The 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives introduce bills and resolutions, offer amendments and serve on committees. District 23 stretches from El Paso’s Lower Valley through West Texas to San Antonio. U.S. representatives get paid $174,000 per year.
Who’s running for this seat?
Tony Gonzales, a Republican, is the current U.S. representative for District 23. He did not respond to the questionnaire.
Julie Clark, a Republican candidate for U.S. representative for District 23, did not respond to the questionnaire.
Brandon Herrera, a Republican candidate for U.S. representative for District 23, did not respond to the questionnaire.
Frank Lopez Jr, 57, a Republican, is a retired U.S. Border Patrol supervisory agent.
Victor Avila, a Republican candidate for U.S. representative for District 23, did not respond to the questionnaire.
Candidate Questionnaires
Candidates were asked to limit their responses to 100 words. Responses have been lightly edited for grammar.
Tony Gonzales: No response.
Julie Clark: No response.
Brandon Herrera: No response.
Frank Lopez Jr: Violators of U.S. immigration laws must face consequences (criminal and administrative penalties). The federal government must reinstate programs such as Operation Streamline, Expedited Removal and Migrant Protection Protocols.
Victor Avila: No response.
Tony Gonzales: No response.
Julie Clark: No response.
Brandon Herrera: No response.
Frank Lopez Jr: The open border policies of the Biden administration hurt commerce because port of entry personnel are redirected to process people which leads to delays and long waiting lines as well as lane and even bridge closures along the border such as was experienced in Eagle Pass, Texas. These factors are exacerbated because USCBP is chronically understaffed at POEs leading to longer wait times.
Victor Avila: No response.
Tony Gonzales: No response.
Julie Clark: No response.
Brandon Herrera: No response.
Frank Lopez Jr: Appropriations is one of the key duties of Congress. If work is not done prior to the of the fiscal year on time, all members of congress must stay in Washington, DC, and hammer out the work on spending bills until they are completed. Sound fiscal budgetary stewardship is critical but ideology drives a lot of the funding. We should focus on American citizens’ needs first, i.e. veterans, elderly and children.
Victor Avila: No response.
Tony Gonzales: No response.
Julie Clark: No response.
Brandon Herrera: No response.
Frank Lopez Jr: Some basic approaches: Stop sending funds to corrupt officials in other nations. Agencies shouldn’t spend all funds prior to the end of the fiscal year, only to ask for more the next year. Go to a basic federal operational budget set on at least pre-Obama levels. Congress must take a critical look at government-sponsored enterprises & the federal Reserve’s overall involvement. Stop Biden’s war on the energy sector which produces jobs for Texas & a multitude of cottage (feeder) industries.
Victor Avila: No response.
Tony Gonzales: No response.
Julie Clark: No response.
Brandon Herrera: No response.
Frank Lopez Jr: The federal government should enforce laws written by congress. Immigration laws are not being enforced by the Biden administration and the states have a responsibility to state citizens. The situation at the border is costing Texas taxpayers billions because the incentives are huge for continued illegal entries. If the feds won’t put out the fire, the state should.
Victor Avila: No response.
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The post Meet the GOP candidates for U.S. representative in District 23 appeared first on El Paso Matters.
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