Voices from the Hill Country

Senator Sarah Eckhardt, running for Texas Comptroller, discusses the role of the comptroller's office, corporate tax breaks (including data center sales tax exemptions), no‑bid contracts, education funding, and the growing voucher program, and answers audience questions about how these policies affect schools, infrastructure, and public finances.
Surprise guest Merrie Fox, candidate for Texas House District 73, also speaks briefly. The episode was recorded at the Let’s Talk Canyon Lake event at the Ty Preston Memorial Library.

Get to know Jon Rosenthal, a mechanical engineer, former oil-and-gas professional and four‑term state representative, who discusses his campaign for Railroad Commissioner, the statewide office that oversees oil, gas, pipelines and parts of Texas’ energy infrastructure.
He explains his priorities—natural gas weatherization and grid reliability, ending routine flaring, addressing orphan wells and water pollution, protecting property rights, and making the commission more accessible—while contrasting his practical, engineering-focused approach with his Republican opponents.

On this episode of Voices from the Hill Country, Adam West visits the first Last Wednesday Wild West Connection Happy Hour at the Screaming Goat Yard & Tap in Spring Branch (March 29) and interviews attendees about the issues that matter to them — from local concerns like water, development, and education to national topics such as the presidency, voting rights, and foreign policy.
You'll hear candid perspectives from neighbors and community members, with a note that new recording equipment was used, so audio quality may vary. Join the conversation and learn more about upcoming events and local engagement efforts.

In this episode of Voices from the Hill Country, host Adam West interviews Clayton Tucker, a family farmer and candidate for Texas Agriculture Commissioner. Tucker shares his background, experience as a water researcher and food-policy advocate, and why he’s running.They discuss the wide scope of the Ag Commissioner’s office and Tucker’s priorities: breaking up corporate middlemen to lower food costs, protecting water and rural communities, reducing harmful chemicals and microplastics in food, supporting family and young farmers, reshoring school food sourcing, and regulating data centers and monopoly behavior.The conversation covers practical policy ideas like regenerative agriculture, stronger enforcement on right-to-repair and hemp protections, rural health, and steps the Ag Commissioner can take to make Texas agriculture more resilient and affordable.

Voices From the Hill Country presents another Meet the Candidates episode with an interview with Dr. Merrie Fox, candidate for Texas House District 73, recorded on the first day of early voting. Host Adam West and Dr. Fox discuss public education and vouchers, school accountability, water and infrastructure in the Hill Country, immigration, women’s health care, and economic challenges facing local families.
This short episode gives voters an overview of Dr. Fox’s background as a longtime educator, her policy priorities, and how to learn more or get involved with her campaign.
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Host Adam West interviews Dr. Kristin Hook, Democratic candidate for Texas’ 21st Congressional District, in an episode recorded the day after the Dilley detention protest. They discuss the recent detention of a five-year-old and his father, calls for accountability and oversight, and the broader immigration concerns driving local activism.
Dr. Hook draws on her background as a scientist, former teacher, and federal public servant to outline her priorities: government accountability, workers’ rights and unions, affordable health care, protecting reproductive rights, ethical AI and technology guardrails, and strengthening public education and voting access. Listeners are encouraged to learn more and get involved.

In this episode of Voices from the Hill Country, host Adam West interviews Gary Taylor, a retired math teacher and Democratic candidate for the Texas 21st Congressional District. Taylor explains his progressive, New Deal–inspired platform, focusing on protecting and strengthening Social Security, reforming healthcare, investing in public education, and building an economy that works for everyone.
Taylor also discusses outreach to non-voters and Republicans, the challenges of working with state and federal politics, and his book, An Economy for All, outlining practical steps to unite communities and improve livelihoods ahead of the primary and midterm elections.

On this return episode of Voices From the Hill Country, Your Future, Your Vote, we get to know Dr. Regina Vanburg, a first-time candidate for Texas Congressional District 21. She discusses her background as a clinical psychologist and lays out priorities for protecting community resources and democratic access.
Dr. Vanburg highlights three core goals — protect our wealth, protect our water, and protect our vote — and talks solutions like tax reform, defending public water resources, voter-rights protections, and expanding healthcare access. Voter reminders: last day to register is Monday, February 2; early voting begins Tuesday, February 17th; mail-in ballot applications must be received by Friday, February 20th; last day of early voting is Friday, February 27th; election day is Tuesday, March 3rd.