State Representative Jacey Jetton is kicking off his campaign for re-election in early 2023 with a welcome home gathering in Houston. He was first elected to the Texas House in 2020 and would now represent the 26th House District including Katy and Richmond for his second term. Jetton is seeking to win over his communities by using his unique background as a young, married father of color, the son of a Korean immigrant, member of the Army National Guard and a self-described Christian. However, Jetton has faced criticism from the party’s right flank over his conservative values, leading to an endorsement of a primary opponent from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls. He has also been labeled a “liberal” by some party members, who think he has abandoned his constituents in Fort Bend County due to his failure to adopt Thatcherite views. Governor Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dade Phelan continue to support Jetton in his candidacy, emphasizing their resolve against a far-right takeover in Texas politics. Despite these differences, Jetton is determined in his belief that his vision of conservatism should be about “preserving what we call the American dream for future generations,” advocating for limited government and a free market, rather than falling into political tribalism. Jetton, age 40, is supported by his wife Fanny and shares stories of their meeting on a dance floor in Hawaii, their serendipitous love story and their journey to Texas in the early 2000s, which further solidified his conservative outlook. Starting his career during the peak of the tea party movement, Jetton became involved in Republican infrastructure along the Gulf Coast and currently chairs the Fort Bend County delegation to Austin. His tenure thus far has been marked with the handling of some of the state’s most conservative and momentous measures, raising anticipation for his return to office.
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