Stephen O'Toole

Stephen O'Toole was born in Bedford, Texas. He served in the U.S. Navy from 2004 to 2006. He earned a high school diploma from South Hills High School. His career experience includes working as a senior account manager.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m Stephen O’Toole, a Navy veteran, working-class Texan, and political newcomer running for Congress in TX-25. I enlisted in Navy Intelligence at seventeen because I believed in service, in duty, and in doing my part. I still believe in those things. But I’ve watched the same people who talk about patriotism and leadership turn their backs on the very folks they’re supposed to serve. I’ve seen broken systems left to rot while working families are told to wait their turn. I’ve seen politicians cash in while people back home struggle to pay rent or afford insulin.

That’s what pushed me to run. I’m not here to build a career or climb a ladder. I’m not backed by PACs or political machines. I’m someone who’s lived the reality of paycheck-to-paycheck life. I’ve felt the stress, the exhaustion, and the quiet anger of knowing the system is rigged to keep people like us down. I’m not okay with that and I’m done waiting for someone else to fix it.

I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I know how to fight. I know how to listen. And I know what it means to tell the truth, even when it’s hard. This campaign isn’t about party lines or polished slogans. It’s about stepping up when the people in power won’t. It’s about making government work for the rest of us again.

If you’re tired of being ignored, if you’re sick of watching politicians serve donors while your family gets left behind, then stand with me. I won’t sell you out. I won’t play the game. I’ll fight for the people

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?

Help Working Families Thrive

I’ve lived the struggle of working hard and still falling behind. Families are skipping medical care, working two jobs, and still can't afford rent, while billionaires like the Walton's pay poverty wages and let taxpayers pick up the slack. That’s not a free market, it’s corporate welfare. I’m running to change that. We need fair wages, affordable healthcare, and a government that serves working people, not just the powerful. When families thrive, communities rise.Fighting Corruption

I’m running because I’m sick of watching politicians get rich while the rest of us struggle. They’re supposed to serve the people, not use public office to play the stock market and cash in on insider knowledge. No one in Congress should be trading stocks at all... they write the laws and see the briefings. Every dollar they make from those trades comes at someone else’s expense. I won’t be part of that game. I’m here to fight for a government that serves working people, not one that lines the pockets of those already in power.Expose Those Blocking Reform

Our political system is broken, and too many in Washington are fine with it because it benefits them. I’m running to shine a light on the insiders protecting the status quo. We need real reform, starting with campaign finance, and the only reason we haven’t gotten it is because too many politicians are more focused on protecting their power than serving the people. I’ll fight to fix what’s broken, and I’ll make sure anyone standing in the way is exposed and held accountable. No more hiding behind procedure. It’s time for truth.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m passionate about fixing the rigged economy that’s crushing working families. That means bold action on healthcare, housing, wages, and labor rights, because no one should work full-time and still be broke. I’m also focused on ending corruption and reforming the way money flows through our political system. Politicians shouldn’t profit from public office while people struggle to survive. I want a government that works for regular people, not just the wealthy and well-connected. That starts with shining a light on who’s blocking reform and forcing real accountability.

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

On a personal level, there are three men in my life that I looked up to, sadly all have passed. First was my paternal grandfather, Papa or Charles O'Toole. He was a depression era Texan who's entire life was defined by struggle and hard work. His father passed when he was just 6, and with a little sister and brother along with his mother at home, he took work picking cotton. He continued to work to support his family in situations where the government should have been there to help, but he never complained. He worked through school and afterwards became an architect, designing much of the beautiful city of Fort Worth, until he finally retired at 70 years old, after 64 years of work. Six months later, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and he went down hill quickly... the government would not step in to help with the heavy expenses until my grandparents were nearly destitute, my grandfather's entire life works gone to health expenses.

Second up we have my Uncle, Brigadier General Charles O'Toole Jr. He was a super star of a man, almost definitely manic, but channeled that manic energy like a champion. This man managed to juggle being a Flag Officer in the Air Force Reserves as a flight surgeon, a D.O. with an active practice, and a semi-pro soccer player. He was one of the prides of Granbury from what I understand, and I loved going to his house multiple times a year. Despite his busy life, he still found his way to my boot camp graduation and to visit me in the Navy. Sadly Alzheimer's took his life as well.

