In this episode, I sit down with Steve Wright, Republican candidate for Texas Congressional District 35 and longtime law enforcement officer, to talk policy, priorities, and the future of Texas. We dive into how his 30 years in Kern County, California shaped his views on crime, drug and human trafficking, and why he moved to Texas to push back against progressive policies he believes harm working families. Steve outlines his platform on border security, immigration reform that rewards those following the law, prosecuting cartels, and expanded resources for ICE investigations. We also cover veterans’ care, arming schools with trained security, Second Amendment concerns around red-flag laws, and the need for term limits and accountability in Congress. From housing affordability and private equity’s impact to restoring trust in Social Security and rebuilding the middle class, this is a candid, working-class conversation about protecting Texas values and fixing Washington. We also talk redistricting, grassroots campaigning, and how Steve plans to reach new counties in the reshaped TX-35. He shares why he aligns with the Freedom Caucus on fiscal responsibility, why bipartisan governing still matters, and how to restore public safety, strengthen families, and uphold America’s founding principles—all while keeping government limited and accountable to the people. Joe's GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/raise-funds-to-cover-mortgage-escrow-shortage FOLLOW US ON: RUMBLE: https://rumble.com/joerooz YouTube: https://youtube.com/@joerooz TWITCH: https://twitch.tv/joerooz X: https://x.com/joerooz Facebook: https://facebook.com/joeroozpodcast Minds: https://minds.com/joerooz GETTR: https://gettr.com/joerooz Want to be a guest on The Joe Rooz Show? Send Joe a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/joe Music: https://youtube.com/@pogo (00:04:11) Opening from Asylum Studios and show kickoff (00:05:21) Recap of Sunday Bible study and weekly plans (00:05:45) Housekeeping and intro to tonight’s guest (00:09:55) Introducing Steve Wright: background and motivation (00:11:33) Personal background: heritage, family, faith (00:12:55) Why leave California: laws, costs, and accountability (00:18:04) Progressive policies in Texas and Austin concerns (00:19:29) Redistricting TX-35 and primary landscape (00:21:28) Campaign strategy, fundraising, and door-knocking (00:24:35) Working-class representation and party shifts (00:28:05) Debt, Social Security, and restoring trust (00:31:49) Private equity, housing, and outsourcing jobs (00:36:16) Platform focus and pivot to policy specifics (00:36:53) Human trafficking: border control and prosecutions (00:41:57) Drug trafficking and fentanyl: walls, tech, and cartels (00:45:56) Immigration reform: streamline legal paths without amnesty (00:52:39) Assimilation, dual citizenship, and cultural concerns (01:01:04) Education, trades, and higher-ed ideology (01:07:33) Role of government and public safety priorities (01:17:12) Second Amendment and red flag law skepticism (01:22:04) Term limits, age, and fitness for office (01:29:50) Polarization, bipartisanship, and convention risks (01:32:18) Texas independence talk and state vs federal roles (01:39:17) Representation, population, and state-first values (01:39:21) Why Congress, not local: riots, policing, and ideology (01:44:37) Who inspires Steve: Freedom Caucus and Chip Roy (01:45:46) Campaign links, socials, and closing thanks (01:47:39) Host wrap-up: website, mailing list, and sign-off - Joe "Rooz" Russiello - Marisa Lee - Wayne Rankin - Rosanna Rankin - Angela Wetuski - Carolina Jimenez - Steven Wright https://www.joerooz.com/support https://www.joerooz.com
