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Jim Squires
Jim Squires (independent) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Texas' 22nd Congressional District. He lost as a write-in in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Squires completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Squires' professional experience includes working as a marketing consultant. He earned a bachelor's degree from Southwest Texas State University in 1993.[1]
Elections
2022
See also: Texas' 22nd Congressional District election, 2022
General election
General election for U.S. House Texas District 22
Incumbent Troy Nehls defeated Jamie Jordan, Joseph LeBlanc, and Jim Squires in the general election for U.S. House Texas District 22 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Troy Nehls (R) | 62.2 | 150,014 |
| Jamie Jordan (D) | 35.5 | 85,653 | ||
 | Joseph LeBlanc (L) | 2.2 | 5,378 | |
 | Jim Squires (Independent) (Write-in)  | 0.1 | 170 | |
| Total votes: 241,215 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 22
Jamie Jordan advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 22 on March 1, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Jamie Jordan | 100.0 | 20,818 | |
| Total votes: 20,818 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Matthew Berg (D)
- Angel Vega (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 22
Incumbent Troy Nehls defeated Gregory Thorne in the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 22 on March 1, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Troy Nehls | 87.2 | 50,281 |
 | Gregory Thorne | 12.8 | 7,378 | |
| Total votes: 57,659 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Libertarian convention
Libertarian convention for U.S. House Texas District 22
Joseph LeBlanc advanced from the Libertarian convention for U.S. House Texas District 22 on March 19, 2022.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Joseph LeBlanc (L) |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Endorsements
To view Squires' endorsements in the 2022 election, please click here.
Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Jim Squires completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Squires' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
- Compassion
- Determination
- Hard-working
- Kindness
- Selflessness
- Listening skills
- Compassion
- Determination
- Hard-working
- Kindness
- Selflessness
- Listening skills
The truth is, we have plenty of experienced politicians who are dysfunctional leaders. For them, their experience only shows them how to be more efficient and effective at being poor leaders (once they learn the functional aspects of their role they only do more damage faster).
I believe that in order to do this, we have to raise the bar with our expectations when it comes to race relations. In short, I think the biggest reason we haven't made the progress we could is because for the past two or three generations, we've been teaching our kids "tolerance" when it comes to our differences - we shouldn't be teaching tolerance when it comes to our differences, we should be CELEBRATING our differences!
For example, for too many white Americans, their understanding of racial equality is based on a taught precept of, "color doesn't matter." It's really just a way of saying, "It's no longer okay to be racist" - which admittedly, is an improvement from previously-accepted norms but, when you're taught your whole life that "color doesn't matter," when Black Lives Matter arises, it can easily be seen as an affront to their understanding of good race relations. Basically, this is why we hear so many white people saying they don't believe in Black Lives Matter but, they're not racist. In short, they've been told their whole lives that color doesn't matter, and now they're hearing "black lives matter". So, they respond with "all lives matter."
- Small Business
- Transportation and Infrastructure
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Note: Squires submitted the above survey responses to Ballotpedia on March 2, 2021.
Campaign website
Squires' campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
VACCINES AND MASKS I'm trying my best to give plenty of great reasons to vote for me. But, maybe giving one reason not to vote for me is a good idea. With that in mind, if you've been an an anti-masker throughout the pandemic, or you're an anti-vaxxer, we're not on the same team. IF YOU'RE ANTI-MASK OR ANTI-VACCINE, WE CAN'T GET DOWN At this point, COVID-19 is just doing its thing. And, anti-vaxxers are letting it happen. It's true. Half the adults in this country are the reason we still can't put it behind us. Many of them falsely argue that COVID-19 is no more dangerous than the common flu. And yet, they won't get two safe, free, easy-to-get flu shots that would virtually guarantee the safety of their fellow Americans, open our economy to full throttle, and truly allow us to move forward. I WORK WITH ADULTS I've said it before and I'll say it again (and again, and again); I work with adults. And, adults look out for and take care of one another. Children care only about themselves. They stomp and pout when they're asked to do something they don't want to do (no matter how small the inconvenience). They counter with childish protests like, "You can't tell me what to do." and, "It's a free country." To an extent, they're right. But, their argument is that of a five year old - and I work with adults. In short, I work on behalf of children, not with them. So, if you've been an anti-masker throughout the pandemic, or consider yourself an anti-vaxxer, steer clear of those of us working to improve our most important health, social, and economic issues.
We hired our politicians and have given them a substantial budget. They should be managing it effectively. And, I'll do everything I can to make sure they do. With your vote, I'll be right there to hold politicians accountable for not wasting your money. We're taxed enough already.
