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Pete was born and raised in Waco, Texas. He earned his bachelor's degree in political science from Southwestern University. He and his wife, Karen, have 5 children and they attend Waco First United Methodist Church.

Pete previously worked as the district manager at Southwestern Bell Telephone company. 

Pete Sessions currently serves as US Representative in Congressional District 17 in Texas. He was first elected in 1996 and served 11 consecutive terms to 2018. He ran for reelection in 2018, but did not win. He is currently serving his 14th term, from 2020 to 2024. 

Candidate website

Wants to balance the budget without raising taxes to reduce "unnecessary socialist government spending."

Supports agriculture and has a 100% voting record with the Texas Farm Bureau.

Believes the federal debt is too high, saying "The federal debt is now larger than the size of our economy."

Believes "the federal debt is now larger than the size of our economy."

- Wants to balance the budget without raising taxes to reduce "unnecessary socialist government spending."
- Supports the agricultural sector.
- Believes "the federal debt is now larger than the size of our economy."

Economy

Believes crime rates are increasing and more Americans are dying each year because of drug overdoses.

Believes crime rates are increasing and more people are dying from drug overdoses.

- Opposes gun control.
- Believes crime rates are increasing and more people are dying from drug overdoses.

Public Safety

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Opposes abortion access, "standing up for unborn children."

Aims to "deliver better health care to families at lower costs."

Supports better health care to families at lower costs.

Wants to create legislation supporting individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

Opposes legalizing marijuana and believes "reclassifying marijuana ignores science and endangers our youth."

- Opposes abortion access, "standing up for unborn children."
- Supports better health care to families at lower costs.
- Wants to create legislation supporting individuals with Down syndrome and their families.
- Opposes legalizing marijuana and believes "reclassifying marijuana ignores science and endangers our youth."

Healthcare

Believes there is an "ideology war" in education and opposes policies that diminish parental rights.

 Advocates for parental rights in education and educational opportunities.

Believes school curricula are normalizing "transgender lifestyles" and using outside organizations to promote "radical far-left ideas" on teachers, parents, and students.

Believes "curricula in many school districts are teaching children that transgender lifestyles are “normal.""

-  Advocates for parental rights in education and educational opportunities.
- Believes "curricula in many school districts are teaching children that transgender lifestyles are “normal.""

Education

As of September 7, 2024, Pete Sessions’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Cosponsored House Bill 8281, which requires proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.

- Cosponsored House Bill 8281, which requires proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.

Voting & Elections

Supports building a wall and strengthening immigration laws.

Supports building a wall on the southern border and strengthening immigration laws.

Believes in maintaining a strong national defense to ensure safety.

Wants to maintain a strong national defense to ensure safety.

Believes President Biden's "abandonment of U.S. citizens in Afghanistan" weakened the U.S. global position.

Believes "Joe Biden’s abandonment of U.S. citizens in Afghanistan weakened our position in the world."

- Supports building a wall on the southern border and strengthening immigration laws.
- Wants to maintain a strong national defense to ensure safety.
- Supports Israel.
- Believes "Joe Biden’s abandonment of U.S. citizens in Afghanistan weakened our position in the world."

Foreign Policy and Immigration

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Pete Sessions

Pete Sessions was born and raised in Waco, TX, where he currently resides. He graduated from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. Pete is a member of the Waco First United Methodist Church and has five sons.

Pete Sessions worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone company for 16 years, retiring as District Manager. He served in Congress from 1997 to 2019.

Pete Sessions served in Congress from 1997 to 2019 and currently represents the 17th Congressional District of Texas. He was the Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee from 2009 to 2012. Sessions has run for office multiple times, including a recent run for the 17th Congressional District seat.

Believes in ensuring U.S. competitiveness through a renewed commitment to research and development.

Supports strong leadership in Washington to benefit farmers and ranchers.

Received a 100% from the Texas Farm Bureau.

Received a 100% rating from the National Federation of Independent Business.

Supports expanding workforce opportunities.

Believes it is essential to grow the workforce in careers vital to the economy to avoid losing economic momentum.

