Texas Values Action proudly endorses Thomas McNutt for the Texas House of Representatives, House District 8. McNutt is the vice president of Collin Street Bakery, a well-known and respected family-owned business in the district. He has deep family roots in Corsicana and would be a strong pro-family voice in the Texas House. McNutt is challenging Rep. Bryon Cook in the Republican primary.

“Thomas McNutt will be a courageous, pro-family conservative in the Texas House. His unwavering commitment to protecting religious freedom, marriage, and the unborn leave no doubt he is the right choice in this race. With Thomas McNutt in the Texas House, the people of House District 8 will have a voice for common sense Texas values,” said Jonathan Saenz, President of Texas Values Action.

Rep. Bryon Cook was among the lowest scoring Republicans in the 2015 Faith and Family Scorecard (58%). During the 2015 session, Cook voted for and publicly championed a priority bill of homosexual and anti-religious freedom forces that sought to remove “mother” and “father” from birth certificates. One of the state’s leading pro-homosexual and anti-religious freedom advocacy groups has praised Cook for the progress made on the gay birth certificate bill, stating their progress was “thanks to the support of House State Affairs Committee chair Byron Cook.” The bill, championed by Cook, was authored by Liberal Democrat State Rep. Rafael Anchia who is “one of the most outspoken LGBT advocates in the House.”

Rep. Cook also led efforts in 2015 supporting a bill that would have infringed the First Amendment free speech rights of conservative non-profits and potentially even churches. Governor Greg Abbott opposed Cook’s anti-First Amendment efforts writing that “laws like that are unconstitutional.” Former Governor Rick Perry was forced to veto similar legislation pushed by Cook in 2013 stating it would have a “chilling effect” on First Amendment rights. Texas Values Action helped lead efforts to defeat both bills in the 2015 session.

Constituents of Corsicana and HD 8 deserve an authentic conservative voice that will champion the values of faith, family, and freedom in the Texas House.

Early Voting: February 16 – February 26

Primary Election Day: March 1

About Texas Values Action

Texas Values Action is the 501(c)(4) advocacy arm of Texas Values, a non-profit organization dedicated to standing for faith, family, and freedom in Texas. More information is available at txvaluesaction.org.