I've spent the better part of my career in the energy industry here in Houston. So, I know from first-hand experience just how important the sector is. And, I don't just want to protect conventional oil and gas jobs, I want to usher in all kinds of organizations (including sustainable and renewable energy companies) because when it comes to jobs, diversification is key and more is better. 2021 AND BEYOND Even though vaccines are in distribution, now is not the time to let our guard down. Wearing a mask, social distancing, and conducting our work knowing that COVID-19 is an ever-present threat will be our modus operandi for 2021. Nonetheless, it's going to be an exciting year. It's going to be a year of recovery, rebuilding, planning, preparation, and hope. In short, it's going to be a crucial year and we need strong, experienced business leadership to help launch us into the future. As your congressman, I'll work day and night to put hard-working Houstonians back on the job and provide as many high-paying, new positions as possible. HOUSTON ENERGY The hard truth is, when it comes to the future of energy and energy industry jobs, if we focus all our efforts on fighting for what made us successful in the past, we'll be left behind. The good news is that no one is more qualified and better equipped than Houstonians to take on the challenges of the future of the energy. We know the business, what's at stake, and have the experience and knowledge that's needed to lead the future of energy. And, I can tell you from many years of personal experience, nobody cares more about the environment than Houstonians who work in the energy industry. For these reasons and more, I'll do everything in my power to convince all kinds of new, sustainable, and alternate energy companies to join us in Houston as well - I want those jobs coming here, not California. HOUSTON AND HEALTHCARE Houston is home to a healthcare industry that's known throughout the world. I'll work hand-in-hand with leadership in healthcare organizations to make sure we keep that hard-earned reputation in tact and stay on top. TEACHERS AS A WORKFORCE I'll work tirelessly to hire the best teachers, administrators, and support staff throughout our district. In fact, I want our schools to be known nation-wide as a district that has world-class facilities and employs, compensates, and retains the best of the best in education. Not only will our kids be better-educated for the challenges of our ever-changing world, better schools, teachers, and administrators provide the best return on investment possible for our local economy, property values, and so much more. You should vote for me because my initiatives around jobs and the economy will help you save money, make money, and save time. It's true - my work on your behalf will make our district an even better place to live.
Like many of us, a big reason we chose to live where we live is because of its stellar school system. It's true - not only do our kids get a world-class education, unlike with most school districts, they're prepared to succeed in college. BEST INVESTMETN EVER As someone who worked for Region 4 Education Service Center and is married to a former Katy ISD teacher, you won't find a stronger advocate for our schools, teachers, administrators, and support staff - they're some of the best in the country! With your vote, two primary education-specific issues I'll focus on will be:
In addition, I'll work to end teachers teaching to a test. I also firmly believe adding new schools, making the ones we have even better, and attracting (and retaining) the best-of-the-best teachers, administrators, and support staff is key to our district's continued growth. It's true - when we invest in our schools, more affluent families with great kids will choose to live in District 22. In turn, that increases property values, strengthens the local economy, and improves all of our quality of life. In short, new schools (and even stronger current schools) provide a return on investment like nothing else. When elected, I'll work to add at least one brand new primary or secondary school in our district every year while making infrastructure improvements to current schools. In addition, no one will be a greater supporter of educators, administrators, and support staff and I'll work tirelessly to get them the best compensation and benefits packages possible.
America is nation of laws and there's plenty of room do better. It's true - our criminal justice system needs a lot of work. From redesigning sentencing laws, to controlling private prisons, to rehabilitation rather than retribution and reducing disenfranchisement, I'll work tirelessly to pass the comprehensive bipartisan restorative justice reform that's needed. REDEISGNING SENTENCING LAWS Mandatory minimum sentencing is fundamentally unjust. On top of that, judges are hired to judge - let them do their jobs. When elected, I'll work to reshape mandatory minimum federal sentencing guidelines. PRIORITIZING PREPARATION By any modern standard, our punitive-focused judicial system is archaic (at best). It's also criminally wasteful of your taxes. But, most importantly, it wastes incalculable amounts of human potential. Not only are too many Americans in prison, after they've served their sentences, too many lack the skills to get work and contribute to our community and the economy as they (and we) want. Opportunities and preparedness reduce crime. I'm committed to helping businesses in our district grow and while in Congress, I'll work to get people in prison training that will allow them to contribute in positive ways when they're released. REDUCING FELON DISENFRANCHISEMENT Many mechanisms are currently in place that continue to punish people even after they've repaid their debt to society. But, as far as I'm concerned, a deal is a deal. So, among other things, I'll work to restore the voting rights of nonviolent offenders upon their release. ENDING PRIVATE PRISONS Collectively, we understand that a prison system is needed. And, since we enact them, we're responsible for them, not private businesses. It's true - private prisons are financially incentivized to have as many people locked up for as long as possible. That's why I'll sponsor legislation to abolish private prisons and enhance oversight of state and federal prisons administered by appropriate government agencies. You should vote for me because my restorative justice initiatives will help prevent crime, keep people from returning to prison, save you money, and make our district an even better place to live.
