Bud Wymore files for State Representative Race

Local attorney, and former Hays County Republican Party Chairman, Bud Wymore, filed as a candidate for State Representative District 45, in December. Wymore is running against Carrie Isaac and Austin Talley in the Mar. 3 GOP primary.  The winner of the GOP primary will face the winner of the Democratic primary – either incumbent Erin Zwiener or her opponent Liliana Posada-- in the November general election.

In a statement to the Century News, Wymore said he is running because “the district needs a voice that meets with its conservative expectations, and I am the Republican best able to win in November.  My family has been here for 35 years.  I’m sick of politicians using this area for political opportunism.  It’s not about politics, it’s about the district.”

Wymore grew up in Buda and graduated from Hays high school in 2001.  From 2009 to 2012, he was the Republican County Chairman for Hays county. 

“I am a product of this community and am a product of our values. I was educated in our public schools, where my mother was a school teacher and principal. I started a business here, and my wife and I are raising our four children here. Like so many others in our district, I understand the real-life challenges that face hard-working professionals and their families. I believe our state representative needs to work for us and our community, and not extremist political agendas,” Wymore said.

“The thing I’m most proud of [from my time as GOP chair] is the 2010 and 2012 elections.  They were banner years for Republicans, especially in Hays county, and we did exceptionally well.  I certainly don't take all the credit for it, there were a number of people who worked hard and helped us raise money.  But one thing I did do was come out and publicly made endorsements in high profile races such as Will Conley’s.  I was advised against making public endorsements.  But I certainly didn't get involved at that level to sacrifice my voice, and I think my efforts helped.”  

Wymore stepped down from the party chair position at age 30 to focus on his family and legal career. Wymore and his wife, Amy, have four children and live in Driftwood.

When asked why Republicans should vote for him in the primary, Wymore said, “It comes down to the ability to carry the conservative message and the ability to get those things done.  I’m also the person who has the best chance to win in November. I have the deepest roots in this community, and have invested time personally not just politically.”

Taking aim at Carrie Isaac, Wymore said, “Devoting your entire time to politics is not enough.  She touts her experience campaigning and insider knowledge of the state legislature because of her husband’s experience,” - Jason Isaac held the seat from 2011 to 2019 - “but that is contrary to conservative values.  It’s essentially an argument against term limits.”

Regarding Austin Talley, Wymore said, “I don't think Austin has the support base in the district.  The local support, the endorsements I've gathered in this race are key. Outside of Wimberley, my biggest support is in the Buda/Kyle area where I grew up. At my campaign kick-off I had over 300 supporters in attendance.” At the campaign kick-off, Wymore released a list of more than 170 endorsements, including a 54 current and former local elected officials and Republican party leaders throughout the district, which includes Hays and Blanco counties.

When asked about his ability to win in the general election, Wymore said, “I think Erin [Zwiener] was swept in on Beto’s coattails.  She is a very liberal representative and doesn’t represent the values of this district. She’s openly socialist, supports open borders and a state income tax, and was rated the 6th most liberal member of the Texas House. Her agenda is not our community’s agenda and we must not let it prevail.”

Wymore said his biggest legislative priorities would be redistricting and fixing the property tax system.  “We did a good job on property taxes last session, but need a dollar increase cap, and mandatory commercial property disclosure at the time of sale.”  

Wymore said that with residential properties, it’s possible for taxing authorities to get a reasonable estimate of how much the home sold for and thus how much it should be taxed, “But commercial properties are very different, it’s hard to quantify what exactly was paid, and that has led to depressed commercial values.  We don't want to tax people out of commercial properties, but people are being taxed out of home ownership and we need to solve that problem.”

Wymore also said, “We need to take a hard look at shifting away from property taxes as the main funding mechanism for the state.  We should explore a simultaneous decrease in property tax rates coinciding with a marginal increase in sales tax for non-essentials.  So, if you’re getting milk and eggs, obviously those are not subject to sales tax, but we need to adjust the tax burden away from property. The net result, however, must be a decrease in what people are being taxed.”

Wymore currently serves as the Hays County Republican Party legal counsel, and his law practice is focused on business and real estate matters. He has volunteered as a youth sports coach, and served two-terms on the Campus Leadership Team at his children’s elementary school. His campaign website is https://budwymore.com .