Texas House of Representatives District 46 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Texas, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Texas House of Representatives District 46 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

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• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Texas House of Representatives District 46

Incumbent Sheryl Cole defeated Samuel Strasser and Thomas Kost in the general election for Texas House of Representatives District 46 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Sheryl Cole (D)	75.5	47,273
		Samuel Strasser (R)	21.8	13,628
		Thomas Kost (L)	2.8	1,726

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 62,627
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

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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.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Thomas Kost (L)

Ending illegal and overbearing executive Mandates. Making laws is the responsibility of the legislature, not the Executive branch.

Lower taxes through more focused spending. Much of what government does has and can be better handled by private organizations.

Bringing unity and building bridges to all people, and all communities in the Greater Austin area and in Texas. When we are divided, our power is greatly reduced.

Samuel Strasser (R)

Elimination of property taxes

School Choice

Providing Safe Cities for everyone

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Thomas Kost (L)

I'm very passionate about:

- Freedom and Privacy - Equal Rights and Protection all communities - Defending our Constitutional rights. All of them, but particularly the 1st and 2nd Amendment. - Education: Our current system was severely impacted by COVID lockdowns. The students affected by this need support quickly as possible the missed learning opportunities.

- Being an actual representative of The People regardless of minority, ethnic identity or social or sexual orientation

Samuel Strasser (R)

We have seen an explosion in growth in the Austin area over the last couple of years. With this growth property values have skyrocketed, making living in the area more expensive. In Austin, the current median home price is $575,000. In Pflugerville were my wife and I live the median value has risen to $445,680. Many residents have lived in their homes in the area for years and are on fixed income, and with rising property values are going be forced to leave their community. No one should have to worry about losing their home due to the government taxing them out of it.

       In recent years there have been proposal for the elimination of property taxes.  These proposals have a five-year transition period.  Our neighbors can not wait five years.  Currently if you have a homestead exemption on your home, your property value can be increase 10% annually.  A family that purchased a home for 300K at the end of the transition period would see their property valued at 483K, which at our tax rate of 2.7% would equate to around $5,000 extra per year in property taxes.  The home mortgage would cost a family $1,109, while the monthly tax burden for the home would be $1,086.75.  The fact that a Texan must pay the same amount in taxes as their mortgage is unacceptable to me. 

​ I will work tirelessly to see the elimination of property taxes for anyone who has a homestead exception on their property. The difference in lost state revenue from the elimination of the prop

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Samuel Strasser (R)

My father is my hero and is an amazing man. I look up to him and I am inspired every day by him.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Thomas Kost (L)

The two books I recommend are:

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand who lived in Russia during the birth of Communism On Liberty by John Stuart Mill who teaches that society has no right to implement restrictions "for your own good or safey"

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Thomas Kost (L)

- Listening to the will of the people and serving those interests - Ethics, honesty, and being unafraid to discuss real issues that often controversial

Samuel Strasser (R)

To run for office not for self gain, but to help out the people you represent

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Thomas Kost (L)

I am a very open and honest person. I can easily see and respect the opinions of others. The desire to serve this community and increase the personal freedoms and economic opportunities is very strong and natural for me.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Thomas Kost (L)

The core responsibilities include:

1. Meeting with constituents to understand the concerns or render help and assistance 2. Removing or enacting laws to protect or enhance the citizens rights and well being

3. Raising a critical eye towards spending and taxes with a view of guiding an enabling services to provided by private entities whenever possible.

Samuel Strasser (R)

Listening to the concerns of the people

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Thomas Kost (L)

My very first historical event that I remember is the Apollo 13 incident. I was merely 2.5 years old, and my sister was born on April 15th 1970. I was there at the hospital with my extended family, and everyone was watching the TV and talking about the Astronauts. It was only later when we studied history that I realized Apollo 13 was on my sister's birthday and remembered the actual events. It must have impacted me because I always then wanted to be an Astronaut but ended up becoming an Electrical Engineer. I’m glad that we are retuning to the moon with NASA project Artemis which begins this year and a full half century since out last footsteps were left on the moon.

