Jeremy Bravo

Jeremy Bravo (independent) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Texas' 31st Congressional District. He did not appear on the ballot for the general election on November 3, 2020.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I've dedicated my life to helping all people using the momentum of change for growth and improvement. Throughout my experience across various sectors, I've always led with conviction, courage, and has never been afraid to challenge the status quo. I admittedly was not an active voter, and had no congressional aspirations at the start of 2019.

I was one of the majority of Americans who didn't believe in the rhetoric of politicians today, which led me into uncharted territory during this election cycle. I was originally a Republican, and found common ground with both parties and filed as a Democratic Candidate on July 8th, 2019. I terminated my campaign in September, citing fundamental ideological differences from both parties. I made the decision to refile as an Independent Candidate in the 2020 election cycle with a premise of representing all Americans.

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?

All people need representation not just one party. Together for Texas Cutting through the red tape of partisanship.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

American policy shouldn't be defined by a particular partisan platform. People should define policy. Eliminating bureaucracy and inefficiencies, seeking term limits amongst representatives, and allowing for more control in the hands of the citizens are a few ideals I feel strongly the American Political system has to get back to.

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

Personally, I look up to my mother. Not only did she fight to get where she is in life, but made me the man I am today.

I'd like to follow the example of George Washington who believed in putting America first above political gain and interest. Looking back hundreds of years later it's easy for any American to realize his Political Ideals were centuries ahead of his time. I would be immensely honored to have people look back on today and say something similar of me.

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

I really enjoyed Brene Brown's - Daring Greatly. Ultimately doing anything in this life requires courage in a world that never enough dominates. You have to be vulnerable, and uncomfortable in order to challenge the status quo and create change to bring Americans together for a cause bigger than any one of us alone.

For me, I fundamentally believe that we're at a place in this country where the status quo is the norm. I haven't been an active voter because I didn't believe in the person I was voting for at that time. I think about that a lot as it relates to connecting with people that may have different ideas, and having the humility to learn something from everyone I interact with daily.

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

Americans are yearning for a leader with the integrity to tell the truth, the ability to listen to the contrasting points of view with the intent to come to common ground on an issue, and someone who is fully committed to listening, and learning from the constituency.

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

I dedicated my life to bringing people together using the momentum of change for growth and improvement. Throughout my experience across various sectors,I've always led with conviction, courage, and have never been afraid to challenge the status quo. I believe to be a member of the U.S. House of Representatives these qualities are paramount.

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

To not forget that being elected to office is not a pedestal for self-promotion, it's a public service for the PEOPLE.

"WE THE PEOPLE..." the first three words of the United States Constitution which means we're representing ALL PEOPLE.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want my legacy to be predicated on being a change agent who embraced ideas from ALL people while seeing beyond party lines to "UNITE" the United States of America.

We live in a divisive America today that I don't want my children growing up in. "Unity is Strength", and we have to balance ego with humility to come together as Americans for the greater good of humanity.

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 remember was the Challenger explosion that happened on January 28,1986. I was 8 years old at the time of the explosion.

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

I spent 3 years self employed mowing lawns for the neighbors as I was too young to seek formal employment.

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

The U.S. House of Representatives has the unique ability of being comprised of members who represent a specific area of people, this allows them the greatest close connection to their constituency.

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

No, I believe the U.S. House of Representatives should be representative of our nations diversity. I believe that experience in politics is nothing in compared to the experiences of the consistency, and having experiences that allow me to relate to the people I serve and represent is of far greater value.

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

The United States suffers greatly at the present time form two strong dominant parties whose belief systems are polar opposites. The American people do not need two choices to chose from. The answer to every issue isn't always left or right but rather something in the middle. Giving that middle ground room to breathe and develop into something that can stand up to the overshadowing extremes we hear about today in the media is the next great battle I know our nation will overcome.

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

Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Appropriations.

Defense Subcommittee on Appropriations

Committee on Education and Labor

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

No, while I would strongly like to see term limits I think that a term should be moved to 3 years to allow for a greater traction from the representative in representing his or her Congressional District. Much like high school, Freshman year is about learning the ropes and is often not when Congressional Representatives make our biggest impact. If you take that first year out of a first time Congressional Representative then that leaves only 365 days to make a difference, and with current term limits most politicians including an incumbent spend the better part of that second year campaigning. Longer terms in short, to me mean more time for the representative to actually be representing.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

Term limits would counterbalance incumbent advantages, ensure we have congressional turnover, securing independent congressional judgment, and reducing any type of election-related incentives for any type of wasteful government spending. So I'm in favor of term limits.

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

Yes, I would be interested in joining Committee Leadership. I wouldn't be opposed to serving in multiple committees using the voice of the constituency as a sounding board to ensure we have fruitful discussions on relevant topics in todays world.

Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Appropriations.

Defense Subcommittee on Appropriations

Committee on Education and Labor

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

Abraham Lincoln, who was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives in Illinois' 7th Congressional District from 1847-1849.

I'm a believer that as Americans when we come together for a cause bigger than any one of us we're unbeatable as a nation. Abraham Lincoln modeled his staff on a premise of Principle Symmetry where he had a bipartisan team in order to drive change in a manner that would benefit all people.

I know this is different in today's America but my staff is made up of American's that span across all political ideologies. This diversity is a strength of my team, and allows different perspectives on issues discussed representatives of the U.S. House of Representatives as a whole.

Both sitting representatives 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?

Yes, I was in Killeen,TX during the summer to visit a homeless facility that had shutdown. I had a rule for this visit (no media). I had the opportunity to interact with the police, the residents, and volunteers.

We all shared personal stories from our lives, and how we've had to rise after falling down. I learned a lot from listening more than talking and it was human interaction at it's best.

When you think about building communities of hope, and an ecosystem of good and a better tomorrow for all Americans we have to embrace the ideas of our constituency.

I didn't want this interaction to be a media spectacle to give people a platform to speak in a comfortable manner which is exactly what happened.

"We the People"...means all of us, and when we're committed to working together for a cause bigger than any one of us alone we're unbeatable as a nation.

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