Finally, my maternal grandfather, Grandpa or Jack Friedman. He was a lawyer and despite technically being adoptive grandfather, I never felt less than loved and family with him. I will always value the major values he gave me on my stays at his house, mostly centered around respect and compassion.

These three men, I could write for days on. They have made me the man I am today.

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

There isn’t one single film that defines my political philosophy, but there are a handful that capture the emotional engine behind why I’m running. They’re not political dramas or documentaries. They’re stories about duty, disruption, and refusing to sit on the sidelines.

Tombstone speaks to the moment I’m in now. I’ve realized I can’t keep waiting for someone else to fix things. If I want change, I have to be the one to step up and make it happen. Braveheart captures that sense of being dragged into a fight you didn’t ask for, but stepping up because the stakes are too high to ignore. I didn’t grow up dreaming about politics, I just wanted a decent, stable life. But disruption after disruption has shown me that silence and comfort aren’t options anymore.

SLC Punk stuck with me for a different reason. It’s raw, chaotic, and painfully honest about the system, and about the hard truth that sometimes the only way to change it is from the inside. That message is part of what brought me here. The Patriot reminds me of the duty we all carry, especially those of us who served. It’s about protecting the values this country was supposed to stand for, even when those in power have lost their way.

None of these films are perfect roadmaps for policy. But they reflect the core of how I move through the world. I believe in loyalty to people, not parties. I believe in action, not waiting for permission. And I believe in stepping into the fire when it matters — because if you’re not willing to fight for your community, you can’t claim to represent it.

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

To me, the most important qualities in an elected official are honesty, intelligence, and a genuine desire to serve their community.

Honesty should be non-negotiable. Not just honesty about facts, but honesty about priorities, motivations, and mistakes. Voters deserve leaders who tell the truth even when it’s inconvenient, who don’t hide behind polished statements or political spin. People can disagree on policy, but they can’t build trust if the person representing them is constantly playing games with the truth.

Intelligence matters, not just the kind that shows up in a résumé, but the wisdom to know what you don’t know, and the humility to ask for help. Elected officials make decisions that affect millions of lives. That requires being able to read and understand complex information, seek out real experts, and weigh competing arguments without ego getting in the way. We need fewer politicians who think they already know everything and more who are willing to listen, learn, and grow.

And above all else, an elected official must have a real desire to serve. Not to build a brand, chase a career, or climb a ladder; but to help the people in their district live better, more secure lives. This is public service. The job is to show up, speak up, and fight for your community, especially when it’s hard or unpopular. If someone is not driven by that purpose, they shouldn’t be in office.

I’m running because I believe these qualities are missing from too much of our politics today. I don’t claim to be perfect, but I will always be honest, always do my homework, and always put the people I represent above myself.

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

Honesty, compassion, and intelligence. I believe I have a true desire to serve and the skills to be able to make some good. As I told my friend, I may not ever get elected, I may never make a dent in the challenge up against us, but I will be able to say that I have tried my best.

I have survived challenges most do not ever face and the only thing they have shown is my determination to trudge along. I do not promise I will be a perfect candidate or representative, I do not promise that everyone will agree with every action I take, but I will be able to look anyone in the eye and tell them the honest reasoning behind why I take any action.

That is something that far too few politicians can say.

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

The core responsibility of a member of Congress is right there in the title: to represent. That doesn’t mean pushing a personal agenda, chasing headlines, or doing what’s politically convenient. It means listening, understanding, and fighting for the people back home; not the donors, not the lobbyists, not the party elites, but the actual constituents whose lives are directly impacted by every decision you make.

Representation starts with being present. You have to stay connected to the people you serve, not just through speeches or social media, but by showing up, answering calls, and being available when someone needs help. A good representative makes sure their constituents can navigate the complexity of government; whether that’s getting a passport, accessing veterans’ benefits, or cutting through red tape with Social Security or Medicare. When someone is stuck, you don’t pass the buck. You get results.

