Profile: Victor Leal, Republican for State Senator, District 31

The following is a compilation of the unedited responses from Victor Leal, Republican candidate for State Senator, District 31, to the 2018 Amarillo Pioneer Voter Guide Questionnaire. Leal is running against former Midland mayor Mike Canon and incumbent Kel Seliger in the March 6th Republican primary.

Name:

Victor Leal

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Occupation:

Businessman

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Office Sought:

State Senator, District 31

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What is your educational background?

Graduated High School 1980 Read on a wide variety of subjects including leadership; theology; hagiography; statecraft; business; politics; philosophy; literature.

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Please list any of your political, civic or non-profit experience.

Elected positions I've held: Muleshoe Hospital District; Region 17 Service Center; Mayor of Muleshoe; Member of the Republican Platform Committee. Appointments: Texas Public Policy Foundation; Texas Building and Procurement Commission ( Now Texas Facilities Commission) Texas Historical Foundation; Texas Finance Commission; Texas One for State Economic Development; Associated Republicans of Texas. Non-Profits: Care-Net Crisis Pregnancy Center; Downtown Women's Center; United Way of Amarillo; Chamber of Commerce Amarillo and Muleshoe.

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What experience do you have that qualifies you for this position?

My vast experience in the public sphere and helping shape policy to limit government and reduce the burdens of regulations and taxes will help because I know first-hand as a small business owner how burdensome these things are.

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In 2017, Senator Don Huffines filed resolutions calling for term limits on Texas elected officials. Under Huffines' resolution, state legislators would have been limited to 12 years in office, judges would have been limited to 18 years in office and local elected officials would have been limited to 12 years in office. Would you have supported this resolution if it came before you for a vote? Why or why not?

Yes. I worked on similar legislation in the 2015 session of our legislature. I think it's important to reduce the power of the incumbents and to have fresh and innovative ideas in our state government. I would sponsor legislation to set limits on amount of time an office is held. I am for restarting the clock if another office is attained.

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Do you believe that Texas judges should be elected in partisan elections? Why or why not?

An argument can be made for the Governor to appoint judges and an election held later to retain them. This system will not do away with the partisan politics that we now have. I don't think judges should be partial but I'm a realist and know we have judges who legislate from the bench. I believe we should trust the voters to decide on their judges.

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Under Texas law, non-judicial candidates are permitted to accept donations in any amount from a donor. Would you support capping the dollar amount that a donor may give a candidate in a single election cycle? Why or why not?

I do not support a cap. I believe we have a freedom of speech and association derived from our First Amendment and do not believe we should put a cap on how much a person can give to a candidate. The creation of PAC money would only increase if we did.

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Do you support property tax reform? If so, what package would you ideally like to see approved in Austin?

I do support tax reform. In fact I serve on Lt. Governor Dan Patrick's Advisory Board for Taxes. We worked on legislation to set a trigger for an election local taxes increased by more than four percent. I am for local voter-control and believe we know best on how to decide how our hard-earned money is spent. I would be open to ideas of buying down the school taxes, which amount to around sixty percent of our property tax bills, and exploring a consumption tax to offset them. I would only vote for such a bill if the property taxes could not increase again.

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Do you believe that the Texas Railroad Commission should be renamed? Why or why not?

I think renaming the Railroad Commission would be more truth in advertising but it's not a high priority for me.

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Please rate the performance of Speaker Joe Straus during the 2017 Texas Legislative session.

F

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Do you support "Constitutional Carry" legislation? Why or why not?

Yes. Our second amendment right to bear arms should apply to all law-abiding citizens.

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Should hotel occupancy tax legislation be reformed? Why or why not?

Yes. I believe hotel occupancy taxes have become a politically correct way of confiscating money from people who are simply traveling through or on a visit. It is touted as a way to fund local projects with out of town money. Confiscating the money of hard-working citizens should not be bragged about in the manner some of our local official are proud of doing.

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Is Texas in need of the passage of ethics reform legislation? Why or why not?

We should always seek ways to be more transparent and accountable to the voters and taxpayers. More light in the system drives out the darkness and corruption we have become accustomed to.

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Are you supported by Amarillo Matters?

No

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How will you better represent local voters than your opponent(s)?

For one I will be aligned with the constituents of this conservative district. The incumbent was the only Republican Senator to vote against property tax relief and has the most liberal ranking as well. I will stay close to the great folks I will have the honor of representing just like I have done in my business. We must listen to our customers in business and our constituents when in office.

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Do you have any aspirations for higher office?

No.

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Why should voters choose you on March 6th?

Because I grew up serving guests in the heart of this district. My entire life has been one of serving and I will continue to humble myself before the folks who send me to Austin and do my best, by God's grace, to represent the folks I have grown to love. I have the abilities and knowledge and passion and experience to do the job. I'll roll up my sleeves and work harder than anyone because the hard-working folks in our area deserve someone who will work , everyday, as hard as they do.