Experience Offers Conservative Vision for Williamson County
On September 11 2009 Williamson County small business owner James Bernsen officially announced he was entering the race for Texas House of Representatives District 52. Bernsen is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and an experienced political aide to two U.S. Senators the Speaker of the Texas House and has served as a legislative aide in both the Texas House and Texas Senate.Im announcing my candidacy for the Texas House because I think Round Rock needs a representative who shares our pro-family values and common-sense fiscal conservatism" Bernsen said.
Government spending is out of control on all levels. I know how to cut spending in Austin and refocus our priorities for a leaner more effective government" said Bernsen.
As a legislative aide Bernsen was part of a staff that cut over a billion dollars from the Texas budget. He drafted provisions of tort reform legislation in 2003 that increased access to health care for all Texans. He also helped promote legislation to dramatically increase resources for our critical trauma care hospitals.
As a researcher and journalist after leaving the capitol he conducted the most thorough study to date on the cost of illegal immigration to Texas which has already resulted in legislation to trim those costs.
On September 11 2001 Bernsen was the Deputy Press Secretary for U.S. Senator Phil Gramm. As the Senators Texas office was evacuated Bernsen stayed behind alone to man the phones and run the office.
As he watched the carnage unfold in New York and Washington Bernsen decided at that moment to serve his country even though he had no prior military experience.
Exactly six years later Sep. 11 2007 Bernsen arrived
at Camp Victory in Baghdad as a U.S. Navy intelligence officer attached to the Armys III Corps.
On my first day in Iraq the insurgents launched the first of dozens of rocket attacks against our base over the next year. It was the height of the violence in Iraq but through perseverance and the brilliant strategy of the surge we were able to make a difference. By the time I left those groups had been virtually shut down in Baghdad" Bernsen said.
That success wasnt an accident: I personally witnessed the inspired leadership of Gen. David Petraeus turn around a war many thought was lost. Those lessons in leadership will stay with me for the rest of my life.
Serving my country in Iraq was not a sacrifice. It was the greatest privilege of my life" Bernsen said.
I want to continue that service and I think that my strong capitol experience makes me the best Republican candidate for Round Rock and Southern Williamson County" said Bernsen.
