Andy Hopper

Andy Hopper was born in Kansas City, Missouri. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University in 1997 and a graduate degree from the University of North Texas in 2000. Hopper’s career experience includes working as a software engineer, owner of a software consulting firm, and small farmer. He has also worked as a chief warrant officer in the Texas State Guard and as an adjunct professor at the University of North Texas.[1][2][3]

Hopper has been affiliated with the following organizations:[2][3]

Decatur Rotary

Grassroots America

Republican Party of Texas; SD 12 Caucus Chair at 2022 State Convention

Texas State Guard

Trinity Conservative Coalition, co-founder

We the People PAC

Wise County Republican Party

Wise County Conservatives; co-founder

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Andy Hopper owns a small farm in Wise County and serves as a Chief Warrant Officer in the Texas State Guard. He has a Master's degree in Computer Science and has worked in the private sector and defense industry as a software engineer for the last twenty-six years as well as owning his own software consulting firm. Andy and his wife, Amanda, along with their three sons love to spend their weekends camping in state parks and visiting small-town museums around Texas. Andy is running for Texas House District 64 because he believes Texans deserve real solutions and less government.

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?

I believe that Texans should decide what is best for Texas, not unelected federal judges or millions of bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. I will fight to preserve our way of life here in Texas.We are in the midst of an outright invasion of the southern border of Texas, in every way facilitated by our own federal government. Texas must secure its entire southern border.Our "Republican" legislators are unwilling to fight for our RPT priorities, and empower Democrats to promote their agenda by putting them into positions of power in the Texas House. I will fight for our conservative priorities, and will vote to ensure that Republicans lead committees.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The federal government has grown too big, and Texas is enabling them to do so. At the end of each legislative session, Texas cedes more and more power to Washington bureaucrats than they do to the people of Texas.

Texas should not merely be a reflection of the federal government, but should oppose the unconstitutional and invasive abridgements of our natural and constitutional rights by Washington, D.C. We Texans must fight to reassert our sovereignty.

Additionally, the border crisis is being facilitated by the federal government. Texas Military Forces must change to meet the demands of protecting an extensive border with Mexico. The Texas Legislature must meet the challenge of establishing a much larger and more capable state force which can stop the flow of illegal aliens, drugs, and human slaves. Most importantly - we MUST stop the invasion by using Article 1 Section 10 of the U.S. Constitution.

Finally, Texans are losing their homes to skyrocketing property taxes. The Texas Legislature must pass landmark legislation which will begin moving Texas away from the property tax, and towards a consumption tax.

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

Thomas Paine. As a world-famous author, he enlisted in the Contiental Army. His sense of duty was so strong that he took on the yoke of a common soldier to fight for his beliefs.

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

I think that "The 5000 Year Leap: A Miracle That Changed the World," by W. Cleon Skousen is an excellent starting place to understand conservative principles. "The Law" by Frédéric Bastiat, "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine, and "Confrontational Politics" by Senator H.L. Richardson are also among my favorites.

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

A sense of duty: recognizing that service to Texas by representing Texans is the job.

Loyalty: if elected, you are in the position because people believed in you and gave you their trust. Stay true to what you said you would do, what you believe, and don't ever compromise your principles for politics.

Honesty/Integrity: the only way you get to maintain your integrity is being honest with your constituents about your beliefs and your intentions.

Major General "Jake" Betty, a great Texan, always said (and I will always remember):

Do your duty. Take care of your people. Go home with your honor.

That's my philosophy in a nutshell.

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

I am an ardent patriot and believe that is our duty as Texans to stand up for the ideals and the country that our ancestors died for. I believe in my family and my countrymen, and I will stand up for our rights and our conservative values, even if I stand alone.

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

The central function of government, and every representative, is to safeguard the liberties of the people. In order to accomplish this, a Texas representative must be well versed in liberty principles as understood by our American and Texan forebears, including the concept of natural rights and sovereignty, the function of law and the role and authority of government. A Texas representative should be intimately familiar with the Texas and US Constitutions. Finally, they should be able to read and comprehend bills and understand whether language expands or contracts liberty and expands or contracts government.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want my posterity to live free.

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

I remember when Iran released 52 American hostages as Regan took office in 1981.

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

Besides mowing lawns for neighbors, my very first commercial job was working at McDonalds during the summer between my Junior and Senior year of high school.

What is your favorite book? Why?

I can't narrow it down:

Fiction: "Foundation and Empire," by Isaac Asimov "The Hunt for Red October," by Tom Clancy

Non-Fiction: "1776," by David McCullough, "The 5000 Year Leap," by W. Cleon Skousen "Empires of Trust," by Thomas F. Madden

I like books pertaining to the broad sweeps of history and the idea that one man can make a difference for good.