On the legislative side, it means knowing how to read a bill and understand what it really does, not just what it says in the title. It means thinking through the long-term impact on working families, small businesses, veterans, farmers, and everyday people. It means asking: Will this help them live safer, healthier, more stable lives? Or is it a giveaway to those who already have too much?

It also means being able to say no. No to policies that hurt your district, no to corrupt deals, and no to anything that sells out the people who trusted you with their vote. Sometimes, doing your job means making powerful people uncomfortable.

If you can look your constituents in the eye and say, "I’ve done everything I can to give you a shot at the American Dream," then you’ve done your job. That is what I believe representation is. Not power for its own sake... but service, accountability, and the courage to stand up for the people you serve.

What legacy would you like to leave?

A legacy of moral standards. At the end of the day, I will be able to say I did my best and I never sold my soul.

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

This depends on how you define remember. I "remember" Desert Storm in the fact that I remember my uncle going back and forth to deployments when I was a young child.

I "remember" the Monica Lewinski scandal about as well as I remember the OJ Simpson saga and other events of the mid-90s in that I remember them going on, but was still young enough I did not truly register their impact at the time.

I feel though, for this it would have to be 9/11. I vividly remember this day. I remember standing in the living room, late for school, telling my grandmother about how a plane had run into one of the world trade centers in NYC. I remember seeing the second plan flying behind the buildings from one side to the other and thinking that was strange. I remember when the second plane arrived back on the screen and within seconds there was an explosion and the ticker on the screen instantly changed to say "Terrorists Attack the World Trade Centers."

I remember laughing after my grandmother took me to school afterwards, while most other kids were being picked up from school by concerned parents. She would later say "What, was I to be scared you'd be attacked at school? That was the safest place for you to be." Different times, huh?

That was the first major historical event that had true impact on my life. It was the event that took my desire to join the military to a plan to actually join. It was two years later that I signed my enlistment papers and almost three years before I'd go to boot camp.

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

I was a 15 year old busboy at a Mexican Restaurant named Mi Charito Ray's in Fort Worth. I only had the job for 6 months before I quit to spend more time at home helping my grandmother take care of my grandfather with his Alzheimer's.

I quite enjoyed working there, it was my first but far from my last experience in customer service.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Non-fiction book I'd have to say The Gatekeepers by Chris Whipple, I absolutely loved the insight into all of the administrations of the modern era of America from the points of views of the Chiefs of Staff for all the presidents from Nixon to Trump's first two.

Fiction book - For a single book, I'd have to say Star Wars: Thrawn Treason, as it is the excellent conclusion to a great trilogy that covers one of my favorite Star Wars characters in the period soon after the fall of the Republic.

For a series though, I cannot overlook the R.A. Salvatore written series about Drizz't Do'Urden. These books I discovered in high school and have stayed current with the series ever sense, all 40+ books now. The way the Salvatore covers modern political and cultural themes in his fantasy books is absolutely wonderful in my opinion, and while the writing is at a more accessible level I find it to still be engaging.

I know, I am a nerd. There is no denying that!

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

I heard a song of Eminem singing about his next solo is going to be about "my salsa" and I cannot get that tune out of my head for days now... make the ear worm stop!!!

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

My childhood was a severe struggle of abuse, abandonment, and instability. My parents divorced when I was young and at 4 my mother disappeared when it was time to pick me up from visitation with my father. Nearly a year later my father ended up getting emergency full custody of me to be able to enroll me in kindergarten.

However, my father is a monster. He abused me as a child until I finally confronted him in front of my grandmother, his mother. He never touched me in that way again and began years long efforts of burying the memories and making me think they were nightmares, as despite my grandmother apparently making him stop, she never turned him in. She protected her son at the expense of her grandson, and in the future other children.

My father bounced around from place to place, was given a couple of different houses over the years only to lose them and restart the cycle, so I mostly stayed with my grandparents.

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

One of the most important and unique powers the U.S. House of Representatives holds is the power of the purse. The House is responsible for initiating all spending legislation, and with that comes a critical responsibility... deciding how the government invests in its people. Unfortunately, over the years, Congress has strayed from this duty. We've allowed bloated budgets, unchecked spending, and fiscal decisions driven more by political gamesmanship and special interests than by actual needs on the ground. We need to restore a sense of real fiscal responsibility and intentional budgeting, not just for economic reasons, but because every wasted dollar is a missed opportunity to help the people who need it most.

