Justin Early

Justin Early graduated from Leander High School in 1998. He served in the U.S. Army from 1998 to 2006 as a paratrooper and later worked as a LAN systems administrator at the Defense Intelligence Agency. His career experience includes working in cybersecurity.[1] Early has also served as a Democratic precinct chair in Tarrant County and as a presidential delegate in 2008.[2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I'm Justin Early, a Democrat, Army veteran, and cybersecurity professional running to represent Texas' 31st Congressional District.

I grew up in a working-class family, the eldest of three children of Wilson and Leisa Early, both U.S. Army veterans. After graduating from Leander High School in 1998, I enlisted in the Army and served as a paratrooper at Fort Bragg. After 9/11, I served as a LAN Systems Administrator at the Defense Intelligence Agency in the Pentagon.

Today I'm a Cybersecurity Architect at Dell Technologies, where I lead initiatives to secure data, protect critical infrastructure, and ensure compliance with privacy laws.

I've served my community as a Democratic Precinct Chair, on a Human Relations Committee focused on community equity, and as a 2008 presidential delegate for Barack Obama.

My wife, Toni, and I live in Georgetown and have raised seven children: Zechariah, Elijah, Matthias, Kiana, KayLee, Jordan, and Daniel.

I'm not a career politician. I'm running because Central Texas families are being squeezed by rising costs, unaffordable health care, and the erosion of our civil liberties. I'll listen to the people I serve, lead from the front, and fight for lower costs and higher wages, stronger privacy protections as AI advances, working families and unions, our veterans, and Social Security and Medicare.

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?

AI needs guardrails, and I know how to build them. As an Army veteran and cybersecurity architect, my job has always been to ask not just "can we build it," but "what happens when it fails." AI is moving faster than our laws. In Congress, I'll require human oversight of AI, ban AI from making life-or-death decisions or controlling nuclear weapons, and make tech companies explain how their systems behave. I'll protect Americans from AI-driven surveillance, stop deepfakes and bots from manipulating elections, and fight bias in AI hiring. I'll also harden our power grid, water systems, and personal data against hackers and foreign adversaries. Smart rules for AI are about trust, not fear.Lower costs and higher wages for working families. I grew up in, and raised, a family that worked hard but still worried about the next bill. Central Texans are working harder than ever with little breathing room. I'll fight to lower taxes for everyday Americans and make billionaires pay what they owe, make health care affordable so no one has to quit a job to pay medical bills, and guarantee paid family, sick, and bereavement leave. I'll make big tech data centers pay what they owe so they don't drive up our electric bills and protect the environment. I'll protect Social Security from privatization, fight any increase in the retirement age, and make sure cost-of-living adjustments keep up with real expenses.Washington must answer to the people it serves. I'm not a career politician. I'll listen first and lead from the front. That means holding billionaires and tech companies accountable when their products cause harm, and holding anyone who interferes with our elections accountable. It means cutting the red tape that leaves veterans waiting months or years for care and benefits they've earned, clearing the VA backlog, and fully staffing the Social Security Administration. It means keeping public dollars in public schools, pushing back on government overreach into our personal lives, and protecting your data from exploitation by corporations or the government. Government should work for you, not the other way around.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I'm most passionate about AI and cybersecurity, because I've spent my career protecting critical systems and I see how quickly AI is outpacing our laws. I want strong guardrails, human oversight, and real privacy protections for every American. I care deeply about veterans. I grew up the son of two Army veterans, served as a paratrooper and at the Pentagon after 9/11, and I'll fight to fix the VA backlog and restore funding. I'm committed to protecting Social Security and Medicare so seniors can retire with dignity. And I'm passionate about working families: fair wages, affordable health care, paid leave, and the right to organize.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

134 PAC

AFLCIO TX CLC COPE

Austin Comm College Dems

Bell Co Dems

Bell Co TX Dem Women's (BCTDW)

