Brian Sprague

Brian Sprague was born in Loveland, Colorado. He served in the U.S. Army from 2002 to 2008. He earned an associate degree from Westwood College in 2013. His career experience includes working as a mechanic, entrepreneur, and horse trainer.[1]

Sprague has been affiliated with the following organizations:[1]

Knights of Columbus

Disabled American Veterans

American Veterans

Veterans of Foreign Wars

Tarrant County Republican Hispanic Assembly

Video for [the profile publisher]

Video submitted to BallotpediaReleased September 9, 2025

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am running for Congress because I believe Washington has lost sight of the people who actually build, grow, repair, transport, and sustain this country. We have enormous work ahead of us: housing costs are out of reach for too many families, agriculture is under increasing pressure, and corporate consolidation has pushed deeper into farming, lumber, housing, and other parts of everyday life.

I believe our economy should reward work, ownership, production, and local enterprise. Banks should serve depositors, homeowners, and businesses—not treat every relationship as another opportunity to extract fees and maximize profit. Farmers, tradespeople, small businesses, veterans, and working families deserve a government that protects fair competition and does not reserve opportunity for the largest corporations.

I am not running to preserve the status quo. I am running to challenge systems that no longer serve ordinary Americans, restore accountability, and bring practical problem-solving back to Congress. My focus is simple: make it easier to build a life, own a home, run a business, raise a family, and pass something meaningful on to the next generation.

Together we can Save America’s Future!

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?

My first priority is reducing the influence of Wall Street and large corporate interests on the cost of everyday life. I want to address how consolidation and financial pressure affect lumber, agriculture, housing, and Main Street businesses. I also support stronger requirements for companies with more than $100 million in annual revenue, with a greater focus on product quality, long-term investment, workforce stability, and responsible treatment of employees rather than short-term shareholder returns alone. The goal is a more competitive economy that rewards productive businesses, local ownership, and durable value.Medicare for All is not free healthcare; it shifts the cost to taxpayers and risks replacing high premiums with higher taxes and reduced provider reimbursement. I support attacking the actual cost of care instead: cap excessive healthcare charges, limit Big Pharma profits on lifesaving drugs through mandated sale prices, require upfront pricing, establish site-neutral payments, and expand the physician workforce. I also believe we can fund additional free clinics operated by regional and county hospitals, providing accessible primary and preventive care without creating an entirely new national single-payer system.America’s housing crisis is bigger than interest rates. Our system has made homes more expensive to finance, build, and maintain while rewarding financial engineering over durable ownership. I want to reduce Wall Street’s role in housing, reform the secondary mortgage market, raise construction and lumber quality standards, create a transparent federal baseline building code that every American can read for free, and challenge local rules that prevent smaller starter homes. Housing policy should make it easier for working families to buy a safe, well-built first home—not turn mortgages, materials, and building standards into vehicles for extracting more profit.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The public policy I am most passionate about is rebuilding an economy that serves working families before financial extraction. That means confronting Wall Street’s influence over housing, lumber, agriculture, healthcare, and Main Street; lowering the real cost of homes and medical care; protecting competition; expanding access to free and affordable care; and holding large corporations accountable for quality, workforce stability, and long-term investment. I believe government should reward production, ownership, craftsmanship, and work—not systems that make basic necessities more expensive while concentrating wealth and control.

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

Congressman Thomas Massey, he speaks truth and didn’t play party games, it cost him his seat, but we need more representatives like him.

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

Honesty and transparency, and willing to stand on their own ethics and morals and not just party whims.

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

The core responsibility of a US Congressman is to be the elected representative for all 775k constituents regardless of party affiliation.

What legacy would you like to leave?

The only legacy that is important is the one that makes American lives better and helps grow middle class wealth.

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

My first job was cleaning kennels and stocking food at a veterinary clinic in slScottsbluff Nebraska.

