Wasting no time, U.S. Representative August Pfluger (R-San Angelo) announced his reelection campaign kickoff in front of supporters Wednesday afternoon at the Bush Convention Center in Midland.
Representing District 11, the West Texas native is wrapping up his first year in Congress and talked about some of the biggest items that he’s had to take on during the past 11 months.
He says one of those things has been to educate his colleagues on what the Permian Basin (as well as the rest of District 11) does as far as the oil and gas industry as well as agriculture.
“There has been an assault or a war waged on those industries,” Pfluger said as he spoke to the media after speaking to his supporters. “It’s very important to represent this district in a way to provide affordable, reliable energy and continue to provide food and let us continue to have the quality of life that Americans are used to.”
Pfluger’s reelection rally came shortly after receiving an endorsement from former President Donald Trump.
“I met with the President (Tuesday) night and he loves this country,” Pfluger said. “He knows what Midland, Texas, does. He knows what Ector County can do. He knows what San Angelo brings to the fire. I’m sorry, but President (Joe) Biden hasn’t even acknowledged our part of the world and last night, President Trump told me thank you for what we do right here in the Permian Basin. That means a lot. And more so than anything else, I want to advocate for the policies that he brought this country that made this country so strong in every sector (and) to have his endorsement is an incredible step towards continuing to serve this district.”
While Pfluger is from San Angelo, he talked about why Odessa and Midland are so important to him.
“This is the heart and soul of the energy industry,” Pfluger said. “It’s not an accident making the announcement in Midland, Texas, because what we do for this country is so important and I want to continue to be a voice, not just for the military, not just for agriculture but for the important energy needs. Energy affects every aspect of our lives and to be able to educate people and to stand up for Midland, Texas, is very important because what we’re doing is literally changing the entire world and we want to continue onto a good path.”
Pfluger won the 2020 U.S. House District 11 election, defeating Democrat Jon Mark Hogg and Libertarian Wacey Alpha Cody, winning 79.7 percent of the vote.
Pfluger cruised to a win in the Republican primary earlier that year, coming ahead of a crowded field of candidates that included Midland’s Brandon Batch and winning 52.2 percent of the vote to avoid a runoff.
He took over the congressional seat that was held by Republican Mike Conaway who did not seek a term in 2020 and retired after serving eight terms.
“It feels great,” Pfluger said of representing District 11. “It’s come by fast. To represent this District, the greatest district in the entire state, it’s an honor. It’s an honor for my wife and it’s an honor to go and represent and be a part of this great experiment that our country for 244 years, has done. Standing in front the flag, it gives me chills to know that there are so many people who have sacrificed their lives so it is a huge honor to represent this district and I hope to continue to serve this district and to do it in a way that we deserve.”
Pfluger has had a busy year in congress, working on numerous pieces of legislation.
“In fact, I was the first freshman this year to introduce legislation and it was about the heart and soul of the energy industry and about what the oil and gas industry does,” Pfluger said. “Just last week, I introduced legislation and there were 100 colleagues that signed on in 24 hours, to make sure that people are focused on what we do and why it’s so important. One little fact that people don’t realize is that the Permian Basin has helped lift a billion people out of poverty worldwide. Not only do we power our own country, but we’re also lifting people out of poverty and that is my job, to communicate and stand up to introduce legislation where needed to make sure we can continue to do that.”
He touched on the theme of the oil and gas industry throughout his speech Wednesday afternoon but also said there was more work to do.
“It is not by accident that today, I’m here in front of everyone,” Pfluger said to his supporters. “It’s not by accident that people like Donald Trump acknowledged what people in Midland and Odessa and this district and the state of Texas do. We have a job to do. We have a very important task to do. … The world needs what the district is producing: affordable, reliable energy,” Pfluger said. Agriculture products that feed not only our country but the rest of the world and a love for the military and veterans and first responders and everyone that is putting their lives at risk. That is what this district represents.”
The 2022 primary elections will take place on March 1 and the general election will be on Nov. 8.
Currently, the Democrats have a majority in the House of Representatives with 221 while the Republicans have 213.
Pfluger is optimistic that will change at the end of next year.
“In 2022, we will take back Congress and keep Texas red,” Pfluger said.
Midland Mayor Patrick Payton gave the introduction.
“There’s not a person in this room that does not need to be reminded of the need for seasoned, hardened and humble leadership in congress,” Payton said. “Our representative carries quite a swagger in Washington D.C.”