Black Austin Dems

Blue Horizon

Center for Freethought Equality

Citizens Against AIPAC Corruption Candidate

Collective PAC

CWA 6132

Coryell Dems

Burnet Dems

Lampasas Dems

D4Women in Action

East WilCo Dems

Flip TX Blue

Gun Sense Voter

IAM 2011

TSCM IAM

IBEW 520

Indivisible 1431, Centex, Highland Lakes, Waco

IBEW 278

Lone Star Left

Mothers Against Greg Abbott

Mothers for Democracy

Progress TX

TX Stonewall Dems

TX AFT

TX Dem Party

TX Dem Veterans

TX Dem Women

TX Progressive Caucus

TX WFP

TX Young Dems

Turn Left Pac

Track AIPAC

Wilco Dems

Wilco Dem Veterans

Wilco Young Democrats

DC Statehood

Louie Minor, Bell Co Commissioner

Campaign websiteEarly's campaign website stated the following:Protecting VeteransAmerica's heroes deserve the best because they put their lives on the line for our freedom. I’ll never threaten the lives of our vets with crappy healthcare at the VA. When elected this November I will pass legislation to:Reverse the vet-hating destructive funding cuts put in place by the Trump administration. Veterans fought for us, and I’ll fight for them by restoring the funding needed to provide the care and services they deserve.Clear the claims and care backlog to ensure timely support. No veteran should have to wait months—or years—for the benefits they’ve earned through their service.Cut through bureaucratic red tape to streamline services. Endless paperwork and delays are unacceptable. Let’s make the VA work for veterans, not against them.Modernize the VA with better facilities and technology. Our veterans deserve more than outdated systems and crumbling infrastructure. I’ll ensure the VA is equipped to meet their needs in the 21st century.Hire more doctors and nurses to meet the growing demand. Veterans face long wait times because there simply aren’t enough medical professionals. Let’s recruit and retain the best to ensure every vet gets the care they need.Protecting American Jobs and WorkersHardworking Americans deserve a fair shot at building a good life—affording homes, good food, electricity, and clean water. When elected this November, I will pass legislation to:Push for guaranteed family leave—if billionaires get vacations, why not hardworking Americans? Families shouldn’t have to choose between keeping their jobs and caring for a new baby or loved one. Let’s guarantee paid leave for all.Ensure no one loses their job simply because they’re sick. It’s inhumane to fire someone for getting sick. I’ll protect workers’ rights to keep their jobs while they recover.Guarantee vacation time for all Americans. Everyone deserves time to recharge. If billionaires can take vacations, so can workers who make this country run.Guarantee paid family leave so parents have the time they need to bond with their children, especially newborns. Strong families build strong communities, and parents deserve time to nurture their families without fear of losing their income.Guarantee bereavement leave, because everyone deserves time to grieve and honor their loved ones when they pass. Losing someone you love shouldn’t mean losing your paycheck.Punish employers who prevent workers from voting, undermining our democracy. Voting is a fundamental right, and no boss should stand in the way of workers exercising it.Lower taxes for everyday Americans—if you work hard, you shouldn’t pay more than billionaires. Let’s shift the tax burden off working families and onto those who can afford it.Make healthcare affordable so no one has to quit their job to pay medical bills. No parent should have to choose between keeping their job or caring for a sick child. Affordable healthcare is a must.Empower workers to fight back against abusive employers. I’ll support laws that protect workers from harassment, wage theft, and unsafe conditions.Protecting Social SecurityHardworking Americans are the backbone of our nation, and TX-31 deserves a congressperson who will fight to make sure social security is never stolen by billionaires. Americans deserve dignity and security in retirement after a lifetime of contribution. When elected this November, I will pass legislation to:Protect Social Security from the threat of being privatized by billionaires, who want to line their pockets with your payroll deductions. Social Security will always remain a public program because it is a social contract, not a gamble on Wall Street.Guard against uncertainty related to Social Security’s funding by ensuring the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share. The current system unfairly caps contributions for the wealthy. Let’s remove the income cap so billionaires pay into the program like everyone else.Expand Social Security benefits to ensure seniors who have contributed their whole lives can live with dignity they deserve. No senior should have to choose between food, medicine, or housing during retirement.Guarantee that Social Security benefits keep up with the rising cost of living. Implement a fair and accurate cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) mechanism that reflects the real expenses of seniors.Protect the Social Security Administration database from foreign and domestic cyberattacks or illegal data breaches. Americans’ private information must remain secure from hackers and bad actors.Ensure the Social Security Administration is fully funded and staffed. No one should have to wait months or years for the benefits they’ve earned.Fight back against efforts to raise the retirement age. Americans who’ve worked hard their entire lives deserve to retire on time.Ensure Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is accessible to those in need. Protect disability benefits from cuts and streamline the application process for disabled Americans. When you can’t work after getting hurt on the job, you deserve to get back what you’ve paid in.Close loopholes that allow corporations to underpay into the system. Big businesses should not be allowed to game the system at the expense of hardworking Americans.Protecting Our NeighborsWe believe that protecting our neighbors means ensuring every person—no matter their background, identity, or zip code—has equal