The following are the complete and unedited responses submitted by the candidate listed below to the Amarillo Pioneer’s Candidate Questionnaire.

Name: Stephen Samuelson

Office Sought: Governor

Party Affiliation: Republican

Age: 42

What is your educational background? Please list any degrees or certificates earned and any institutions attended.

I earned a degree in Psychology from the University of the Incarnate Word. I also hold a ministry license.

In addition to my formal education, I served in the United States military after enlisting in 2001 at the age of 17. During my service, I advanced to the rank of Staff Sergeant before being medically retired in 2010. My education and military experience together shaped my understanding of leadership, human behavior, and service.

What is your occupation?

I am medically retired from military service. Since my retirement, I have spent the past decade working with trauma survivors and individuals experiencing crisis, focusing on peer support, advocacy, and helping people reengage with life and community. In addition, I am actively involved in civic education and public policy analysis, where I break down Texas House and Senate legislation in plain language so everyday Texans can understand how laws affect them. I am currently representing myself in a First Amendment-related federal court matter, which has further deepened my understanding of constitutional rights and government accountability.

Please list any civic boards or commissions (non-profit, government, union, religious, political, etc.) on which you have served as a board member or equivalent.

I have not previously served as a formal board member or commissioner within a nonprofit, government, or political organization. I have intentionally focused my time on direct, community-level work, assisting individuals who have fallen through the cracks of existing systems rather than pursuing formal titles or positions. This approach has given me a grounded understanding of how policies affect people outside of institutional settings.

Have you previously held or do you currently hold any elected office? If so, what office(s)?

If your campaign has any online campaign resources where voters can learn more about you, such as social media accounts or a website, please list them below.

www.texanresilience.net

Why did you decide to run for this office in 2026?

I decided to run for Governor after analyzing Texas House and Senate legislation and explaining those laws to the public in plain language. To challenge my own assumptions and avoid bias, I reached out directly to bill authors and sponsors to ask questions about their intent, structure, and real-world impact. Several of those conversations turned into thoughtful discussions about how the laws could have been written differently to better serve Texans.

During those conversations, I was encouraged to consider running for office. After serious reflection, I realized that rather than entering a legislative role with limited ability to address systemic issues, the Governor’s office provides the opportunity to bring together experience, accountability, and solutions at scale.

I am running because I see where government fails people, I understand how those failures are written into law, and I believe leadership should focus on fixing problems instead of managing them. I have spent years identifying practical solutions, and I am ready to put that experience to work for Texas.

If elected, what will be your top three priorities in office?

First, strengthening Texas resilience through practical, interconnected initiatives that address infrastructure, water security, energy reliability, food access, and workforce development. My approach is to build solutions at a small, scalable level and expand them responsibly, rather than relying on single large projects that leave communities vulnerable.

Second, aligning state policy with the people it is meant to serve. After closely reviewing recent legislative sessions, it is clear that many laws do not deliver the benefits Texans expect. I will focus on correcting structural gaps in policy so that laws actually improve affordability, access to services, and long-term stability without harming existing businesses or industries.

Third, growing a stronger and more independent Texas economy by redirecting resources where they are needed most. My initiatives are designed to create jobs, expand education and training opportunities, strengthen public safety, and bring new revenue into the state, all while reducing long-term dependency and increasing Texas’ ability to stand strong on its own.

What is an issue you believe has gone overlooked in your race and how will you address it if elected?

Mental health has been largely overlooked in this race, particularly how deeply it affects individuals, families, workforce stability, and public safety across Texas. For more than a decade, I have worked closely with people who felt abandoned by systems that were supposed to support them, including veterans and individuals experiencing crisis.

My focus is not just on treatment, but on addressing the conditions that push people into despair in the first place. This includes improving access to mental health support, reducing barriers to care, strengthening community-based services, and ensuring that veterans and first responders receive meaningful, long-term support when they return to civilian life.

By prioritizing those who were willing to sacrifice for our country, we strengthen the foundation for everyone else. When we build systems that help people regain purpose, stability, and dignity, we create healthier communities and a stronger Texas overall.

Do you have any notable endorsements you would like to highlight for voters? If this question is not applicable, please write N/A.

N/A

Why are you the best candidate for voters to support for this position?

I am the best candidate because I approach leadership with humility, curiosity, and a commitment to solving problems before they become crises. I do not claim to have all the answers, but I am committed to learning, listening, and improving policies based on evidence and real-world outcomes.

My campaign is built around forward-looking, practical ideas that are designed to strengthen Texas, not simply react to problems after they cause harm. I believe government should anticipate challenges, address root causes, and create systems that help people succeed rather than leaving them behind.

I am running to serve Texans, not political interests, and I am prepared to bring thoughtful, proactive leadership to the Governor’s office.