Richard Howell (Texas)
From Ballotpedia
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Richard Howell (Libertarian Party) ran for election to the Texas House of Representatives to represent District 145. He lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.
Howell completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Richard Howell served in the United States military. He earned an associate degree from Lone Star College. Howell's career experience includes working as a private investigator.[1]
Elections
2020
See also: Texas House of Representatives elections, 2020
General election
General election for Texas House of Representatives District 145
Incumbent Christina Morales defeated Martha Fierro and Richard Howell in the general election for Texas House of Representatives District 145 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Christina Morales (D) | 64.0 | 27,415 |
 | Martha Fierro (R) | 33.7 | 14,445 | |
 | Richard Howell (L)  | 2.3 | 970 | |
| Total votes: 42,830 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 145
Incumbent Christina Morales advanced from the Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 145 on March 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Christina Morales | 100.0 | 8,002 |
| Total votes: 8,002 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 145
Martha Fierro advanced from the Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 145 on March 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Martha Fierro | 100.0 | 2,485 |
| Total votes: 2,485 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Libertarian convention
Libertarian convention for Texas House of Representatives District 145
Richard Howell advanced from the Libertarian convention for Texas House of Representatives District 145 on March 21, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Richard Howell (L) | 100.0 | 77 |
| Total votes: 77 | |||
| = 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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Campaign finance
Campaign themes
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Richard Howell completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Howell's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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US Army airborne combat veteran with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Experience in government bureaucracy derived from the military. Some college experience including an Associate in Science. Most learning achieved through didactic practice with choice reading of a large collection of books that expanded critical analysis skills to be able to properly understand the vocabulary of legislation. Originally accepted the option as the libertarian party candidate in an exercise for voting rights and promised to fulfill the job of a representative with an ethics, civil rights, and individual freedoms focused foundation. Technically classified as a moderate libertarian with an emphasis on diminishing punishment for nonviolent crimes and appropriate spending of taxpayer funds. Promised to give first six months of salary to a recognized legitimate charity focused on development of citizens if elected into office in an effort to focus on the specific job required as a representative.
- Appropriate spending of taxpayer funding is necessary for a government that cares about its people.
- A fair and proper education is the foundation for functioning society.
- The philosophy of government is to protect and support its people without exploiting them.
Appropriate spending of taxpayer funds is important when applied to all aspects of government. Ethics with spending don't require endlessly growing a bureaucracy that promises without delivering. Proper spending in education in the areas that deserve funds is the key to help our children succeed. Nonviolent crimes don't need to be overly punished to the point that citizens are unable to operate properly within their own domains. Individual freedoms should be respected in order for citizens to achieve their full potential and succeed within society. When people are educated and able to succeed within society, society benefits and also succeeds. Imagine real change, real opportunity, and real freedom available to everyone. The option to choose that opportunity is available through voting Libertarian.
I consider role models from past presidents like George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. They have heavy emphasis on morals and ethics. I gain inspiration from noted book authors like Ernest Hemingway and John Steinbeck because their works contain wisdom hidden inside articulate literature.
There are several books that I could recommend but I'd prefer just to point them in the direction of the library and allow them the chance to discover them on their own. Unique perspectives from far more than just the basic required reading of a scholastic program are immensely valuable for anyone who chooses to explore them.
Ethics in relation to the job are paramount. If you promise to represent a people then that's what you're charged to do after they elect you. Their interests become your interests.
A vocabulary and comprehension of literature advanced enough to be able to properly propose and translate legislation.
A diverse background in travel to many places around the US and the world that have provided keen insight for understanding the vast differences between different people and cultures and the extreme complexity involved in how to help them all to operate as peacefully as possible.
A diverse background in travel to many places around the US and the world that have provided keen insight for understanding the vast differences between different people and cultures and the extreme complexity involved in how to help them all to operate as peacefully as possible.
Ensuring the general protection and opportunities of the citizenry that you're elected to represent.
Continued improvement in society during its growth. The understanding that wherever I found myself, I was able to help. A true assistance in the positive education of our youth.
I was a sophomore in high school during the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
My very first job was as a youth swim teacher for the city's Aquatics division where I lived. I held that job for two different summers as a teenager. It was fun showing kids the proper techniques to adapt in water and some of my students were brought up to prepare for the beginning of competition level. It was rewarding to help the development and growth of kids in an area of their learning.
