

Tony Tinderholt
Republican | Texas
Candidate Profile*
Verified Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Tony Tinderholt
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 94
Incumbent
Yes
EDUCATION
Regents, New York, BS, 1996
Touro Masters Education, Los Angeles, ME, 2005
WORK & MILITARY
U.S. Air Force, STAFF SERGEANT, 10
U.S. Army, MAJOR, 11
AFFILIATIONS
Spirit of Hope, Volunteer and Contributor, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation
Volunteer and Contributor, St. Jude Research, Volunteer and Contributor
Catholic Charities, ESL Instructor, Columbia College
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
State Representative HD 94, 9
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (9)
Young Conservatives of Texas
Texas Right to Life
Texas Home School Coalition (THSC)
Texas Values Action
Greg Abbott
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (26)
Cheryl Bean (2024)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2024)
Matthew Morgan (2024)
Mitch Little (2024)
State Republican Party Organizations (2024)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (72)
Gary Gates (2024)
David Lowe (2023)
Defend Texas Liberty (2023)
Don Huffines (2023)
George Lavender (2023)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Rhetta Andrews Bowers (2021)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Texas Sands (2022)
Ana Maria Ramos (2019)
OTHER INFORMATION
Candidate graded C by pro-marijuana group NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws).
Candidate signed the Contract With Texas.
Key votes from Vote Smart.
Candidate is the 6th most conservative member of the Texas House according to the 2023 Rice University analysis.
During 2021 Regular Legislative Session, one of 21 Texas House members who voted FOR HR4, Amendment 10, which would have provided greater transparency on lawmaker actions by requiring record votes in committees.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
None. Life begins at conception and should be protected at every stage.
Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.
Agree
I do not believe that chemical abortion drugs should be utilized to harm the unborn ever.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What is your position on the minimum wage?
The minimum wage introduces an artificial price floor which reduces job opportunities for those looking for their first job or those only capable of providing limited services. I would not support legislation to raise the minimum wage.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
None. Americans have a First Amendment right to freely exercise their religion and to peacefully assemble. The government may make recommendations but violates the rights of its constituents by shutting down houses of worship.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
C.) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
None.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes. Israel is a rare example of a stable, representative government in the Middle East. Israel has been a long-time ally of the United States and we should continue to support our allies.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
EDUCATION
The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child through programs which protect parents' freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Strongly Agree
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly Disagree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Agree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Bethany and I are Catholic and attend St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Arlington.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Strongly Disagree
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No. To quote the great Thomas Sowell, “Racism is not dead, but it is on life support – kept alive by politicians, race hustlers and people who get a sense of superiority by denouncing others as ‘racists."
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? (Select all that apply) A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. D) Climate change is real and requires urgent policy action.
C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Oil and natural gas
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No.
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Government's purpose is to protect the rights of its citizens and to provide the framework for a moral and independent society.
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I believe the 2nd Amendment is absolute for all law-abiding citizens.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
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