A high uninsured rate, tough Medicaid regulations, and a lack of services has given Texas some of the highest rates for disease and death. With your vote, I promise to do everything I can to help get you and your loved ones the healthcare y'all deserve. FORMER SOLDIERS AREN'T FOCUSED ON HEALTHCARE Of course, COVID-19 has rightfully brought national attention to the issue of healthcare but, I'm not so sure most Texans fully understand how much better other states have it when it comes to healthcare. According to a recent National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report Texas ranks fourth from the bottom across all measures. And, not only does Texas do the worst job in the nation at caring for Hispanics, and manages only somewhat better with African-Americans, the affluent are only marginally better off with Texas ranking 41st in healthcare for high-income folks. Yes, The Affordable Care Act (ACA) made a difference by bringing coverage to 1.2 million Texans and pushing the percentage of uninsured down from 22 percent in 2013 to 16 percent today, it's still the worst rate in the nation. We're fortunate to have access to world-class healthcare providers here in Houston but, with our population growing older, we must do better. And when elected, I'll work with local providers to expand their networks across the state so more Texans will have better patient safety, person-centered care, care coordination, effective treatment, healthy living, and healthcare affordability. Clearly, there's been a lack of consideration around healthcare for Texans for far too long. When I'm elected I'll do everything I can to help you and your loved ones get the best-in-class healthcare y'all deserve.
"Career politician" shouldn't be a thing. Besides, change is good. But, most often, change has to be forced. In these fast-moving times, three terms should be the max for a member of Congress. After that, thank you - next.
Regardless of how your spouse votes, your vote is your vote. And, it's confidential. YOUR VOTE IS YOURS ALONE Regardless of how your spouse votes, your vote is your vote. It's true - the voting process is in tact and your vote will always be confidential. So, you're free to vote for whomever you want no matter the party affiliation, or who your friends vote for, or whomever Aunt Karen endorses. Once you're in the voting booth you can select the best candidate and make your choice.
Troy Nehls doesn't uphold the Constitution, democracy, or anything this country truly stands for. TX22 deserves better. EFFECTIVE, MODERN DAY LEADERSHIP ISN'T BASED ON FEAR MONGERING AND RACE-BAITING As someone who comes from a military family, have no doubt, I love our military women and men. I'm just saying Armed Forces experience may not be the most pertinent qualification for this job because Congress isn't a military institution and congresswomen/congressmen lead citizens, not soldiers. So, governing communities with a military "command and control" leadership style is at best ineffective and at worst, dangerous. Still, some candidates will tout their military and policing experience. According to Sheriff Nehls' own website, since taking over as sheriff, crime was down in Fort Bend County: Of course, I'm glad the sheriff's department has less work on its hands but, don't be fooled - crimes don't go down in areas because law enforcement is a demonstrable deterrent. In fact, it goes down because people, businesses, and the local economy are succeeding. In addition, pre-existing values are part of how people work. And, since there's no way to preemptively excise them, biases brought to systems of power can harm whole communities of people. In other words, former military and police force experience virtually guarantees a command and control leadership style while ensuring virtually no improvements in police accountability or reform. And, without demonstrable police reform and accountability, there will be no improvement when it comes to social justice. The best way to keep Texas' 22nd Congressional District safe and make strides with social justice issues is to put a business-experienced congressman in the seat. So, let the sheriff be a sheriff while the rest of us grow our businesses and the economy - because that's what actually helps keep our neighborhoods safe. The bottom line is that it's past time for modern, inclusive, non-military leadership from TX-22. That's what I'll provide. Nehls has demonstrated his die hard support of Trump's toxic leadership and anti-democracy policies since day one - his voting record proves he has no interest in helping the vast majority of people in TX22.
I believe the biggest problem with politics today is today's politicians. And, I'm not the only one who believes this, I know. In fact, if you agree that too many politicians care more about control, power, and keeping their positions than keeping their promises, vote for me and you'll see; I'm built different. NO OBFUSCATING I'm not a career politician. In fact, other than serving on student council my junior and senior year of high school, I've never run for an elected position. But, in today's political environment that's actually for the best. Like you, I'm tired of politicians not giving direct answers to straight-forward questions. I've said it before and I'll say it again - I represent adults. So, as one capable grown up to another, I'll always shoot you straight. Yes, from time to time I may not tell you what you want to hear, but, I promise to always tell you what you need to know. ISSUES I want to make sure you're not taxed more. I want you to earn more and have job security. I want your kids to get a world-class education. I want to keep your neighborhood safe without it being a police state. I want your family to have access to outstanding healthcare. I want you to be able to practice your faith. And, I want you to be able to make your own decisions. I'LL DO WHAT'S RIGHT BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT'S BEST When you vote for me, I'll work hard and make the right decisions - not just when it's difficult but, especially when it's difficult. If I lose my seat as a result, so be it. But, I'll never look back with regret - that's a promise.[2] |
” |
| —Jim Squires' campaign website (2022)[3] | ||
See also
2022 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on February 26, 2021
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Squires for Congress, “Issues,” accessed September 21, 2022