Ernest Hemingway's "The Old Man and the Sea" because it teaches that experience is valuable despite what we believe we possess tangibly.
Showing others that our shared experiences are beneficial for the betterment of everyone if we apply the proper lessons learned from that shared experience.
The lower chamber offers and votes on ideas for legislation that they believe will be beneficial for the operation of the citizenry. The upper chamber gets a second look at that legislation and applies their wisdom and insight as to their agreement to pass or veto those ideas.
I think that previous experience helps to provide insight but the job is fairly straightforward in philosophy. The founding fathers created our government in that manner intentionally because they saw public office as a temporary position where all of the public's great minds could come together and provide all of their unique experience for the betterment of society. I do, however, consider my previous experience in operating through bureaucracy to be very valuable.
The next decade in Texas will find many challenges in handling its population's rapid growth. Increases in technology have afforded Texans a lot of opportunities that are unique in comparison to other states because the room for growth is available but people will always be drawn toward the city centers for entertainment, greater safety, and the possibility for jobs. The energy market, the development of newly innovated technologies, and the international interest for what Texas has to offer are all points for the state's continued success.
The governor is the focus for key implementation of what the legislature has to offer. While the legislators are intent on representing their districts, their overall functionality is overseen by a highly experienced individual.
It is highly beneficial to build relationships with other legislators. While a single legislator's job is to represent and reflect the interest of his or her district, understanding common interests as well as complimentary possibilities are truly what it takes to get the votes passed that will allow district focused legislation to succeed.
The district doesn't matter as long as our common goal remains to protect and assist those within it in order to ensure their overall success. As far as redistricting is concerned, I'll take what's provided and gear it for success, no matter how it is drawn. Districts in the Houston area are unique since the lack of zoning laws allows for a lot of potential in any direction.
The education committee and the business/commerce committee are a focus for my interest but I am open to learn more about the other committees and their benefits for the people I may represent.
Party leadership for libertarians is usually rooted in ethics, from my understanding. However I do understand that a libertarian in Texas would be a minority whose capabilities would be best suited for mediation. Since I don't currently have a family then I wouldn't mind the excess burden for time that a leadership role may require. I don't expect to be nominated for one, though.
If elected then I would first seek guidance from the experience of my predecessor. She is from a different political party but I don't plan on any immediate deviation from the way that she has supported the citizenry. The people shouldn't feel like a shift from a Democrat to a Libertarian philosophy would be something that upsets their ability to operate. My goal is to improve their capabilities, not diminish them.
I may continue a future in further politics whether or not this current campaign is successful. I'd like to look into U.S. Congress options if the people decide that they like my style of representation. I'll continue furthering my education either way.
Yes, but I'll reserve their right to privacy. I've worked previously as a medical professional and the information we receive in that kind of work has a habit of ethically and legally remaining private.
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.
See also
2020 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on June 10, 2020
Current members of the Texas House of Representatives
Leadership
Speaker of the House:Dustin Burrows
Representatives
District 1
Gary VanDeaver (R)