Beyond its financial power, the House also has the potential to be the most truly representative body in our government. With shorter terms and smaller districts than the Senate, members of the House are closer to the people they represent. This structure was designed to ensure that voices from all walks of American life; working-class families, rural communities, immigrants, veterans, small business owners, teachers, caretakers, have a seat at the table. But for that to be real, we have to break out of the narrow, elite mold of what a “proper” politician is supposed to look and sound like.

Too often, the House ends up filled with people who have more in common with lobbyists and corporate boards than with the communities they claim to represent. That’s not what the Founders intended, and it’s not what this country needs. The House should be a place where real people, not just career politicians, bring their lived experience to the legislative process.

If we can reclaim that vision, the House of Representatives can once again be the people’s house. But it starts with electing leaders who actually reflect the people they serve, and who take their constitutional responsibilities seriously.

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

I think prior experience in government or politics can be either a strength or a serious liability. On one hand, it can help a representative navigate the process, understand the legislative machinery, and be more effective at getting things done. There’s value in institutional knowledge, and in knowing how to build coalitions, draft policy, and move bills through the system.

But too often, that same experience comes with baggage. It can lead to "inside the box" thinking, where people stop asking what should be done and start obsessing over what’s “realistic” within a broken system. It can create a mindset where the goal becomes surviving politically instead of serving boldly. You end up with people more concerned about protecting their status and relationships than delivering for their constituents.

What we need is balance. I don’t think the House should be filled entirely with political newcomers, nor should it be dominated by career politicians. We need a real cross-section of America, people from all walks of life who bring different experiences, values, and priorities to the table. That includes teachers, veterans, nurses, tradespeople, farmers, small business owners, and yes, even some with political backgrounds, but not all cut from the same cloth.

Right now, Congress is overloaded with individuals who all took the same path, speak the same language, and operate in the same donor-driven echo chamber. That’s not representation. That’s an echo chamber of political self-interest.

If we want a government that works for the people, it has to actually look like the people. That means electing individuals with real-life experience outside of politics, people who know what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck, to deal with our healthcare system, to run a business or serve in uniform. Politics should not be its own self-sustaining industry. It should be a public service. And it’s time we got back to treating it that way.

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

I believe the greatest challenge facing the United States over the next decade is the unchecked spread of disinformation and propaganda. This isn’t a new problem, propaganda has always existed, but the scale and speed at which it spreads today is unlike anything we’ve ever seen. Social media has turned what used to be fringe conspiracy theories into viral narratives that can shape elections, policy, and even public safety in a matter of hours.

The danger isn’t just that people are being misled. It’s that we’re being divided, deliberately and systematically, by those who benefit from keeping us at each other’s throats. Disinformation is being weaponized to pit neighbor against neighbor, to erode trust in every institution, and to make us so cynical that we stop believing in the possibility of change. And it’s not just foreign adversaries fueling this; plenty of domestic actors; political operatives, media figures, and special interests, are stoking the flames for profit or power.

Both parties have been guilty of exploiting division, and too many elected officials are more interested in scoring points than solving problems. But we won’t be able to fix anything... not the economy, not healthcare, not corruption, if we can’t even agree on what’s real. You can’t find common ground when you’re living on two different planets.

We need bold solutions: media literacy education in schools, stronger transparency from social platforms, independent oversight of algorithmic amplification, and accountability for those who knowingly spread harmful falsehoods. This is not a call for censorship, it’s a call for clarity, honesty, and shared reality.

If we fail to address this, we risk losing the very foundation of democracy: the ability of citizens to make informed decisions together. No system can survive long when the truth is whatever your chosen media outlet says it is. We must break this cycle, or it will break us.

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

I think two-year terms for House representatives come with both advantages and serious drawbacks. On the positive side, the short term length keeps members closely tied to their constituents. It creates more frequent opportunities for voters to hold elected officials accountable and makes it harder for someone to disappear into office and ignore the people who sent them there, something we often see in the Senate, where six-year terms can create long periods of political detachment.