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

James T. Kirk

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

"Our God's Alive" by Andy Cherry

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

It has been hard for me to see our country slide down the slope of open Marxism, and not feeling as though I could do anything about it.

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

I think that ideally all members of the legislature and the governor should be focused on "governing as little as possible," as Sam Houston put it. They would all have the best interest of Texans at heart, and the relationship would be smooth and not characterized by political grandstanding by those seeking higher office or seeking to enrich themselves or their districts at the expense of Texas. The governor would rarely veto legislation, as he would be working closely with the Lieutenant Governor on helping move the priorities for the session forward, and thus bills that come across the Governor's desk would generally be a cooperative effort. Texas's brief legislative session, conducted generally only every other year, provides little room for wasting time on legislation that stops at the Governor's desk.

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

Texas has lost virtually all internal sovereignty to the federal government by a century of rogue federal courts who assert principles in the constitution that is entirely divergent from the intent of that language. Obvious examples included regulation of interstate commerce being used to justify the creation of the Department of Education (note that "regulate" meant "promote" or "equip" rather than the "control" as it is understood today). Thus, the agreement and understanding of the mutually beneficial relationship that the nation of Texas made with the United States in 1845 is nothing like the oppressive relationship that exists today. The taxes that Texans are forced to pay to the Federal government are used to kill babies, against the overwhelming will of Texans, even though no "few and enumerated" power was ever assigned by the people to give Washington D.C. any such jurisdiction. Worse, efforts of Texans to end this barbarous practice have been systematically undone by federal courts, absent of any constitutional language that gives them jurisdiction, and completely ignoring the Tenth Amendment, which assigns all powers not explicitly delegated to the Federal Government to the states or the people. The greatest challenge that will face the Texas Legislature over the next ten years, then, will be to stand in the gap and redefine the working relationship between Texas and Washington.

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

I am of the belief that we have moved away from the original intent of the framers, where principled citizens would serve their neighbors for a time, and then go back to their profession. This service should be borne out of a sense of duty, rather than being a basis for another step in a political career. In other words, I believe that any principled citizen can be as or even more effective than a politician, because they still see what "must be done" rather than being blinded by future political career goals and beholden to lobby money to get re-elected.

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

I believe it is beneficial to endeavor to build relationships with everyone to whom God connects you. Forging personal and working relationships is always beneficial, and can reduce our natural inclinations to disconnect or become hardened at the first hint of conflict. Recognizing the motives, personalities, and background of those in your life is key to making a difference in anything.

That said, becoming too close with "colleagues" raises the risk that a legislator eventually answers to them rather than his constituents. I think there is real risk that Texas Legislators begin to center their worldview in Austin rather than focus on their home district.

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

Matt Rinaldi was one of the most conservative legislators that we've yet had in the Texas House, and he exhibited a unique mixture of optimism, grit, and determination while being smart and vocal regarding our values.

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

No, I have no interest in a political career, and have even less interest in spending any significant amount of time in Washington D.C. At most, I will serve at most 2-4 terms (House has 2-year terms).

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?

Running for office can be humbling as well as very encouraging in the sense that you have first-hand experience with the high quality of human beings that inhabit Texas in general, and our corner in particular. While blockwalking, we've had many folks come out of their homes, lay hands and pray for us. This is always very emotional and fulfilling--it happens just when you need it to!

Perhaps the most touching stories I've heard recently are the many Texans who have been losing their homes or moving due to property taxes. It's staggering to realize how many lives are being turned upside down at this moment, but also encouraging to see how many proud Texans are willing to stand for their beliefs.

Tell us your favorite joke.

I know a man with a wooden leg named Smith.

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

No powers can be granted by any branch of government which defy the Texas Bill of Rights: this is clearly stated in the Disaster Act of 1975. Any power that is granted by any statute to the governor or any agency should absolutely be approved by the legislature. To facilitate this, the legislature should immediately be brought into session when an emergency is declared.

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

JoAnn Fleming wisely stated that "freedom is murdered not in one fatal blow, but by a thousand disloyal cuts." We now live in a post-constitutional Republic because of thousands of compromises on our core principles.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

1) Re-introducing trigger bill to split federal and state elections upon the takeover of election procedures by the federal government.

2) Make all child human trafficking crimes a capital offense.

3) Introduce a variation of 88R/HB20 creating the Texas Border Guard, a full-time 4th branch of the Texas Military Forces permanently operating on the southern border.

4) Tax remittances sent to foreign nations ($>56B, largely from illegals).

5) End in-state tuition for illegals.

6) Mandate E-Verify (or Texas-run substitute) for all employers.

7) Introduce statutory language and companion constitutional amendment that will forever protect parents’ rights to raise and educate their children, with whatever funds at their disposal by whatever means, is forever protected, and that there is a presumption that parents act in the best interest of their children.