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

In 2010 it seemed like $50k a year and my family would be set, then in 2015 it was $70k now in 2026 my wife and I take home $96k and we are barely making it. It’s by design and has been codified since 1963 and updated over and over.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

It is the sole place that laws and regulation stem from. And yet Congress over the last 60 years has repeatedly decided to give away their article 1 powers to unelected bureaucrats and doing it through vague bills, that also bury pet projects, and loop holes to benefit corporations all in the same multi thousand page bills at midnight - the dreaded omnibus bill.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

It’s corporate consolidation and reliance. We are squeezing farmers and ranchers out of ownership, then after they sell a crop high frequency trading inflates the cost before it hits the shelves. And with white labeling half the products on a shelf you’re looking at are the same thing.

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

Yes, if we stick to party lines we are doomed. We have to toss aside party loyalty and reinstate American loyalty.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

I am not accepting money with strings so my endorsements are from working class people and many of the precinct chairs in Tarrant county. I will let the incumbent I am running against keep all his establishment endorsements. I am not running for endorsements. I am running to save America from bad policy and a business and economic situation that started in 1963

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

Columbine was the first world shattering event and then 2 years later 9/11

Note: Sprague submitted the above survey responses to [the profile publisher] on September 27, 2026.

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September 10 submission

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Brian James Sprague is a U.S. Army combat veteran, entrepreneur, and lifelong Republican running for Congress in Texas’s 12th district. Born in Loveland, Colorado, and raised in Nebraska, Sprague enlisted in the Army Military Police in 2002. He served with the 127th MP Detachment at Fort Knox, the 55th MP Company in South Korea, and the 92nd MP Company in Germany, including a combat tour at FOB Kalsu in Iraq. He earned multiple medals, including the Combat Action Badge.

After his military service, Sprague launched businesses in automotive repair, equine training, and media. He founded the Texas Music Chart, Texas Country Today Radio, and Texas Country Music News, building one of the largest independent music media networks in Texas. His podcast and radio show reach hundreds of stations nationwide.

In 2025, Sprague launched his grassroots congressional campaign after what he describes as a spiritual calling. A devout Catholic and staunch conservative, he has never voted outside the Republican Party. His platform focuses on transparency, trade reform, and protecting the American middle class. He is running under the banner “BS4Texas” to bring integrity and accountability back to Congress.

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?

Washington isn’t broken—it’s bought. I’m running to end lobbyist influence in Congress once and for all. We must ban members from trading stocks, eliminate backroom deals, and force full transparency in campaign contributions, votes, and committee decisions. If elected, I’ll introduce legislation that shines a light on corruption and shuts the revolving door between Congress and K Street. The American people deserve a government that works for them, not the highest bidder. It's time to Make Congress Honest Again.The middle class is vanishing under predatory banking and unchecked Wall Street greed. I’ll fight to reinstate strict regulation of big banks, repeal the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, and abolish the Federal Reserve. In its place, I propose a Hamilton National Reserve—a publicly accountable institution that protects the dollar, strengthens small banks, and ends speculative abuse. It's time to put working Americans before hedge funds and bring back stability for families, farmers, and small businesses.America doesn’t have a revenue problem—we have a waste problem. Nowhere is that clearer than the military-industrial complex, where contractors are paid triple what enlisted soldiers earn to do the same jobs. I will audit military spending, slash overpriced contracts, and ensure taxpayer dollars go to defense—not grift. Cutting waste doesn’t mean cutting strength—it means putting our troops, not war profiteers, first. Let’s end abuse of our budget and restore accountability across all federal agencies.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I believe Congress has been bought and paid for by corporate interests, and that corruption is quietly normalized. I’m passionate about launching a modern transparency revolution—like we saw after Watergate, but even bigger. I’m one of the few candidates willing to take on Big Pharma and Big Banking head-on. I want to restore public trust, end insider corruption, and build a system where the middle class has a voice again. That means breaking the grip of lobbyists, forcing accountability in public spending, and creating a future where everyday Americans—not corporations—set the national agenda.

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

Collectively, I look up to the Founders of this nation—not just the well-known figures, but the many individuals behind the scenes who helped shape the United States. They didn’t agree on everything—in fact, they disagreed on nearly everything—but they still came together to create the most powerful and free country the world has ever known. It was an imperfect idea built by imperfect people, and yet it’s endured for nearly 250 years. That level of courage, compromise, and conviction is something I deeply admire and try to emulate.

