Thornberry throws his support to Winegarner

Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) announced his support Monday for Josh Winegarner to succeed him in representing the 13th Texas congressional district.

Thornberry, who announced in September that he would retire at the end of his current term, had not previously shown support for any one of the 15 candidates seeking the Republican nomination for his position.

“When I announced that I would not seek reelection to Congress, I said that I would not try to pick my successor,” Thornberry said. “While I have talked to a number of potential candidates to answer their questions, I have never asked anyone to run or encouraged anyone to run for Congress. It is a deeply personal decision that each person must make on his or her own.”

The congressman went on to say that he believes there are several good candidates who are running to serve but that others seem to be running for their own agenda.

“With 15 candidates in the race for the Republican nomination, many people have asked me to express my views publicly about which candidate I believe would do the best job,” Thornberry said. “Like all voters, Sally and I must choose which of the candidates we want to represent us in Congress. We are looking primarily for two qualities, an attitude of true service and effectiveness in representing our district. We see only one candidate who is both running for the right reasons and can also be effective from day one. Sally and I have each decided that we will be voting for Josh Winegarner in the Republican Primary.”

As reasons for his support, Thornberry pointed to Winegarner having been born and raised in the district and worked in the district for 14 years, Winegarner’s experience working for Senators Phil Gramm and John Cornyn and directing government affairs for the Texas Cattle Feeders.

“I continue to believe that anyone who has never lived in the district, never voted in the district, never worked in the district cannot adequately represent the district,” Thornberry said. “Those candidates who have just moved here should try living here awhile, volunteering in the community, getting to know the people of our area, and then perhaps running for office.”

“I trust the voters to make their own decision for the best interests of the district and of the nation,” Thornberry said. “I encourage everyone to take time to study the candidates, including their backgrounds and their positions on issues, and to apply some good, old-fashioned common sense in carrying out this important responsibility of voting.”