8) Introduce statutory language and companion constitutional amendment that will recognizing the unalienable natural right of the people to refuse vaccination. Because this right is unalienable, it cannot be bargained away, and therefore vaccination shall not be made a condition of employment, travel, attending educational institutions, doing business, receiving governmental services, or any other action.

9) Create Texas gold-backed currency to protect Texas against rise of BRICS and CBDCs.

10) End indemnification from liability for employers who require medical procedures of their employees.

11) Term limits for every partisan elected office.

12) Actual second amendment sanctuary bill that will require local and state law enforcement to arrest and prosecute individuals attempting to enforce unconstitutional gun laws in Texas.

.... and so many more

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

I am honored to have received over 100 endorsements from local and grassroots leaders, as well as the endorsements of LTC Allen West, Kyle Rittenhouse, Chad Prather, Debra Medina, Fmr Rep. Kyle Biedermann, and Fmr Rep. Jeff Cason as well as Grassroots America, Texas Freedom Coalition, and West Texas for Life.

What committees interest you?

State Affairs

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Energy Resources

Land & Resource Management

Agriculture & Livestock

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Andy Hopper owns a small farm in Wise County and serves as a Warrant Officer in the Texas State Guard. He has a master’s degree in Computer Science, has taught as an adjunct professor at UNT, and holds a US patent. Andy has worked in the private sector and defense industry as a software engineer for the last twenty-four years and currently owns a software consulting firm. Andy and his wife, Amanda, have homeschooled their three sons and co-founded Wise County Conservatives.

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?

I believe that Texans should decide what is best for Texas, not unelected federal judges or millions of bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. I will fight to preserve our way of life here in Texas.We are in the midst of an outright invasion of the southern border of Texas, in every way facilitated by our own federal government. Texas must secure its entire southern border.Our "Republican" legislators are unwilling to fight for our RPT priorities, and empower Democrats to promote their agenda by putting them into positions of power in the Texas House. I will fight for our conservative priorities, and will vote to ensure that Republicans lead committees.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Over 600 bills were passed by the 87th Legislature, and a large percentage of the language merely moved federal laws and regulations into Texas statute. Texas should not merely be a reflection of the federal government, but should oppose the unconstitutional and invasive abridgements of our natural and constitutional rights by Washington, D.C. We Texans must fight to reassert our sovereignty as expressed by Article 1, Section 1 of the Texas Constitution.

As well, in the midst of a border invasion facilitated by the federal government, the Texas Military Forces must change to meet the demands of protecting an extensive border with Mexico. The Texas Legislature must meet the challenge of establishing a much larger and more capable state force which can stop the flow of illegal aliens, drugs, and human slaves.

Texans by the thousands are losing their jobs due to medical mandates. The Texas Legislature must protect the rights of Texans against being forced to undergo a medical procedure that they do not want. At the same time, Texans are losing their homes to skyrocketing property taxes. The Texas Legislature must pass landmark legislation which will begin moving Texas away from the property tax, and towards a consumption tax.

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

Thomas Paine. As a world-famous author, he enlisted in the Contiental Army. His sense of duty was so strong that he took on the yoke of a common soldier to fight for his beliefs.

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

I think that "The 5000 Year Leap: A Miracle That Changed the World," by W. Cleon Skousen is an excellent starting place to understand conservative principles. "The Law" by Frédéric Bastiat, "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine, and "Confrontational Politics" by Senator H.L. Richardson are also among my favorites.

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

A sense of duty: recognizing that service to Texas by representing Texans is the job.

Loyalty: if elected, you are in the position because people believed in you and gave you their trust. Stay true to what you said you would do, what you believe, and don't ever compromise your principles for politics.

Honesty/Integrity: the only way you get to maintain your integrity is being honest with your constituents about your beliefs and your intentions.

Major General "Jake" Betty, a great Texan, always said (and I will always remember):

"Do your duty. Take care of your people. Go home with your honor."

That's my philosophy in a nutshell.

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

I am an ardent patriot and believe that is our duty as Texans to stand up for the ideals and the country that our ancestors died for. I believe in my family and my countrymen, and I will stand up for our rights and our conservative values, even if I stand alone.

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

The central function of government, and every representative, is to safeguard the liberties of the people. In order to accomplish this, a Texas representative must be well versed in liberty principles as understood by our American and Texan forebears, including the concept of natural rights and sovereignty, the function of law and the role and authority of government. A Texas representative should be intimately familiar with the Texas and US Constitutions. Finally, they should be able to read and comprehend bills and understand whether language expands or contracts liberty and expands or contracts government.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want my posterity to live free.

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

I remember when The Empire Strikes Back came out in theaters. I was three.

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

Besides mowing lawns for neighbors, my very first commercial job was working at McDonalds during the summer between my Junior and Senior year of high school.

What is your favorite book? Why?