On a personal level, I look up to my father, who passed away four years ago. He wasn’t highly educated, and he didn’t say much—but he didn’t need to. His actions spoke louder than words. No matter what life threw at him, he faced it head-on and built a life for his family through quiet resilience and sheer willpower. Even during the hardest times, I never worried, because I trusted him completely. That’s the kind of trust I want to build with the American people. Things may get rough. We may face uncertainty. But if we stay the course with honesty, strength, and purpose—just like my dad did—then I believe we’ll come through stronger than ever.

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

Elected officials must be loyal to the people they serve—not to lobbyists, parties, or personal ambition. They are not elected to rule, but to represent. That means listening, staying grounded in their communities, and carrying a deep sense of duty to act on behalf of their constituents. Honesty is essential—not just about policy, but intent. True leaders must have the courage to admit when they’re wrong and the humility to accept consequences when they put their beliefs ahead of the people’s will. Public office isn’t a possession—it’s a responsibility.

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

The core responsibility of a U.S. Representative is to give their district a real and unapologetic voice at the federal level. This isn’t about personal power or ego—it’s about stewardship. The seat belongs to the people, not the person holding it. A true representative must understand that their personal beliefs should come second to the needs, priorities, and values of their constituents. What matters most is their unwavering sense of duty, honor, and humility for the position they’ve been entrusted with.

Representatives must be deeply engaged with the people they serve—not just during campaign season, but every single day. They should listen more than they speak, and act only after taking into account the diverse needs of their district. That means fighting for laws that benefit the district, repealing or reforming outdated ones, and ensuring no regulation or federal action leaves their people behind. A representative must be loyal to their district to a fault—not to a political party, a donor base, or their own career.

Beyond lawmaking, Representatives are responsible for the federal budget, and every year they fail to pass one, they fail the country. It's not just a technical duty—it's a reflection of Congress’s ability to function. Representatives also serve on committees, where the real detail work of government happens: oversight, investigation, and the crafting of legislation that shapes everything from national security to healthcare. But perhaps the most important duty is the ability to form coalitions—across parties, ideologies, and backgrounds—to make real change possible. Division gets headlines, but unity gets results. A great Representative builds bridges, not just platforms.

Above all, a Representative must remember they are not elevated above the people—they are elevated by the people. That difference matters. And it should guide every vote they cast.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I’m not someone who thinks much about legacy in the traditional sense. I didn’t get into this to build a name for myself—I got into it because I felt called to serve. But if I’m remembered for anything, I hope it’s this: that I kept my promise to be a true representative of the people. That I brought transparency and honesty back to Congress, even if just in the corner I was entrusted with. That I fought for working families, for fairness, and for a system that finally starts putting the people ahead of politics.

If I can pass even one law that makes life better for the people of Texas—and by extension, America—then I’ll consider my time in office a success. My goal isn’t to become a celebrity or a career politician. It’s to be a steady hand, a voice of reason, and someone people could trust to tell the truth, even when it was hard. I hope my legacy is measured in lives improved, not headlines made.

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

The first historical event I clearly remember was the Columbine High School shooting in 1999. I was a freshman at Scottsbluff Senior High School in Nebraska—just one state away—and around 14 or 15 years old. I remember being sent home from school that day, even though we weren’t in immediate danger. That moment left a lasting impact—not just because of the tragedy, but because of how much it changed our country.

Years later, in 2003, while serving on the Special Reaction Team at Fort Knox and training with local and federal police forces, I saw firsthand how Columbine had transformed law enforcement doctrine. Before Columbine, the approach was to contain and negotiate. After Columbine, terms like “active shooter” and “direct to threat” became standard. It changed how police respond, how schools operate, how mental health is treated—and it still shapes our society today. What struck me most was that one event could trigger decades of reform, reflection, and unfortunately, repeated tragedy. It was a turning point in how we view public safety in America.

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

My very first job was at Pioneer Animal Clinic, where I worked for two years while still in school. I started after class on Wednesdays through Fridays from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and worked full weekends from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. My responsibilities included restocking hay for large animals, cleaning boarding kennels, maintaining dog food inventory, and handling euthanized animals with dignity and care to ensure proper disposal. I assisted in the birthing of cattle and other livestock, and made myself available to anyone in the clinic who needed a hand. It was hard work—physically and emotionally—and it taught me the value of responsibility, humility, and showing up no matter how difficult the task. That job laid the foundation for my work ethic and commitment to service.