District 2
Brent Money (R)
District 3
Cecil Bell (R)
District 4
Keith Bell (R)
District 5
Cole Hefner (R)
District 6
Daniel Alders (R)
District 7
Jay Dean (R)
District 8
Cody Harris (R)
District 9
Trent Ashby (R)
District 10
Brian Harrison (R)
District 11
Joanne Shofner (R)
District 12
Trey Wharton (R)
District 13
Angelia Orr (R)
District 14
Paul Dyson (R)
District 15
Steve Toth (R)
District 16
Will Metcalf (R)
District 17
Stan Gerdes (R)
District 18
Janis Holt (R)
District 19
Ellen Troxclair (R)
District 20
Terry Wilson (R)
District 21
Dade Phelan (R)
District 22
Christian Manuel (D)
District 23
Terri Leo-Wilson (R)
District 24
Greg Bonnen (R)
District 25
Cody Vasut (R)
District 26
Matt Morgan (R)
District 27
Ron Reynolds (D)
District 28
Gary Gates (R)
District 29
Jeffrey Barry (R)
District 30
A.J. Louderback (R)
District 31
Ryan Guillen (R)
District 32
Todd Hunter (R)
District 33
Katrina Pierson (R)
District 34
District 35
Oscar Longoria (D)
District 36
Sergio Munoz (D)
District 37
Janie Lopez (R)
District 38
Erin Gamez (D)
District 39
Armando Martinez (D)
District 40
Terry Canales (D)
District 41
Robert Guerra (D)
District 42
Richard Raymond (D)
District 43
J.M. Lozano (R)
District 44
Alan Schoolcraft (R)
District 45
Erin Zwiener (D)
District 46
Sheryl Cole (D)
District 47
Vikki Goodwin (D)
District 48
Donna Howard (D)
District 49
Gina Hinojosa (D)
District 50
James Talarico (D)
District 51
District 52
Caroline Harris (R)
District 53
Wesley Virdell (R)
District 54
Brad Buckley (R)
District 55
Hillary Hickland (R)
District 56
Pat Curry (R)
District 57
Richard Hayes (R)
District 58
Helen Kerwin (R)
District 59
Shelby Slawson (R)
District 60
Mike Olcott (R)
District 61
District 62
Shelley Luther (R)
District 63
Ben Bumgarner (R)
District 64
Andy Hopper (R)
District 65
Mitch Little (R)
District 66
Matt Shaheen (R)
District 67
Jeff Leach (R)
District 68
David Spiller (R)
District 69
James Frank (R)
District 70
Mihaela Plesa (D)
District 71
Stan Lambert (R)
District 72
Drew Darby (R)
District 73
Carrie Isaac (R)
District 74
Eddie Morales (D)
District 75
Mary Gonzalez (D)
District 76
Suleman Lalani (D)
District 77
Vincent Perez (D)
District 78
Joseph Moody (D)
District 79
Claudia Ordaz (D)
District 80
Don McLaughlin (R)
District 81
Brooks Landgraf (R)
District 82
Tom Craddick (R)
District 83
Dustin Burrows (R)
District 84
Carl Tepper (R)
District 85
Stan Kitzman (R)
District 86
John Smithee (R)
District 87
Caroline Fairly (R)
District 88
Ken King (R)
District 89
Candy Noble (R)
District 90
Ramon Romero (D)
District 91
David Lowe (R)
District 92
Salman Bhojani (D)
District 93
Nate Schatzline (R)
District 94
Tony Tinderholt (R)
District 95
Nicole Collier (D)
District 96
David Cook (R)
District 97
John McQueeney (R)
District 98
District 99
Charlie Geren (R)
District 100
Venton Jones (D)
District 101
Chris Turner (D)
District 102
Ana-Maria Ramos (D)
District 103
Rafael Anchia (D)
District 104
Jessica Gonzalez (D)
District 105
Terry Meza (D)
District 106
Jared Patterson (R)
District 107
Linda Garcia (D)
District 108
Morgan Meyer (R)
District 109
Aicha Davis (D)
District 110
Toni Rose (D)
District 111
Yvonne Davis (D)
District 112
Angie Button (R)
District 113
Rhetta Bowers (D)
District 114
John Bryant (D)
District 115
District 116
Trey Fischer (D)
District 117
Philip Cortez (D)
District 118
John Lujan (R)
District 119
Elizabeth Campos (D)
District 120
District 121
Marc LaHood (R)
District 122
Mark Dorazio (R)
District 123
Diego Bernal (D)
District 124
Josey Garcia (D)
District 125
Ray Lopez (D)
District 126
Sam Harless (R)
District 127
District 128
Briscoe Cain (R)
District 129
Dennis Paul (R)
District 130
Tom Oliverson (R)
District 131
Alma Allen (D)
District 132
Mike Schofield (R)
District 133
Mano Deayala (R)
District 134
Ann Johnson (D)
District 135
Jon Rosenthal (D)
District 136
John Bucy (D)
District 137
Gene Wu (D)
District 138
Lacey Hull (R)
District 139
District 140
Armando Walle (D)
District 141
District 142
Harold Dutton (D)
District 143
Ana Hernandez (D)
District 144
Mary Perez (D)
District 145
District 146
Lauren Simmons (D)
District 147
Jolanda Jones (D)
District 148
Penny Shaw (D)
District 149
Hubert Vo (D)
District 150
Valoree Swanson (R)
Republican Party (88)
Democratic Party (62)