I can't narrow it down:

Fiction: "Foundation and Empire," by Isaac Asimov "The Hunt for Red October," by Tom Clancy

Non-Fiction: "1776," by David McCullough, "The 5000 Year Leap," by W. Cleon Skousen "Empires of Trust," by Thomas F. Madden

I like books pertaining to the broad sweeps of history and the idea that one man can make a difference for good.

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

James T. Kirk

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

Lead Me to the Cross by Francesca Battistelli

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

It has been hard for me to see our country slide down the slope of open Marxism, and not feeling as though I could do anything about it.

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

I think that ideally all members of the legislature and the governor should be focused on "governing as little as possible," as Sam Houston put it. They would all have the best interest of Texans at heart, and the relationship would be smooth and not characterized by political grandstanding by those seeking higher office or seeking to enrich themselves or their districts at the expense of Texas. The governor would rarely veto legislation, as he would be working closely with the Lieutenant Governor on helping move the priorities for the session forward, and thus bills that come across the Governor's desk would generally be a cooperative effort. Texas's brief legislative session, conducted generally only every other year, provides little room for wasting time on legislation that stops at the Governor's desk.

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

Texas has lost virtually all internal sovereignty to the federal government by a century of rogue federal courts who assert principles in the constitution that is entirely divergent from the intent of that language. Obvious examples included regulation of interstate commerce being used to justify the creation of the Department of Education (note that "regulate" meant "promote" or "equip" rather than the "control" as it is understood today). Thus, the agreement and understanding of the mutually beneficial relationship that the nation of Texas made with the United States in 1845 is nothing like the oppressive relationship that exists today. The taxes that Texans are forced to pay to the Federal government are used to kill babies, against the overwhelming will of Texans, even though no "few and enumerated" power was ever assigned by the people to give Washington D.C. any such jurisdiction. Worse, efforts of Texans to end this barbarous practice have been systematically undone by federal courts, absent of any constitutional language that gives them jurisdiction, and completely ignoring the Tenth Amendment, which assigns all powers not explicitly delegated to the Federal Government to the states or the people. The greatest challenge that will face the Texas Legislature over the next ten years, then, will be to stand in the gap and redefine the working relationship between Texas and Washington.

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

I do not believe that a unicameral legislature would be suitable for a state as large as Texas, with deeply rural and urban voice. As well, one of the great challenges to representation for Texans is the ratio of legislators to represented Texans. Currently, one member of the Texas House represents over 200K Texans, and getting the attention of your representative may seem daunting to Texans that are not steeped in politics. It is imperative that we keep districts as small as possible to allow proper representation.

At the same time, Texas is a unique state in that it has a very profound rural and urban population. While Texas has a half-dozen large urban centers, it has scores of medium-sized cities in rural areas. Each house district may represent a fairly small cross-section of Texas, and thus the rural vs urban interests may be lost in various districts. Having large Senate Districts that reach out into rural areas has the effect balancing rural vs urban interests.

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

I am of the belief that we have moved away from the original intent of the framers, where principled citizens would serve their neighbors for a time, and then go back to their profession. This service should be borne out of a sense of duty, rather than being a basis for another step in a political career. In other words, I believe that any principled citizen can be as or even more effective than a politician, because they still see what "must be done" rather than being blinded by future political career goals.

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

I believe it is beneficial to endeavor to build relationships with everyone to whom God connects you. Forging personal and working relationships is always beneficial, and can reduce our natural inclinations to disconnect or become hardened at the first hint of conflict. Recognizing the motives, personalities, and background of those in your life is key to making a difference in anything.

That said, becoming too close with "colleagues" raises the risk that a legislator eventually answers to them rather than his constituents. I think there is real risk that Texas Legislators begin to center their worldview in Austin rather than focus on their home district.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

As a software engineer, I believe that establishing districts that equalize populations and establish regularized geographic regions that align to political, geographic, or road boundaries when possible is a trivial geospatial algorithmic challenge. We should just agree on an algorithm and use it regardless of what party is in power. It would seem that the political fallout on the accusations of gerrymandering often outweighs the political benefits.

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

State Affairs

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Energy Resources

Land & Resource Management

Agriculture & Livestock

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

Matt Rinaldi was one of the most conservative legislators that we've yet had in the Texas House, and he exhibited a unique mixture of optimism, grit, and determination while being smart and vocal regarding our values.

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

No, I have no interest in a political career, and have even less interest in spending any significant amount of time in Washington D.C. At most, I will serve at most 2-4 terms (House has 2-year terms) and then give someone else an opportunity to serve.

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?

Running for office can be humbling as well as very encouraging in the sense that you have first-hand experience with the high quality of human beings that inhabit Texas in general, and our corner in particular. While blockwalking, we've had many folks come out of their homes, lay hands a