A two-year cycle allows voters to remove ineffective or unresponsive representatives relatively quickly. That kind of turnover can be a safety valve when democracy is functioning as it should. In theory, it keeps representatives responsive, humble, and focused on the people, not just their political careers.

But the downside is clear too. Representatives barely have time to learn the ropes before they’re forced to start campaigning again. The constant pressure to fundraise and prepare for re-election can keep them from doing the job they were elected to do in the first place. Instead of writing policy, listening to constituents, or holding oversight hearings, many spend more time dialing for dollars and managing optics. That’s not governance, that’s survival.

In my view, the real problem isn’t the term length, it’s the system around it. If we had meaningful campaign finance reform that reduced or eliminated the constant need for fundraising, and if we had enforceable recall mechanisms to remove officials who betray their duties, then we could have a real conversation about adjusting term lengths. Maybe a four-year term would make sense in a system that isn't dominated by money and special interests.

But we’re not there yet. Until we fix the deeper structural issues, especially around campaign finance and accountability... I believe the two-year term is necessary. It keeps power closer to the people and gives voters the chance to course-correct before the damage runs too deep.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

On the surface, I support term limits. The idea of public servants cycling in and out of office, making room for fresh ideas and new leadership, is appealing. Too many politicians have turned public office into a lifelong career while losing touch with the people they were elected to serve. But term limits alone won’t fix what’s broken and if we implement them without fixing the deeper rot, we could make the problem even worse.

The real threat isn’t just career politicians. It’s the unelected power players; the lobbyists, corporate consultants, and influence brokers who never leave. These are the people who stay in Washington administration after administration, pushing the same agendas, regardless of who the voters send to Congress. If we impose strict term limits on elected officials without addressing the unchecked influence of money and lobbying, we risk handing even more power to those unelected forces.

Think about it: if a new representative is limited to just a few terms, they may never have the chance to develop the expertise or relationships needed to navigate the complex legislative process. Who will they rely on? The long-time lobbyists and insiders who already run the show behind the scenes. That’s not reform... it’s just rearranging the chairs while the same people steer the ship.

So yes, I believe term limits should be part of the conversation, but only as part of broader electoral and political reform. That means real campaign finance reform, stronger transparency laws, bans on lobbying by former members of Congress, and a serious crackdown on the revolving door between government and private influence.

If we want a democracy that works, we need to reduce the stranglehold of money, power, and backroom influence. Term limits alone won’t save us. But if we pair them with deep systemic change, they can be one of many tools to restore trust, break the cycle of corruption, and return power to the people.

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

There isn’t one particular representative I want to model myself after. I respect a number of people who have served with integrity, courage, and conviction, but I didn’t get into this to follow a blueprint or to live up to someone else’s legacy. I got into this because I’m tired of watching people suffer while politics becomes more about performance and self-preservation than public service.

My goal isn’t to “be like” anyone. It’s to break the mold. To show that you can come from a working-class background, speak plainly, and still make a real impact. I want to be the kind of representative who does the work, tells the truth, and doesn't spend every waking moment trying to craft the perfect image. I’m not interested in playing to a party line or building a brand, I’m interested in results. In making life better for people who’ve been ignored for too long.

That means showing up for the people who sent me, even when the cameras aren’t rolling. It means being honest about what I know and what I still need to learn. It means fighting like hell for my district, even when it’s inconvenient or unpopular. I’m not running to build a career. I’m running to build trust and to get things done.

If I do this right, it won’t be because I modeled myself after someone else. It’ll be because I stayed grounded in the reasons I ran in the first place. I want to be the kind of representative who, when my time is up, people can say, “He didn’t play the game. He just did the job.”

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?

One story that’s stuck with me came from a man on Facebook. He talked about growing up in a middle-class household in the 1990s. His father worked at a factory making $35,000 a year, and his mother was a teacher earning $30,000. That combined income was enough for them to buy a home, raise a family, and give their son a solid upbringing. Later, his parents split. His mother kept the house, and his father bought a small place by a lake. Both homes are now worth over a million dollars, fully paid off, all on what was once considered an average, middle-class income.

Fast forward to today, that same man wor