As some colleges and organizations around the state continue to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations, Texas Scorecard reached out to all of the Republican candidates in the runoff election for the state Legislature to ask whether they would support legislation that prohibits vaccine mandates.
During the previous legislative session, Texas lawmakers passed a law banning vaccine passports (showing vaccination status to enter a business). However, they failed to pass any legislation prohibiting vaccine mandates—particularly by employers.
Citizens and legislators across the state continue demanding that Gov. Greg Abbott call a fourth special session to prohibit vaccine mandates in the state.
Senate District 24
Raul Reyes: “Unlike my opponent, Pete Flores, I have repeatedly called on Gov. Abbott and Lt. .Gov Dan Patrick to call a special session to legislate against unconstitutional vaccine mandates. Both have failed to do enough to defend Texas from Biden’s overreaching federal autocrats who, through the CDC and NIH, continue trying to control Texans’ health freedoms.
“As your next senator, I would support legislation prohibiting vaccine mandates. It’s a top item on our list of priorities.”
Pete Flores: “I have never supported government COVID vaccine mandates. Mandating a new vaccine, without thorough testing, and compelling citizens to accept the vaccine is not appropriate. Private business and employers can make their own decisions, but a government mandate is wrong.”
House District 12
Neither Ben Bius nor Kyle Kacal responded to Texas Scorecard’s inquiry.
House District 17
Paul Pape: “With the most recent position of the CDC on COVID 19, it seems inappropriate for colleges to still be mandating vaccines. If elected to the Legislature, I will support legislation prohibiting vaccine mandates in public educational institutions in Texas.”
Stan Gerdes did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s inquiry.
House District 19
Ellen Troxclair: “Yes, absolutely. In fact, I am the only candidate in this race that has taken the Texans for Vaccine Choice pledge against vaccine mandates.”
Justin Berry did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s inquiry.
House District 23
Terri Leo-Wilson: “Yes, I support legislation prohibiting vaccine mandates. I am the only candidate in the runoff that supports medical freedom and has signed the pledge with Texans for Vaccine Choice.”
Patrick Gurski did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s inquiry.
House District 52
Caroline Harris: “Yes. I have signed the Texans for Vaccine Choice Pledge against vaccine mandates, and in the Texas Senate, I worked on legislation for Senator Bryan Hughes to prohibit vaccine mandates.”
Patrick McGuinness: “I oppose vaccine mandates. Nobody should lose their job or be denied an education over a vaccine.”
House District 60
Mike Olcott: “Yes, I support a prohibition on vaccine mandates in Texas. I believe that an individual has the fundamental right to make his or her own healthcare decisions. If elected, one of my top priorities is to pass a bill that unequivocally bans vaccine mandates so no Texan is ever fired for not being vaccinated.”
Glenn Rogers did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s inquiry.
House District 61
Paul Chabot: “Yes I would. In fact, I canceled my fraternity 25-year reunion at a college because they would have required us to show shot records. I told them to get back in touch when they have ended that ‘plan.’”
Frederick Frazier: “I will lead and support legislation prohibiting mandates!”
House District 63
Jeff Younger: “I support legislation prohibiting vaccine mandates. I also support an amendment to the Texas Constitution recognizing our right to medical freedom.”
Ben Bumgarner did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s inquiry.
House District 70
Eric Bowlin: “I am absolutely opposed to any and all vaccine mandates in Texas. Any vaccine mandate is a violation of the medical freedom principles that Texas conservatives should be dedicated to preserving and defending.”
Jamee Jolly did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s inquiry.
House District 73
Carrie Isaac: “I absolutely would support legislation prohibiting vaccine mandates. I am the only candidate in the race for HD 73 that has signed the Texans for Vaccine Choice protection pledge. However, my opponent, as mayor of New Braunfels, made Dr. Fauci proud by mandating that churches and businesses close their doors. Barron Casteel stated, “I am not aware of communities in Texas that have employed a stricter set of [COVID-19] rules,” and he “hoped residents would look back one day at the impending crisis and say the city overreacted.” I believe in individual liberty and personal responsibility and will fight against unconstitutional mandates.”
Barron Casteel did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s inquiry.
House District 84
David Glasheen: “Yes, I have pledged to end vaccine mandates.”
Carl Tepper did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s inquiry.
House District 85
Phil Stephenson: “Yes, I absolutely support prohibiting vaccine mandates for COVID-19 or any related ‘medical emergencies’. If nothing else, we need to set a precedent because I think what we experienced these past two years was perhaps the tip of the iceberg. After the windfall of cash to big medicine, the incentive to conjure up some new emergency is certainly there. I regret to say that, but I believe it to be true. We now have a medical-industrial-government complex, so to speak. I was for prohibiting vaccine mandates across the board last session, and my position hasn’t changed.”
Stan Kitzman: “Absolutely. I will fight against vaccine mandates and ‘passports,’ especially when used as political coercion and discrimination in the workplace. A Texan’s medical freedom for themselves and their families is to be protected.”
House District 91
David Lowe: “I will fiercely combat any attempts to place COVID vaccine mandates on any Texans. And, unlike my opponent, I will never take money from Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, or any medical manufacturers who might seek to influence my decision-making in that area.”
Stephanie Klick did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s inquiry.
House District 93
Laura Hill: “Yes, I will support legislation prohibiting vaccine mandates.”
Nate Schatzline: “If elected to the Legislature, I would do everything in my power to combat vaccine mandates. Vaccine mandates are unconstitutional, and no government entity, business, or organization should be able to require an individual to take an experimental drug just to continue to take part with them. This is a violation of medical freedom.”
House District 122
Neither Mark Dorazio nor Elisa Chan responded to Texas Scorecard’s inquiry.
House District 133
Shelley Torian Barineau: “I support legislation prohibiting vaccine mandates, because our freedoms allow Texans the right to make healthcare decisions for themselves and their families. Texans must have the right to exemptions from immunizations for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. That said, Texas must commit to have vaccines available in full supply for all Texans who want to be vaccinated.”
Mano DeAyala: “I am against vaccine mandates.”