Supports programs that create pathways to well-paying construction careers.

Believes providing workforce solutions is crucial and has worked on this issue in the district for over five years.

The candidate's website says, "As a 27-year Freestone County Texas Farm Bureau Member and a 22-year Member of Congress, Pete Sessions holds the undisputed record of the Texan with the most legislation sponsored and passed off the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives — 189 different bills."

Believes in supporting small businesses and strong leadership to defeat Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House.

Believes in balancing the federal budget without raising new taxes.

Supports agricultural interests and rural economic development.

Opposes gun control and supports Second Amendment rights.

Supports police officers and spoke at a Waco rally for Blue Lives Matter.

Supports strong leadership in Congress to improve district safety and prosperity for families.

Supports gun rights and has received an endorsement from the NRA Political Victory Fund.

Supports gun rights and has an "A" rating from the NRA for his congressional votes.

As a U.S. Representative, oversaw the passage of the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act.

Opposes abortion and holds an A+ on SBA List’s National Pro-life Scorecard.

Maintained a 100% pro-life voting record and co-sponsored legislation like the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.

Opposes abortion and supports healthcare policies aligned with the National Right to Life.

Opposes abortion and supports legislation to protect unborn children and restrict taxpayer funding for abortion.

Endorsed by the Susan B. Anthony List’s Candidate Fund PAC, which opposes abortion.

Supports disability advocacy and has a history of supporting "life legislation," which typically refers to anti-abortion policies.

Opposes abortion and has a 100% voting record with the National Right to Life.

Endorsed by the Texans for Life Coalition, a pro-life organization.

Endorsed by the Susan B. Anthony Candidate Fund PAC, which opposes abortion.

Supports pro-life policies and has received endorsements from organizations such as Texans for Life Coalition.

Believes teachers should be excited about their students' academic aspirations.

Believes research at universities will lead to national progress and technological improvements for Americans.

Believes in expanding successful programs for high school students and unemployed adults across the district and nation.

Believes the Democratic Party is "attacking parents and their God-given right to raise them how they see best fit" and that the Biden administration is "trying to push their socialist agenda on the next generation and limiting parental involvement."

Believes rising prices for gasoline and groceries are problematic.

Believes Democrats disrespect opposing elected representatives and have lost integrity in advocating for their proposals.

Believes in restoring a conservative Republican majority in the House of Representatives in the next election.

Believes in the importance of uniting Republicans from multiple factions and supports candidates who focus on their own campaigns rather than "lying about their opponents."

Supports voting rights and fair elections.

Endorsed by the Texas Farm Bureau AGFUND.

Endorsed by Texans for Life Coalition, a pro-life organization.

Supports fair voting practices and elections.

Opposes "establishment" candidates in the 17th District, advocating for a choice that best serves the community.

Endorsed by four former rivals in the runoff to replace U.S. Rep. Bill Flores.

Believes Pete Sessions is the only candidate who can "unite Republicans from multiple factions" and supports focusing on one's own campaign rather than "lying about opponents."

Believes in "securing our southern border" and creating a "common-sense immigration plan" to identify threats and provide a pathway for legal work status.

Supports "American First policies" such as resuming construction of the southern border wall.

Believes reforms are needed to ensure that American tax dollars are spent on "American needs" and to stop benefits to legal immigrants.

Supports building a wall on the southern border and blames President Biden for a surge of undocumented immigration.

Believes in "reforming our immigration policies and push American first policies."

- Your US Representative represents the interests of your district in the US House of Representatives, the lower house of Congress. Texas currently has 36 US Representatives.
- US Representatives can author, sponsor, debate, and vote on bills that become national law.
- Representatives may serve on congressional committees. Committees focus on certain policy areas, such as transportation, education, or labor. They may also run for higher positions within their party, such as the Speaker of the House or Majority/Minority Leader.
- Representatives are elected to two-year terms. To hold this office, a candidate must be a legal resident of Texas for at least seven years before their election. US Representatives are paid a salary of $174,000/year.