Continuing with our coverage of new Members of Congress, this week we profile new Members from South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas.
The sole new Member of Congress from South Dakota is Republican Rep. Dusty Johnson in the state's only congressional district. Rep. Johnson replaced Rep. Kristi Noem, who was elected governor. He has significant policy and political experience, having worked for different governors and as the state's public utilities commissioner, and as a businessman. He also previously worked at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
In Tennessee, Republican Tim Burchett was elected in the state's Second Congressional District to succeed Republican Rep. Jimmy Duncan, who did not seek re-election. Rep. Burchett previously served in the state legislature and as a mayor. In the state's Sixth Congressional District, Republican John Rose replaced Rep. Diane Black, who unsuccessfully ran for governor. Rep. Rose previously served as the state's Agriculture Commissioner, and also owns and led a software company that trains IT professionals. On the campaign trail, he talked about the importance of education decisions taking place at the local level.
Also in Tennessee, in the state's Seventh Congressional District, Republican Mark Green replaced Republican Marsha Blackburn, who was elected to the senate. Rep. Green, a doctor, previously served in the state legislature, ran a health care company, and is a veteran. On the campaign trail, he spoke about completely abolishing the U.S. Department of Education. On the senate side, Republican Marshal Blackburn succeeded Republican Sen. Bob Corker, who chose not to seek re-election. Blackburn previously served as a member of the House of Representatives and as a state senator, and she earned her undergraduate degree in home economics. On the campaign trail, she advocated for returning education oversight to the states.
In Texas, nine new Members of Congress were elected. In the state's Second Congressional District, Republican Dan Crenshaw replaced Rep. Ted Poe, who chose not to seek re-election. Rep. Crenshaw spent his career as a Navy SEAL, and earned several prestigious distinctions for his military service. In the state's Third Congressional District, Republican Van Taylor succeeded Republican Rep. Sam Johnson, who did not seek re-election. Rep. Taylor is a veteran and former state legislator. His website lists his education platform as focusing on reducing the federal bureaucracy to return education power to state and local governments.
In Texas' Fifth Congressional District, Republican Lance Gooden replaced Republican Rep. Jeb Hensarling, who did not seek re-election. Rep. Gooden, previously a state legislator and the son of lifelong educators, touts his time in state government for his efforts to increase public and higher education funding. In the Sixth Congressional District, Republican Ron Wright replaced Republican Rep. Joe Barton, who did not seek re-election. Rep. Wright previously served as a city councilman, mayor, and chief of staff for Rep. Barton. On the campaign trail he pledged to minimize the federal government's interference with parental rights and state/local education programs.
In Texas' Seventh Congressional District, Democrat Lizzie Fletcher defeated Republican Rep. John Culberson. A lawyer by trade, during her campaign Fletcher advocated for ensuring all schools offer a STEM curriculum "that helps build the skills our students need for the jobs of the future." She also pledged to address college affordability and to expand community colleges and "access to technical and vocational programs." In the Sixteenth Congressional District, Democrat Veronica Escobar replaced Democratic Rep. Beto O'Rourke, who did not seek re-election. Rep. Escobar previously served as a county commissioner and judge. She also previously taught at El Paso Community College. In the State's Twenty-First Congressional District, Republican Roy Chip replaced Republican Rep. Lamar Smith, who did not seek re-election. Rep. Chip has extensive experience in government and politics, and also served as a U.S. Attorney.
In Texas' Twenty-Ninth Congressional District, Democrat Sylvia Garcia replaced Democratic Rep. Gene Green, who did not seek re-election. Rep. Garcia had extensive experience in local government before being elected to the state legislature. Lastly, in the Thirty-Second Congressional District, Democrat Colin Allred defeated Republican Rep. Pete Sessions. Rep. Allred is a former professional football player and attorney who served in the Obama Administration and U.S. Attorney's office. On the campaign trail, he pledged to "[b]olster vocational and apprenticeship programs, and work toward debt-free college." He also supports student loan debt refinancing and upgrading public school infrastructure.
You can find the seventh edition of new Member profiles here. Stay tuned for next week's final recap of New Members of Congress, which will cover Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and West Virginia.
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