TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
What do you see as the biggest challenges facing District 1, and what would be your top legislative priorities if elected? My top priorities, which I believe overlap with the biggest challenges we face, are defending private property rights, protecting our water from being taken by large cities, lowering property taxes, banning sharia law communities in Texas, and strengthening education and workforce development across the district. What issues have you heard most about from voters in District 1? How would you address them? Property taxes are the number one concern I hear. No Texan should be taxed out of their home. We must rein in the out-of- control appraisal system and bring down property taxes by using surplus revenue to fund reductions. We also need to grow our local economy and lower the cost of living by supporting small businesses and cutting red tape. I desire to continue strengthening Texarkana College and Texas A&M- Texarkana to align their workforce development with regional needs. Water and property rights are on the line in Northeast Texas. I oppose the Marvin Nichols Reservoir. It threatens private landowners and takes working land away from future generations. I’ll stand up for our region and fight to keep the control of our water and property where it belongs with the people who live here. We need to make sure every child in Texas has the opportunity to get the best education they can, which ultimately provides a path to success either in vocational training or higher education. How would you approach job creation and economic development in the district? Economic development is an area that I have already been deeply engaged in and care about a great deal. I have served for the past five years as Chairman of the Paris Economic Development Corporation. During that time, we have seen over half a billion dollars in new capital investment, and we retained or created over 2,000 jobs, resulting in over $100 million in annual payroll. While serving on the EDC, I applied the following principles, which I would do at the state level: • We need to work closely with existing industries, looking for opportunities to expand. We need to focus on the companies we have today and make sure they have the resources they need to succeed and grow. That is priority number one. • We need to attract new industries. This includes seeking grant opportunities and partnerships, and traveling to recruit new businesses and industry. • It is imperative that we cultivate an environment that fosters entrepreneurship and start-ups. Ideally, the companies that start here will grow here, invest here, and remain here in our communities. • We must remain focused on workforce
CANDIDATES FOR THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION IN THE TEXAS HOUSE DISTRICT 1 REPRESENTATIVE RACE
JOSH BRAY
I was born and raised in Paris, Texas. My life reflects the values that shaped House District 1, including faith, hard work, and service to others. I grew up in a family that believed in showing up, pitching in, and taking care of the people around you. After graduating from Paris High School, I earned a finance degree and a Master’s degree in Marketing from the University of Alabama, followed by a Ranch Management certificate at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. I began my career in utility construction before founding Sanitation Solutions, a solid waste company. I built the company into a regional operation servicing 65 cities and leading a workforce of 150 employees. My wife, Beth, and I have been married for 20 years, and we have two daughters. We attend Christian Fellowship Church in Paris.
Can you tell us about your background and what qualifies you to represent Texas House District 1?
I was blessed to build a regional business employing 150 people. I have invested time in community leadership on boards for economic development, local business and commerce, a regional hospital, and Paris Junior College’s foundation. I serve on the Guaranty Bank and Trust board and am an active leader at Christian Fellowship Church in finance. Being a community advocate is part of who I am. I am competent, grounded, and trustworthy. I understand hard work, accountability, and what it means to serve a community, not just talk about it. I listen, follow through, and make decisions based on common sense and real-world experience.
development, cultivating talent pipelines that meet the demands of employers.
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BUSINESS & POLITICS
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