On May 24, voters in Kendall County, as well as Gillespie, Blanco and Burnet counties and the far western part of Travis County, will pick between the two Republican runoff candidates to see who will represent that side of the ballot in November and seek to become the new Texas House District 19 representative.
In the March primary, Ellen Troxclair earned the most votes overall and in Kendall County. Her 12,324 total votes were 38.25 percent of those cast. In Kendall County, she earned 2,937 votes, or 37.74 percent. Closely behind was Justin Berry, who was picked on 11,395 ballots overall for 35.37 percent. In Kendall County, he received 31.62 percent of the vote, or 2,461 ballots. There were two other candidates.
The winner will square off against Democrat Pam Baggett, and that winner in 2023 will replace current state Rep. Kyle Biedermann, who decided not to seek another term. Early voting got underway Monday and continues through Friday this week. On Election Day, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Troxclair said she is a proven conservative who while serving on the Austin City Council “followed through” on campaign promises to lower property taxes by passing homestead exemption, fight against “radical leftist efforts” to use taxpayer dollars to fund Planned Parenthood and benefits for illegal immigrants and expose “frivolous government spending” and advocated for increased accountability for taxpayers.
“First and foremost, I am a Christian and a proud wife and mother of three children,” Troxclair told The Star. “I grew up in Flower Mound, Texas when it was mostly pastureland, and my husband grew up in Knippa, Texas (Uvalde County). Our kids are ninth generation Texan and we have deep rural roots, but we met while both working for conservative legislators at the Texas Capitol after college.”
Troxclair said she served 10 years as a chief of staff in the Texas House before starting her own small business “and becoming so frustrated about rising property taxes that I ran for the Austin City Council.”
There, she said she served as the lone conservative on the Austin City Council and became known as the budget watchdog. Following that, she served as a Senior Fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation (a conservative think-tank), a Highly Qualified Expert with the Army Futures Command and wrote a bestselling book inspiring more conservative women to get involved in policy and politics.
“I am running for this office because we need a proven and unwavering conservative voice in the state legislature,” she said.
Berry is a 15-year police officer with the Austin Police Department and graduated from Sam Houston State University with both a bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice and an master of science degree in leadership and management. He is married with one son.
Berry was the Republican nominee in 2020 in what was then Texas House District 47 and nearly defeated liberal incumbent Vikki Goodwin.
His website states he said he works to protect families and build safer communities, adding he understands the impact safe neighborhoods have on the economy, schools and quality of life.
Also a successful small business owner, Berry said he knows firsthand the difficulties of excessive taxes and regulations that stifle entrepreneurs from achieving their dreams.
He said if elected, he will bring his extensive background in law enforcement to protect neighborhoods, schools and private property, listing his priorities as safe neighborhoods, strong public and higher education, free market economy and defending constitutional rights.
The Star contacted both candidates and asked them the same questions. Following are their answers with only minor editing done.
Q: What are the key issues you’re focused on heading into the election?
Troxclair: Securing the border is the biggest issue in this race and the issue in which my opponent and I have the biggest disagreement. I will fight to increase border security funding, to add more border patrol and better technology to keep criminals out of our community.
Berry: I am interested in securing our border, providing realistic property tax relief, supporting our law enforcement officers and getting our schools back to focusing on foundational curriculums with college prep, trade school and other practical programs that set our children up for success in life.
Q: If elected, what would be your district priorities upon taking office?
Troxclair: My top three priorities are securing the border, cutting and capping property taxes and keeping Critical Race Theory and obscenity out of our schools.
Berry: Securing our border is a huge priority for our district, as bringing realistic property tax relief, and supporting law enforcement. We also need to ensure our schools are set up to help our children succeed in life instead of teaching to a standardized test or a liberal agenda.
Q: What would be your specific priorities for Kendall County?
Troxclair: I will fight to make sure Kendall County and the rest of the Hill Country are protected from urban encroachment on our values, economy and natural resources. We must manage our explosive growth in a responsible manner, especially when it comes to protecting our water
Berry: I believe it is important to bring realistic property tax relief and making sure our community has access to our area’s water supply. Urban centers like San Antonio shouldn’t have first rights to our natural resources just because they want them.
Q: If elected, how would you work with others to reach your goals, including governments and municipalities, the public and other representatives?
Troxclair: Being accessible, present and responsive are necessities for effective representation. That’s why I have always maintained an open-door policy and put my personal cell phone number on everything. I am happy to speak with local officials or any of my constituents about concerns, issues or even just ideas for good legislation. I also have a proven record of being able to follow through on my campaign promises because I believe in principled and effective leadership.
Berry: Sound policy is never achieved alone. I fully commit to working with the constituents of Texas HD 19 to be their voice at the Capitol. As a police officer, I am used to working for and answering to my community. I believe it is the role of a State Representative to find ways to solve problems. This begins by taking community input, meeting with stakeholders on the issues and analyzing the impact of the policy within the community.
Q: How do you take into consideration both the West Austin area as well as Kendall County in deciding what’s best for the entire district?
Troxclair: While the issues and geography certainly differ by county, we have one commonality – this is one of the reddest districts in the state and voters want honesty and integrity in their state representative. … You will always know where I stand and why. My constituents have always valued my transparency and my deeply rooted policy background that allows me to represent them with principled and effective arguments.
Berry: There are a total of five counties in House District 19. There are many issues that are shared priorities in each county such as securing our border, keeping our communities safe, bringing realistic property tax relief and ensuring our water supply and access is protected, along with other key items like strong schools and protecting our constitutional liberties. Focusing on the needs of each community begins with speaking with the local community and their respective representatives on what is needed from the state. My job would be to work on utilizing the relationships outlined in the previous question to achieve the interests of our various communities in our house district.
Q: What have you learned about Kendall County and the position you’re seeking during this campaign?
Troxclair: Kendall County is one of our favorite places to spend time because of the kindness of the people and the beauty of the land. It encompasses the grit and grace that makes Texas so unique. Together, we have an important role to play in fighting to secure the border, protect our kids, reduce property taxes, secure our elections and bring sanity back to our country.
Berry: I have been amazed with how supportive Kendall County is of their law enforcement officers, and for that I am very personally grateful every time I come into Kendall County. I also know how important access to water is and the concerns of rapid overdevelopment with regard to lack of resources available. I hear of how the concerns along the border are impacting the community, especially with regards to the influx of fentanyl coming in. I also know Kendall County, like many of the other counties, are comprised of great people who want to preserve their beautiful and tight-knit communities for their children.
Q: Why should people vote for you?
Troxclair: I am the only conservative in this race and I have (the) record to prove it.
Berry: I ask for your vote to be your next State Representative for House District 19, to be your voice in the State Capitol this next session. As an active police officer for the past 15 years, I know and understand what it means to serve one’s community with accessibility, transparency and accountability.
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