In keeping with our effort to provide Texans with the information they need to be informed voters, Texas Scorecard made a questionnaire available to those running the State Republican Executive Committee. While we won’t be issuing an endorsement in any of these races, we hope that the responses to these questions will help you decide which man and which woman will best represent your interest on the SREC.
Here are the answers from the Senate District 16 candidates who responded:
Susan Fountain
What are the qualities of a Texas Republican? Why are you one?
Susan Fountain: We are fiscally conservative, vehemently pro-life from the womb to the end of life, protective of our 1st & 2nd Amendments (first & foremost of our Constitutional rights), fighting to protect the rule of law, for free and fair elections, for the good of ALL Texans, and for smaller government. I am all of the above.
Texas has a lot of elected Republican officials. Who do you believe does the best job standing up for the priorities of the Texas GOP? Why?
Susan Fountain: State Senator Bob Hall of SD2. Senator Hall also believes in my answer to Q1 Far too many of our elected Republicans tout that they “reach across the aisle” yet when they extend their hand, they are yanked hard toward the other side. Democrats rarely ever reach out to Republicans. Look at their voting records. This clearly says it all. My first criteria in vetting an incumbent running for re-election is: How often did YOU vote your Party’s platform and prioities?
Some individuals say the current party platform is too long and should be shortened. Do you agree? If so, what portions of the platform would you advocate eliminating?
Susan Fountain: I agree that it is long. However, we must show our stance on every issue because Leftists attack us on every unaddressed front. Our convention platform committee reviews these biennially and makes recommendations on those they feel are not applicable to present needs. If it is felt that some should be eliminated, it is the duty of the body to bring that argument forward and be voted on by the entire body. Until then, apparently they are mostly necessary at this time and serve purpose.
What must be done to ensure the Texas GOP’s legislative priorities are implemented by legislators?
Susan Fountain: Hold on to and increase the Texas House majority in 2020! Redistricting is almost upon us. Hold your elected officials accountable and know their voting records. Ensure that our incumbent candidates have records of adherence to our priorities and platform. Tell them that you support voting a certain way and ask your Republican friends to do so as well, so when they say they vote with their constituents, they mean Republicans. Thank them when they DO. If they haven’t, ask them WHY. If our elected officials don’t vote for Republican priorities in 75-85% of legislation, why are they running as Republicans in the first place? Show me a Democrat who votes with Republicans more than 15-20%. They all support Democrat priorities. We should learn from them.
Why have you decided to run for the SREC?
Susan Fountain: It is my hope to make a difference in our Republican Party of Texas, and I believe that I accomplished this in my first term. My attendance record for Quarterly SREC meetings in my 2 year term is perfect. I have shared information with Republicans in SD16, and I have received information and learned much from them as well. Knowledge is power, and my goal is to ensure that SD16 constituents have tools that they can find useful to make wise choices in electing candidates committed to our cause of keeping Texas RED. I will always vote according to my feedback from SD16 and not my personal beliefs.
