker Dade Phelan, who contributed $309,904 and $155,950, respectively.
Stucky has been endorsed by Gov. Greg Abbott, Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC, Texas Values Action, and the NRA.
Andy Hopper
Hopper is a software engineer, co-founder of Wise County Conservatives, and Chief Warrant Officer in the Texas State Guard.
According to Transparency USA, Hopper’s campaign has $44,512 cash on hand and has received $393,119 in total contributions. His largest contributor is Texans United for a Conservative Majority PAC.
Hopper’s endorsements include U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller. He has also received endorsements from organizations including Texas Home School Coalition, Gun Owners of America, Texas Right to Life, True Texas Project, and Grassroots America: We The People.
The Issues
Over the past few weeks, Texas Scorecard asked all House runoff election candidates several questions important to voters as they head to the polls later this month.
Stucky did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s inquiries.
Regarding where each candidate stands on the practice of positions of leadership being held by Democrats and whether or not it should be banned, Hopper stated, “I support banning this practice with every fiber of my being. Continuing this practice ensures that the voices of Texas conservatives are silenced by a uniparty coalition of dems and squishy Republicans who will always choose a member from the far left wing of the Republican Caucus and repay dems for their fealty by awarding them powerful leadership positions that allow them to work against the will of Texans.”
“We should never be putting the minority party in charge of anything,” Hopper recently told Chris Salcedo. “Democrats wouldn’t.”
On whether or not candidates would support a “Contract With Texas” to end “liberal dysfunction” in the House, Hopper said, “I am proud to sign onto the Contract for Texas, which will rightfully return power back to House members and put Texans back in the driver’s seat rather than the Speaker.”
Runoff candidates were also questioned on protecting citizens’ Second Amendment rights. Hopper said, “Texans have a God-given right to self-defense” and cited his endorsement from Gun Owners of America and his AQ rating from the NRA.
When asked what he believes should be done to ensure election security, Hopper said, “First, genuinely secure elections require a secure border to help ensure only citizens can vote. Beyond that, I support abandoning opaque and hackable machines, mandating regular universal purging of voter rolls, protecting Texas elections from unconstitutional Federal meddling and interference, limiting early voting, and requiring counties to be transparent to voters and candidates.”
Regarding supporting a school choice program, as proposed during the last legislative session by Gov. Greg Abbott, Hopper said, “Absolutely. On March 5th, 80% of Wise and 79% of Denton (R) voters expressed their will that school funding should follow the student. If elected to represent HD64, I will be looking forward to working with Gov. Abbott and House conservatives to get school choice over the finish line in the 89th.”
Stucky did support Abbott’s school choice plan last year, earning him an endorsement from the governor.
Regarding expanding gambling and sports betting in Texas, Hopper replied, “No—I completely concur with plank #79 of the Texas Republican Party Platform.”
On whether or not the state of Texas should ban ownership of agricultural land or natural resources by governments or individuals that the federal government has designated as national security threats, Hopper stated, “Texas should absolutely ban the sale of Texas land and resources to enemies of our country. Further, the Texas Legislature should establish a process to condemn and auction land and resources currently in the hands of the CCP, Iran, North Korea, etc.”
Candidates were also asked about what more the state can do to solve the crisis at the southern border.
Hopper said, “Texas should pass 88R/HB20 or preferably a similar bill that expands the Texas Military Forces from 25,000 to at least 50,000 troops, creating a permanent force assigned to the southern border. The Texas Legislature should require the Governor to provide suitable rules of engagement to deter and repel all illegal border crossings and authorize the use of force against cartels. Further, the State of Texas should secure operational control over the entire border by condemning all federal land along the border, and prevent access to the border by any federal authorities who would otherwise aid and assist the flow of illegals into the United States.”
Election Day
The primary runoff election will take place on Tuesday, May 28. Early voting takes place from Monday, May 20, to Friday, May 24.
The winner of the Republican runoff election for House District 64 will face Democrat Angela Brewer in the November general election.
