“In free governments, the rulers are the servants, and the people their superiors. For the former to return among the latter was not to degrade but to promote them.” — Benjamin Franklin. 

Putting an end to the revolving door of career politicians who’ve turned public office into a lifelong paycheck is priority number one. Congress was never meant to be a retirement plan but a place of service, not self-preservation. 

Our Founding Fathers feared that when leaders stay in office too long, tyranny would follow. They were right. What we have now is a ruling class, not public servants.

Even Rep. Lance Gooden once supported term limits, warning that extended time in office only deepens ties to special interests and the D.C. swamp. He proposed a three-term limit, yet will be running for term number five!

Travis supports strict term limits to break that cycle and force accountability. He’s not running to build a political career. Instead he’s running to make sure East Texans finally get the honest, no-nonsense representation they deserve. He is committed to serving no more than two terms.

Economic freedom is the foundation of a strong East Texas. Our government should empower, not hinder, the men and women who create jobs, manufacture goods, and work the land. For too long, overregulation and bloated bureaucracy have made it harder for everyday Texans to live out the American Dream.

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They create at least two-thirds of all net new jobs, employ nearly half of all American workers, generate 44% of our GDP, and pay the most in federal income taxes. Meanwhile, big corporations (just one-tenth of one percent of all businesses) often escape their fair share. A 2023 GAO study revealed that 34% of large, profitable corporations paid zero in federal income tax. That’s not just unfair, it’s unsustainable.

Travis is committed to eliminating unnecessary regulations, simplifying the tax code, and unleashing private investment across East Texas. Because when government steps back and lets East Texans do what they do best, work hard, innovate, and provide for their families, everybody wins.

“The people are the only legitimate fountain of power, and it is from them that the constitutional charter, under which the several branches of government hold their power, is derived.”  — James Madison 

Travis knows that Texans don’t need top-down mandates — they need a representative who listens, respects their voice, and acts on their behalf. That’s why his top priority is making sure our district has a seat at the table in Congress, not just a name on a roll call. He believes servant leadership means showing up, listening first, and fighting for the values and priorities of the people back home.

Power belongs in the hands of local communities. Travis will work to shift control away from federal bureaucrats and return it to the counties, towns, and families who live with the consequences of Washington’s decisions.

Travis is committed to an open-door, no-nonsense approach built on respect, transparency, and accountability. He’ll hold regular town halls, stay accessible to constituents, and vote based on what’s right for Texans — not corporate sponsors. He’ll fight to restore the Constitutional Republic our Founders envisioned.

The Internal Revenue Service has become a bloated, unaccountable bureaucracy.

Abolishing the IRS would allow for a complete overhaul of the tax system, replacing it with a simpler, fairer alternative like a flat tax or national sales tax. This would eliminate yearly filings, audits, and invasive income tracking, reduce wasteful spending, restore personal privacy, and eliminate the fear many Americans feel every April.

Ending the IRS is overdue and a step towards restoring our Republic.

Our schools need reform that starts by raising teacher pay, especially in rural districts, and cutting top-heavy administrative costs. The focus must be on students, parents, and teachers, with local curriculum control, spending transparency, and accountable schoolboards.

Travis supports practical skills education like trades, financial literacy, and civics. School vouchers recently passed; this is not good for public schools, especially rural ones. Travis will push back wherever possible to offset the impact on our school system.

Securing our border is essential, but must be lawful and humane. Travis supports strong border enforcement, including increased resources to stop illegal crossings, drug trafficking, and human smuggling.

He also believes immigration must remain legal, orderly, and in line with American values, protecting due process and ensuring fair treatment. We must streamline legal immigration pathways and reduce backlogs. Border security and compassion can coexist. Travis will work for comprehensive reform that strengthens borders, upholds law, and respects human dignity.

Veteran homelessness is a moral failure, one that reflects a disconnect between our nation's values and its actions. As a former combat medic, Travis Edwards has seen firsthand the sacrifices made by those in uniform. He understands that when veterans return home, they should never face life on the streets. It's not enough to say we support our troops; we must show it through decisive, compassionate policy.

Real accountability from the VA, streamlining the benefit process, and ensuring every veteran has timely access to the care and support they've earned is crucial. He will champion expanded rural housing initiatives, mental health services, and effective job training programs that lead to lasting careers not just temporary fixes.

Partnerships with local communities, nonprofits, and shelters are critical. Travis will work to reduce regulations that slow these organizations. If you served this country, this country should serve you.

The federal government has grown far beyond its constitutional limits. It's time to rein in this unchecked expansion by cutting unnecessary bureaucracies like the TSA, which has cost over $100 billion while consistently failing to stop real threats (95% failure rate in a 2015 internal investigation).

Shrinking the federal government restores freedom, returns power to states and people, and reduces federal interference in our daily lives, freeing up resources for local solutions.

Empowering small businesses is key to rebuilding a strong and self-reliant economy. By eliminating burdensome regulations, simplifying the tax code, and cutting red tape, we can create an environment where entrepreneurs can innovate, hire, and grow without being crushed by federal mandates. When government gets out of the way,  Main Street thrives.

Shrinking the federal government restores freedom, returns power to states and people, and reduces federal interference in our daily lives, freeing up resources for local solutions.

The national debt, over $36 trillion and growing, is a ticking time bomb. We spend over a trillion annually on interest alone – money that could secure borders, rebuild infrastructure, or care for veterans. Career politicians from both parties caused this by abandoning fiscal discipline.

For example, Lance Gooden's office spent nearly $379,000 in taxpayer-funded travel between January 2023 and March 2024, more than any other House member and five times the average. He also reimbursed himself over $280,000 from his campaign for expenses. We must hold our own side accountable. Americans deserve better than politicians who talk conservative and spend like liberals.