Texas business owners who are sick and tired of the lockdown restrictions that have decimated their earnings may soon have a new advocate in their state Senate.
Shelly Luther, a hair salon owner in the state who made national headlines for refusing to shut down her business during the COVID-19 lockdowns, has advanced to a run-off election. Her opponent, Republican state Rep. Drew Springer, are in a dead heat as Luther won 31.7% of the vote while Mr. Springer won 31.8%.
The final election date isn’t yet known, but what can be said for certain is that Ms. Luther is not likely to be the typical politician. As a former public-school teacher and small business owner, her insight into what her community needs to be successful and her drive to get things done despite opposition are sure to be strengths her constituents will appreciate.
Luther isn’t shy about her political positions. She is a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump. She believes that the government should play a limited role in individual lives. She wants to eliminate taxpayer-funded lobbying, enact term limits for Texas’ house of representatives and Senate, and increase the criminal penalty for violent rioters. She supports the Second Amendment, local law enforcement, and is anti-Abortion.
The fact that she wants to lower Austin’s property taxes to make it easy for property owners to keep their homes and businesses is sure to win over those who are tired of Austin’s continually rising property taxes. In August of this year, the city decided to lower law enforcement funding by more than 33 percent — while at the same time giving $100,000 to fund abortion access.
Most people are paying close attention to national elections, and rightly so. The 2020 presidential election, Senate elections, and House of Representative elections could radically alter the course of the nation. However, it’s frequently local officials who have the biggest impact on their local communities. Luther’s bid to become a state Senator is laudable, and one that has the potential to bring about real change to her constituency.
Republicans, independents, and even moderate Democrats who are tired of the role big government has played in decimating what was once a booming economy may very well vote for her.