opportunity and freedom. That includes protecting public resources, standing up for civil rights, and respecting the individual liberties that define the American way of life. In today’s rapidly changing world, we also need leaders who will address new and emerging threats, like the unchecked growth of AI technologies and reckless corporate practices that harm our communities. As your representative, I will:Safeguard our rural areas and neighborhoods from reckless datacenter development. Datacenters are often built without proper oversight, disrupting communities and harming the environment. I’ll fight to ensure these projects are planned responsibly, with input from local residents.Protect our peace and quiet from the constant roar of datacenters. Datacenters generate significant noise pollution, disrupting the lives of nearby residents. I’ll work to enforce stricter regulations to protect the quality of life in our neighborhoods.Prevent rising electric rates and grid instability by making datacenters pay their fair share. Datacenters consume massive amounts of energy, often driving up costs for local residents. I’ll fight to ensure big tech companies pay their fair share to maintain grid stability and keep energy affordable.Ensure access to clean drinking water by stopping datacenters from draining our resources. Datacenters require enormous amounts of water for cooling, threatening local supplies. I’ll work to protect our water resources and ensure communities have access to clean, safe drinking water.Fight to stop the assault on America’s education system, ensuring all Americans are educated by making public education free and available to everyone. America suffers when her students are anything but the best in the world. I’ll work to ensure every child, no matter their zip code, has access to a quality education that prepares them for the future.Resist any attempts to impose a national school voucher scheme. Public dollars belong in public schools, not diverted to unaccountable private or religious institutions. I’ll fight to ensure taxpayer money strengthens public education, not weakens it.Defend voting rights and safeguard fair and free elections. Every American deserves an equal voice in our democracy, free from voter suppression, gerrymandering, or interference. I’ll work to restore trust in our electoral system and ensure every vote is counted.Push back on government overreach that infringes on personal liberties. The government should empower people, not micromanage their lives. I’ll work to ensure policies respect individual freedoms while protecting public safety.Support community-focused solutions to public safety. Empowering local communities to address safety concerns, mental health needs, and social services builds trust and protects everyone. I’ll advocate for programs that strengthen neighborhoods and reduce crime.Protect Americans’ right to privacy in the digital age. With the rise of AI and data-driven surveillance, I will work to ensure your personal data is not exploited, whether by corporations or the government. Privacy is a fundamental right, and I’ll fight to safeguard it.Guarantee workplace protections for every American. No one should face discrimination, harassment, or unsafe working conditions, regardless of their background or identity. I’ll fight for stronger labor protections and fair treatment for all workers.Protecting America's SecurityToday’s politicians just don’t get it—cybersecurity affects everything and everyone. America must be rock solid against nefarious hackers and other threats to our safety. When elected this November, I will pass legislation to:Hold accountable anyone who threatens America’s elections. Free and fair elections are the foundation of our democracy. I’ll make sure anyone attempting to interfere is brought to justice.Fortify America’s critical infrastructure against cyberattacks. From power plants to transportation networks, our infrastructure is vulnerable to hackers. I’ll push for stronger cybersecurity measures to protect the systems we rely on every day.Protect Americans’ personal data from cybercriminals and foreign adversaries. Whether it’s financial information or healthcare records, your data should remain safe and private. I’ll fight to implement stronger safeguards and hold bad actors accountable.Secure America’s electrical grid to prevent devastating outages that hurt real people. A downed grid puts lives at risk. I’ll ensure our infrastructure is safe from cyberattacks and natural disasters.Ensure America’s clean water supply is safe and free from poisons. Access to clean water is a basic human right. I’ll fight to protect our water from pollution and contamination.Protect America’s hospitals from devastating funding cuts. Hospitals are lifelines for our communities. I’ll ensure they remain fully funded and prepared for emergencies.Support America’s first responders—police, fire, and EMS—so they can do their jobs effectively. First responders put their lives on the line for us. I’ll make sure they have the resources and support they need to stay safe and save lives.Strengthen America’s food supply chain because no one in the greatest nation on Earth should go hungry. I’ll work to ensure our farmers, distributors, and grocers can get food to every table.Defend America’s fuel sources from threats that could destabilize our energy security. Energy independence is vital to our safety and economy. I’ll work to protect our fuel resources from sabotage and shortages.Protecting Americans from AI ThreatsAI Without Guardrails Is a Risk Texans Did Not Agree ToAs a veteran and a cybersecurity architect, my job has always been to think ahead. To ask not just “can we build it,” but “what happens when it fails.” Right now, artificial intelligence is moving faster than our laws, our infrastructure planning, and our public oversight. And Texans are already paying the price. Across Central Texas, large-scale data centers are expanding rapidly to support AI and cloud computing. These facilities bring real economic activity, but without clear rules, they also bring real risks to our power grid, our water systems, and