What is your favorite book? Why?

My favorite book is The Centennial History of the Civil War by Bruce Catton. I’ve always felt drawn to the Civil War—not just because of personal family ties to that era, but because of the enduring question it represents: how could a nation of brothers and cousins come to all-out war with itself? As an adult, I now see it as both a national tragedy and a scholarly mirror—something I often use as a litmus test to evaluate how far we’ve come, or how far we may be straying.

While I’ve read and appreciate the works of James McPherson (Battle Cry of Freedom, Ordeal by Fire, This Mighty Scourge), Shelby Foote’s The Civil War: A Narrative, and the Oxford History of the United States series, it’s Catton’s writing style that keeps me coming back. He blends historical analysis with a narrative voice that is readable and powerful. That said, I’m rarely reading novels. You’re more likely to find me studying old legislation or technical manuals than fiction. But when I do return to history, Catton reminds me why it still matters.

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

I’ll admit, this isn’t a question I’ve ever really thought about—but if I had to choose, I’d say Haymitch Abernathy from The Hunger Games. He’s a deeply flawed man, caught in the aftermath of trauma, just trying to survive. But when the time came to help someone else—when he saw a spark of hope in another—he found purpose again. He wasn’t able to escape his darkness alone, but he found his way out through service to another.

That resonates with me. I’ve faced my own battles, and while I’m proud of who I am and what I’ve been through, I know what it’s like to carry invisible wounds. Like Haymitch, I’ve found strength through service—through standing up and fighting for others, even when it’s hard. If that’s the arc of a fictional character, I’ll take it. Because it’s not about being perfect—it’s about surviving, showing up, and doing something that matters.

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

One of the biggest struggles in my life has been living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after serving in the U.S. Army. I enlisted right out of high school with every intention of making the military my lifelong career. But war has a way of rewriting your plans. PTSD doesn’t always show itself in obvious ways. On the outside, everything might seem normal. Even on the inside, most days feel manageable. But it’s like living with a quiet, relentless storm—a weight that demands to be fed, and if you're not careful, it chips away at who you are.

Some of my friends didn’t make it out of that storm. They became shells of who they once were, and some never found their way back. Their loss weighs heavy, but it also gave me strength—to survive, to speak honestly about mental health, and to keep pushing forward. I may carry injuries both seen and unseen, but my spirit remains unbroken. Every day I’m still standing, I consider it a victory—and a reminder of why I keep fighting for those who feel they can’t.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The U.S. House of Representatives is unique in the structure of our government because it was specifically designed to be the most direct and responsive branch to the American people. Of all federal institutions, it is the one meant to reflect the will, needs, and concerns of citizens in real time. Members are elected every two years, forcing them to remain in constant communication with their districts. That frequency of accountability is intentional—it prevents long-term political entrenchment and reinforces the idea that Representatives are servants of the people, not rulers over them.

What truly makes the House distinct is its scale and structure. With 435 members divided by population across the states, each district has a dedicated voice. This means rural communities, inner cities, suburbs, and everything in between can be heard in the federal process. The House is where new ideas, urgent grievances, and grassroots movements first enter the legislative conversation. It controls the power of the purse, originates all spending bills, and sets the tone for national priorities. The House is where the nation’s heartbeat is meant to be measured—and if functioning properly, it's where the voice of the average American is amplified.

By contrast, the U.S. Senate was designed to be a deliberative body representing the interests of state governments rather than individual citizens. Originally, Senators were selected by state legislatures, creating a chamber that could act as a stabilizing, long-term counterbalance to the faster-moving, more emotion-driven House. This structure was key to maintaining a balance between federal power and state sovereignty. The Senate was meant to think in terms of decades, not news cycles. Senators had a duty to the state as a whole.

That changed with the ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment in 1913, which shifted Senate elections to the general public. While this gave voters more control, it came

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes and no. Some prior government experience can be beneficial—it can help a Representative understand procedure, navigate committees, and avoid unnecessary learning curves. But too often, it also brings baggage: entanglements with lobbyists, entrenched party politics, and a tendency to “go along to get along.” I believe the House of Representatives should be made up of people who are educated, articulate, principled, and bold enough to put forward a clear platform and defend it in front of voters.

