Below are the unedited responses from Vance Snider to the Amarillo Pioneer’s candidate questionnaire for 2020. Snider is a Republican candidate for U.S. House, District 13.

Please note: Questions from the Pioneer are in italics and the candidate’s responses are in standard type.

What is your occupation?

Railroad Conductor

What is your age?

What is your educational background? Please list any degrees earned, and institutions attended. You may also list any professional certifications.

With the help of his GI bill, I have attended Amarillo College Moore County Campus in Dumas, TX and West Texas A&M University to study Biochemistry and Biology. I am still working towards a degree.

Is this your first time running for office? If not, please list which offices you have sought or held in the past.

Yes

If you have a website, Facebook, Twitter, or any other online campaign materials, please list the links below.

https://www.facebook.com/vancesniderforcongress/
https://twitter.com/VanceSniderIi1?lang=fr https://vancesniderforcongress.com/

Why did you decide to run for office in 2020?

I am tired of career politicians forgetting about the average American citizen. It's time we elect a representative that more reflects the people of our district.

What are your top three priorities, if elected?

Ensuring our veterans are taken care of by reforming the VA System.
Reforming taxes that put an extreme burden on middle class families.
Strengthen our borders and immigration system.

Do you plan to host town hall meetings in the district during your first term in office? Why or why not?

Absolutely, I plan to visit every county in the district frequently. If elected I will have been elected to serve the people. The only way to effectively serve the people of our district is to hear from them in person.

Reader submitted question: Would you support new federal campaign finance reform legislation? Please explain.

Yes, the voices of special interests should not drown out the voices of the common voter.

Do you support term limits? Please explain.

Yes, serving for too long leads to complacency. The longer members of Congress are in Washington the more they forget about the people who sent them there in the first place.

Would you vote for any legislation that would prohibit the manufacturing, sale, use, ownership or carrying of firearms? Why or why not?

I absolutely do not want to firearms in the hands of criminals or mentally unstable, however, I will not support any legislation that would put an unjust burden on law abiding gun owners. Without the 2nd Amendment all the other would eventually cease to exist.

Based on the information available to the public, would you have voted for the articles of impeachment against President Trump had you been in the House at the time? Please explain.

Absolutely Not! Since day one the democratic party has sought to impeach our President, looking for any ridiculous accusation they could throw at him. We have so many issues facing this country that have not been addressed because one party is upset their candidate did not win and wasted weeks and weeks for an investigation of the President instead of addressing ridiculous EPA restrictions or discussing the Farm Bill.

With Rep. Thornberry leaving office, the district will be selecting its first new representative since 1995. Why do you believe you are the best equipped candidate to step into this role and represent all areas of the district, including rural communities and cities?

I am from this district. Outside of my military service I have spent my entire life in this district. I did not move in last minute to run for an open seat because I knew I wouldn't be elected to office in Dallas or Washington D.C. like some of my opponents. I care about the people in this district about I care about the future of the communities in this district. This district needs a representative who knows the struggles our communities face, a representative who knows what it's like to get their hands dirty and put in a hard days work. This district does not need someone who moved in to find an open seat to run for.

How will you work to advocate for and defend the agriculture community in Washington, if elected?

Agriculture is so important to so many people and long term security of not only our district but the entire country. I will fight every day to make sure that burdensome EPA regulations are abolished and that our country goes into the strongest trade agreements possible for our agricultural community.

Reader submitted question: What should the U.S. Congress do to reduce the national debt? Please explain.

We have to start by not spending money that we don't have. So many dollars are appropriated by congress that are misused or used on things that do nothing to improve lives of Americans it's ridiculous. We have to reign in spending first and foremost.

Please explain what reforms Congress should enact, if any, regarding the healthcare system.

Healthcare is an issue that affects all Texans along with Americans across the nation. Not having an insurance plan that provides the coverage that is needed for an individual can be a death sentence. Americans rack up millions in medical debt or continue to not seek the proper medical attention out of fear of being in debt for the rest of their lives. I will work to ensure Americans who like their health care coverage can keep it and if an individual’s employer doesn't provide health insurance, then providing a tax break so they can purchase a plan on the open market.

Do you support President Trump's proposal to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border? Please explain.

Yes I do, securing our southern border and building a wall to prevent the rapid progression of illegal immigrants entering our country is crucial to our countries long term success. When in Congress I will work to implement new laws for immigrants to obtain legal residence status at an affordable cost.

How will you work to ensure constituents can actively communicate with you about the issues, if elected?

I will have well-staffed district and Washington offices with a plan to respond to all communications from constituents of the district in a timely manner regardless of the medium used to communicate to our offices. Additionally, as mentioned before, I will be visiting every county in the district as frequently as possible to see and hear from constituents face-to-face. Constituent services that are offered by congressional which are vital resources for our citizens as they navigate through dealings with other federal programs and agencies are very important and my staff will be well trained to help our constituents.

Are you supported by any political action committees? If so, please list your PAC endorsements.

I have the support of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and the SMART-TD Transportation Union.

Why are you the best candidate for voters to support in the 13th District?

I've said it almost daily since I launched my campaign, my hands are rough, my boots are dirty, and I'm not a career politician. I will go to Washington to fight for this district. I have no interest in fame, or status, or getting rich. I am going to Washington to represent this district effectively and nothing else.