our national security.AI in the wrong hands is dangerous and scary. Some AI systems have already caused harm, like advising a child on how to hurt themselves. This madness must stop! AI should help us, not hurt us. When elected this November, I will pass legislation to:Ensure AI is never allowed to control robots or machines that could harm people. Robots should serve humanity, not endanger it. I’ll fight to keep dangerous AI systems in check and ensure human oversight is always required.Ban AI from deciding when to launch nukes—this should always remain in human hands. No algorithm should have the power to end lives or start wars. I’ll work to ensure these decisions are made by accountable human beings.Prohibit AI from making life-or-death decisions, like deciding who to shoot or harm. AI weapons are a threat to everyone’s safety. I’ll fight to keep Americans safe from this technology.Hold billionaires accountable to explain why AI systems behave the way they do. When AI makes mistakes or causes harm, we deserve answers. I’ll ensure tech companies are transparent and accountable for their creations.Prevent AI from ever becoming ‘alive’—we must not gamble with the consequences of sentient AI. Let’s draw a clear line: AI should serve humanity, not threaten it.Regulate the use of AI in hiring and employment decisions. AI systems used to screen job applicants often reinforce bias and discrimination. I’ll fight to ensure hiring practices are fair and transparent.Protect Americans’ privacy from AI-driven surveillance. AI is increasingly used to monitor people’s activities, often without their consent. I’ll work to safeguard your right to privacy in the digital age.Ensure AI is not used to manipulate elections or spread disinformation. AI-powered bots and deepfakes are being weaponized to undermine democracy. I’ll fight to protect free and fair elections from these threats.Establish ethical guidelines for AI development and deployment. AI should be developed responsibly, with clear rules to prevent harm and ensure it benefits society as a whole.Invest in education and training to prepare Americans for an AI-driven economy. As AI transforms industries, we must equip workers with the skills they need to thrive in the jobs of the future.Support research into AI safety and accountability. We need to understand the risks of AI and develop safeguards to prevent unintended consequences. I’ll push for funding to study and address these challenges.Ensure AI is used to enhance, not replace, human creativity and decision-making. AI should be a tool to empower people, not a substitute for human ingenuity or judgment.We regulate aviation so people trust flying. We regulate food so families trust what they eat. Smart, modern rules for AI and digital infrastructure are about trust, not fear.We can embrace innovation while protecting our communities. What we cannot afford is leadership that treats AI like a talking point instead of a responsibility.Protecting Fair ImmigrationImmigration should be fair, just, and reward hard work. America’s success depends on hardworking immigrant families, and we must treat them with dignity. When elected this November, I will pass legislation to:Protect immigrants and naturalized citizens from extremists who threaten to strip them of their rights. No American—natural-born or naturalized—should fear losing their citizenship due to unconstitutional policies pushed by extremists like Stephen Miller.End the cruelty of family separation policies. No child should be torn from their parents in the name of politics or deterrence. I will ensure families are treated with humanity and dignity.Provide a clear and fair pathway to citizenship for those pursuing legal immigration. The current system is filled with delays, uncertainty, and arbitrary barriers. I’ll work to streamline the process and give immigrants the clarity they deserve.Ensure that legal immigrants on the path to citizenship are protected from exploitation and abuse. No one should have to live under constant fear while contributing to our communities and economy.Defend the constitutional rights of naturalized citizens. Citizenship should never be treated as conditional or revocable based on political whims. I’ll fight to protect the rights of all Americans.End the use of private detention facilities for immigrants. Detaining people for profit is inhumane, unaccountable, and unacceptable. I’ll work to ensure humane alternatives that respect human rights.Protect Dreamers and other vulnerable immigrant communities from deportation. Those brought to this country as children deserve the chance to stay in the only home they’ve ever known. I’ll fight to make protections permanent.Overturn Trump-era policies that weaponized immigration enforcement against communities of color. I will ensure that immigration enforcement focuses on real threats, not sowing fear in immigrant neighborhoods.Strengthen America’s reputation as a global leader in welcoming refugees and asylum seekers.America has long been a beacon of hope for those fleeing war, persecution, and violence. I’ll work to restore our moral standing by rebuilding our refugee programs.Reform immigration courts to ensure timely and fair hearings. Immigrants deserve due process, not endless delays or rushed decisions without proper review.End arbitrary travel bans that discriminate based on religion or nationality. Policies like the Muslim ban tarnish America’s global reputation and violate our core principles of equality and justice.Ensure border security policies are humane and protect human life. I’ll work to end cruel practices like unnecessary detentions, forced deportations, and inhumane treatment at the border.Hold employers accountable for exploiting undocumented workers. No employer should profit from abusing immigrant labor while undermining American workers.Invest in global partnerships to address the root causes of migration. By addressing poverty, violence, and instability in other nations, we can reduce the pressures that force people to flee their homes.— Justin Early's campaign website (February 17, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.