by U.S. Rep. Bill Flores

Following my announcement on September 4th that I would not be running for another term in the U.S. Congress, The Waco Tribune-Herald (“WTH”) published an Op-ed setting forth their opinions why the next Congressional Representative for the 17th District of Texas (“TX17”) should come from Waco.
That op-ed actually introduces a much more important issue – who should we elect to represent us in Congress beginning in 2021. The announcement earlier this week by a former Congressman that he is going to move from his current area and drop into TX17 should give us all something to think about – where should our next Representative come from? In the days since my announcement, the WTH published their Op-ed about the need for a Waco person to serve in this role, and many persons from other areas of the district have opined to others and me that the next Representative needs to be from their respective areas.
I want to push back on those narratives by stating what I think is obvious – the next Congressman/Congresswoman for TX 17 should come from . . . TX17. We need to seek out and find the person who will represent ALL areas of this wonderful district equitably, effectively, and passionately. If we get involved in “geographic” battles to try to pit one area versus other areas, we are essentially saying that there will be winners and losers. I think that is wrong and it runs counter to the way that my office strives to treat all areas equally. After all, the Representative for TX17 will be elected by voters from all over the district, therefore, they should represent all of the district without regard to geography.
On Monday, September 30, we held two workshops in TX17 for prospective Republican candidates who are interested in running for Congress from this district. In these workshops we discussed the various sections of TX17 and the need to represent all areas equally. We also discussed the pitfalls of trying to use a geographic attribute e.g., “I am the Waco candidate. . .” as part of a campaign strategy, because of the negative impact it will have on voter preferences in the other parts of the district.
One of the biggest takeaways that I observed from the workshops is that TX17 is blessed with a strong cadre of emerging leaders, including women and persons of color, who live, work, raise families, and serve in the communities in our district. Some of these leaders will be world-class Congressional candidates for whom I will be honored to vote and to have represent all of our district and me in Congress.
This brings me to my final point, the announcement this week that former Congressman Pete Sessions from another district is going to run in TX17 should concern all of us. Like you, I find it unacceptable that someone from outside TX17 would attempt to drop in and to try to elbow to their way to the front of the line ahead of our local leaders. We have great leaders currently living, working, raising families, and serving our communities. I hope you share my views that one of these persons should be the next Congressman or Congresswoman from TX17. Furthermore, I intend to help, support, and vote for these types of local persons during the 2020 election cycle and hope you will consider doing so also. 
One of the persons who has announced that they are running for Congress from TX17 summed it up perfectly with his statement, “With all due respect Mr. Sessions, we got this.” While I am not endorsing this candidate at this time, I could not agree more. TX17 has talent, let’s support them! 
With great respect,

Bill Flores
Congressman
17th Congressional District of Texas