You don’t need to be a career politician to serve the people. You need integrity, vision, and the ability to communicate effectively. The Constitution doesn’t require a résumé in politics—it requires a connection to the people. Anyone who feels they can do better, who believes in something greater than themselves, should feel empowered to run and represent their community. That’s what the House was built for.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Over the next decade, I believe the greatest threat facing the United States is not a foreign adversary—but our own inaction. If nothing changes, the middle class will erode beyond recognition. Analytical data—not speculation—shows that individuals and families in the 50th percentile will be priced out of homeownership, healthy food access, and even basic services. The American middle class is projected to shrink by 2–3% year over year. This isn’t a trend—it’s a slow unraveling of the foundation our country was built on.

At the same time, our farming communities are disappearing. Deregulation in banking and agriculture has made it nearly impossible for small, family-owned farms to compete, and corporate consolidation has pushed food production into the hands of a few. Wealth inequality continues to surge, with the top 10% holding more than 70% of all wealth, and the middle third shrinking into financial uncertainty.

We also face a national education system that’s fallen far behind other developed nations. We’re failing to prepare our youth not just academically, but for life—offering neither the skills for modern trades nor the values of community, responsibility, and civic duty. Socially, families are forming later in life, fewer Americans are having children, and more kids are being raised outside stable households. These cultural shifts have consequences—economically, emotionally, and socially.

Each of these challenges is serious on its own—but taken together, they form a crisis. And yet Congress continues to delay, deflect, and distract. The greatest threat we face isn’t just economic or cultural—it’s institutional paralysis. The inability or unwillingness of our federal government to correct course may be the single biggest challenge of our time. We need bold, honest leadership that’s willing to tell the truth, confront corruption, and build a future where the American Dream still exists—for everyone, not just the top 10%.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

I believe the Founders got it about 90% right with the two-year term for members of the House of Representatives. Their goal was to ensure that Representatives remained directly accountable to the people—closely tied to public sentiment, local needs, and the fast-moving challenges of everyday life. But I also believe they could never have envisioned the massive secondary industry that would emerge around campaigning. Today, Representatives are expected to start their next campaign the day after they’re sworn in. Fundraising, media appearances, and party demands often overwhelm the actual work of governing.

The Founders likely dreamed of a world with faster communication—maybe even something like the internet—but it’s doubtful they anticipated nonstop political noise, permanent campaigns, and billion-dollar media machines. That’s why I believe we need modern term reforms that reflect today’s political reality. My ideal structure would lengthen House terms to four years and shorten Senate terms to three, with a firm 12-year total limit in either chamber. The current imbalance has turned Senators—who were once selected by state legislatures—into long-term power players with less accountability and more influence, while the House, despite having more legislative authority in theory, is often treated like a stepping stone.

Two-year terms work well in theory, but not in practice when lawmakers have to constantly chase donor dollars and media exposure just to stay competitive. We need a structure that preserves responsiveness, but also gives Representatives enough time to govern effectively without immediately reverting to campaign mode. It’s time to update the system without compromising its original intent.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

When the Constitution was written, I don’t believe the Founders ever envisioned the U.S. House of Representatives—the “People’s House”—as a lifelong career. In fact, the opposite seems true. Early members of Congress weren’t even paid, and historical letters show many had to ensure their personal affairs were in order before they left to serve. The idea was clear: serve your country, then return home. But once salaries were introduced, politics slowly became a profession instead of a duty—and the culture in Washington changed with it.

I strongly support term limits. I believe U.S. Senators should be limited to two 6-year terms, and members of the House of Representatives should be limited to six 2-year terms. But I would go even further. I support an Article V constitutional amendment that would rebalance those terms—shortening a Senate term to 3 years and extending a House term to 4 years. In that framework, no member of Congress would serve more than 12 years total, regardless of chamber.

Congress should never be about seniority, personal wealth, or entrenchment. It should be about public service, fresh ideas, and accountability to the people. Term limits would force Congress to stay grounded in the needs of the nation, not the desires of incumbents. That’s the kind of change I’m commi