ELECTION GUIDE
GLEN ROSE REPORTER & YOURGLENROSETX.COM | Thursday, February 13, 2014 | PAGE C18
Ray to Republicans: I am
ready to fight the fight AMANDA KIMBLE
news@theglenrosereporter.com
Howard Ray told Somervell County Republican Club he is not a politician. “I just want to be a servant,” Ray said, adding his bid for state representative district 59 is about a “need.” He is one of three candidates in the race for district 59. He will face incumbent J.D. Sheffield and Erath County’s Danny Pelton in
the March 4 Republican primary. “I ask you to consider sending someone to Austin who is not in a grudge match or a fight over who is better,” Ray said in his address. He is an Army veteran and native Texan. He was born in Andrews in 1980. Following his high school graduation, he joined the Texas Army National Guard at age 17. Ray joined the United States Army following the terror attacks of Sept. 11,
2001. He was assigned to the 1st Calvary Division at Food Hood, and at one point fought in Operation Iraqi Freedom. “It was there that I learned that being a leader is not just something you talk about, but is something you must do daily,” Ray said. In late 2009, Ray was at Fort Hood again, after returning about a year-anda-half earlier. His building complex came under fire Nov. 5, 2009.
Nidal Malik Hasan, an Army major, fatally wounded 13 individuals, but Ray took lifesaving actions. “I was one of those there,” he told the Somervell County crowd at the Feb. 6 political forum. “I was given an award for saving nine people’s lives, but that was something that should have never happened, something our political system allowed to happen.” Ray said he could have taken a shot at Hasan and could have hit the target, but
his holster was empty. He was not allowed to carry his weapon. The shooting led Ray to create a pro-liberty organization — Survivors of Gun Violence Against Gun Control — and petition all 150 state representatives and 17 senators to support pro-gun legislation. “It was because I have desire to do what is best for the people, not because of selfish ambition,” Ray said. Speaking to what he
Howard Ray called “pivotal issues,” Ray said he supports Second Amendment rights, and the people of district 59 deserve someone who has “literally and figuratively fought in the trenches going to Austin because it is the right thing to do.” He also spoke to water concerns and infrastructure issues before making the final appeal to voters to “send someone willing to fight that fight and make those things happen.”
District 59 rep seeks re-election Pelton seeks voter support Special to the GRR
By the J.D. Sheffield campaign
Dr. J.D. Sheffield is a family physician, not a career politician. A country doctor for 21 years, Dr. Sheffield has devoted his life’s work to caring for families in Texas. He was elected state representative in 2012. Serving District 59, Dr. Sheffield puts families and communities first. After taking office, he voluntarily turned down any state pension for his service because he believes this job is about serving the people – not a pension or a paycheck. In his first term in office, Dr. Sheffield earned a reputation as a common sense, straight-talking conservative who does not play insider political games. He is a strong voice for rural values and way of life. That may not sit well with insid-
ers, ideologues or special interests, but the families of District 59 deserve nothing less. As state representative, Dr. Sheffield supported a balanced budget that protected the state’s Rainy Day Fund and held state spending below the rate of inflation and population growth, while also cutting taxes by $1.36 billion. He was awarded the “Business Champion Award” by the Texas Association of Business for his strong support of free enterprise and job creation. Dr. Sheffield believes Obamacare and the liberal policies of the Obama Administration are among the most serious problems that face Texas families today. As a doctor, he has seen the disasters of Obamacare and is working to protect Texas families through a “Texas solution” that stops federal
intrusion into our health care. He also voted to ban Obama’s liberal public school curriculum from Texas schools and voted to protect the religious liberty of Texas teachers and schoolchildren. Dr. Sheffield holds a concealed handgun license and is 100 percent pro-gun. He helped to pass several new laws that will protect gun rights, including protecting gun shows from liberal attacks. He is supported by the Conservative Roundtable of Texas for his efforts to defend American values and freedom. Working with fellow Republicans, Dr. Sheffield helped pass one of the strongest new pro-life laws in Texas, ending abortions after the fifth month of pregnancy and promoting a culture of life in Texas. For
Special to the GRR Danny Pelton campaign
J.D. Sheffield his efforts, he was named a “pro-life champion” and endorsed by the state’s most influential pro-life advocacy organization, the Texas Alliance for Life. Dr. Sheffield is also proud of his work passing a new state water plan that secures our water supply for the next 50 years. He carries the support of the Texas Farm Bureau as a strong advocate for Texas agriculture and rural values. Politics today is too often full of sound bites, halftruths and attacks by people who are more interested in winning office than getting anything done. Dr. J.D. Sheffield is a Texas conservative who wants to keep our part of Texas a great place to live, work, and raise a family. That passion for service is why he is seeking a second term as our no-nonsense, conservative representative.
Erath County Republican Danny Pelton is running for the Texas House, saying he is “very concerned about the lack of conservative representation” in District 59. “The incumbent says he is opposed to Obamacare, yet he advocated for Medicaid expansion — the centerpiece of Obamacare — throughout the 83rd Legislative Session,” Pelton said. “I have two letters from Texas legislators calling for the repeal, defunding or control of Obamacare and the incumbent signed neither.” Pelton believes the role of government is limited with the most critical functions being public safety, infrastructure and education. He contends State Rep. J.D. Sheffield doesn’t stand for the same principles. “The incumbent had the opportunity to shift a $6.5 million increase in funding from the Texas Commission on the Arts to the Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Fund, and he voted NO!” Pelton
Danny Pelton said. “House leadership wanted the arts funding for their fat-cat donors in Dallas and Houston. The incumbent was rewarded for sticking with leadership with a $25,000 donation from the House Leadership Fund.” “I have been endorsed by every major conservative organization in Texas,” Pelton said. “I serve as an elected member of the State Republican Executive Committee. I am ‘A’ rated by the NRA and the TSRA. I am staunchly pro-life and will fight to protect life from conception until natural death. “I know that conservatism works! I will fight for our conservative principles in Austin.”
Jeff Harris, candidate for county/district clerk, is ready to retire from the education sector and take his skills to the county annex.