| January 22, 2020 | Krissia Palomo | campus editor |
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Knowing the hurdles he’d have to jump over if he were to enter the race for Texas’ 24th Congressional District, independent candidate and former editor-in-chief of TCC’s The Collegian, Mark Bauer, decided to run.
Even though Bauer became a journalist after he graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a journalism degree, he believes the skills he acquired are some he will carry with him in his political career.
“The more I was exposed to different ideas as a journalist, I learned something about truth,” Bauer said. “The truth exists regardless of what my perspective on it is.”
Bauer announced his decision to jump into the high profile race a week before Christmas, months after the Democratic and Republican primary fields were filled. However, Bauer says he has a plan that is going to help him win the election in November.
“I’ve waited for four years for someone to step up,” Bauer said. “A sense of urgency was created in me. I figured now is the best time.”
Conflicted by the polarized political climate Texans are currently facing, Bauer felt that his voice could bring bipartisan solutions to all the issues talked about in the race.
“TX-24 is a politically, economically and racially diverse district,” Bauer proposes on his campaign website. “Because of that, it’s important to find bipartisan solutions to some of the most pressing matter.”
Bauer’s campaign manager Damien Christian has worked for Republican campaigns in states such as Louisiana, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Florida, but Bauer’s race brings Christian a new experience.
“I have never worked for an independent candidate before, so this presents a new challenge for me,” Christian said. “My personal friendship with Mark and my faith in his ability to connect with voters has kept me motivated.”
The race to represent Texas’ 24th Congressional District is one deemed as a toss-up in political polls, with the margin between the Democratic nominee and Republican nominee being in the single digits. However, campaign supporter and former photo editor for The Collegian, Sarah McVean, thinks Bauer’s independent candidacy is what some voters might be looking for.
“I think Mark is a fresh voice for the millennial generation,” McVean said. “He believes that sometimes you have to carve your own path to make the right decisions.”
Having known Bauer since their early college days, McVean says this is the future she imagined for him.
“He’s well-spoken, smart, and truly cares,” she said. “He’s a real Mr. Smith Goes To Washington.”
You can find his campaign website here: https://bauerfortexas.com/