Samuel Strasser (R)

The first historical event that I have vivid memories of is the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. It happen while our family was packing up to move to the great state of Texas from Minnesota

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Samuel Strasser (R)

I have been working since I was 15 years old. With my first job being a busser at the Ramada Inn Restaurant in Georgetown Tx.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Samuel Strasser (R)

Vince Flynn "Memorial Day"

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Thomas Kost (L)

There are so many great characters to choose from. I have always wanted to be Aragon, the Ranger, from the Lord of the Rings. He was very humble and loyal character who did not fear evil or an impossible challenge.

Samuel Strasser (R)

Capitan Ron from the move Capitan Ron. Love spending time on our local lakes in the Austin area

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Samuel Strasser (R)

Big Boi "All Night"

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Thomas Kost (L)

The idea relationship is working together but maintaining the important distinctions between the two branches. Executive orders compromise and take the powers granted to the legislature. The Governor has an active role in suggesting and enforcing legislation.

Samuel Strasser (R)

It is important that the state legislature and governor have synergy to get results for the people of Texas

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Thomas Kost (L)

The greatest challenge in the next decade is restoring power and freedoms to the people of Texas. My first action if elected would be to repeal many wrongheaded and unconstitutional laws and executive orders.

Samuel Strasser (R)

The rise in home values and property tax is the number one issue facing Texans

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

Thomas Kost (L)

I do not see the point of this question as Texas is bicameral and there are no significant discussions to change this.

Samuel Strasser (R)

Lucky for us we do not have a unicameral state legislature in Texas

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Thomas Kost (L)

Some experience would be beneficial but not necessary. However many legislators remain in office for lengthy periods of time and end up becoming too powerful and/or corrupt.

Samuel Strasser (R)

No, I think it is important to for a state legislator to have a passion for serving the voters of Texas.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Thomas Kost (L)

Naturally it is beneficial to build relationships with other legislators as passing or sunsetting laws requires the support of the majority. Moreover, building relationships in general is a fun and human connecting process. It's equally if not more important to build relationships the people of the district you represent.

Samuel Strasser (R)

Yes, to accomplish your goals you have to build relationships across the aisle.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Thomas Kost (L)

This is an important topic because Texas districts are often if not completely gerrymandered. I would be in favor of changing the Texas process to an independent, citizen staffed commission.

Samuel Strasser (R)

Current process of the Texas Legislature

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Thomas Kost (L)

I would be interested in serving the Criminal Justice committee for several reasons:

1. Protecting and enhancing our privacy and constitutional rights. 2. I would seek to make marijuana legal for sale and personal use. and to expunge previous misdemeanor convictions

3. Legislative oversight of our Law Enforcement community is needed to restore and reduce policing excesses like illegal searches and civil rights violations and vastly inappropriate use of force

Samuel Strasser (R)

No

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Thomas Kost (L)

I tend to model the great legislators and heros who created this great United States of America, for example Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin. One of my ancestors is Sir Thomas Nelson who is one of the signers of the declaration of independance.

Samuel Strasser (R)

No

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Thomas Kost (L)

That is something I have not spent much time thinking about, but I'd prefer to focus on Texas. This office would not be a stepping stone for me.

Samuel Strasser (R)

We will see what the future brings

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Thomas Kost (L)

As a biker I have heard and seen with my own eyes police harassments. Beyond what we see on the news regularly I can only imagine what harassments are made toward other minorities and marginalized groups. Police profiling is all too common and this not only violates our rights, but wastes valuable police resources.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Samuel Strasser (R)

A three legged dog walks into a bar, and ask which one of you shot my paw

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Thomas Kost (L)

Yes, there should be specific time limits after which legislative approval must be granted. Our rights do not end during an emergency, in fact, that's when they are most needed.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Thomas Kost (L)

Compromise is essential for policymaking. Libertarians are the balance between both Republicans and Democrats. Certain principles can not be compromised such as our constitutional rights.

Samuel Strasser (R)

I believe that all sides want what is best for their constituency. Each side can have some very different views on how to achieve success. It is important to compromise and show results that help everyone in Texas

See also

More about these elections:

• Texas House of Representatives elections, 2022

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