Businessman Carlton Soules, a former northeast side San Antonio City Council member and long time conservative activist, is announcing his candidacy for the State Representative seat being vacated by the retirement of House Speaker Joe Straus, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
"I have lived and worked in District 121 my entire life, have had the honor of representing the people of District 10 as their San Antonio City Councilman, and have a proven record of being a conservative champion of the taxpayers," Soules said. "I am prepared for this job and will be ready to serve the citizens of District 121 on Day One.
"Soules pointed out that as a City Council member from 2011-2015, he opposed 'Pre-K-for-SA and the downtown streetcar boondoggle, while supporting initiatives like 'safe zones' keeping registered sex offenders out of city parks, supporting the ability of veterans to start businesses, and urging spending limits in city related programs.
Soules unsuccessfully challenged Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff in 2014, but Soules points out that he received 76% of the vote in that election in the area included within House District 121.
Soules says his priorities in the Legislature would include property tax relief, school finance reform, non-tolled highway expansion and job creation and border secuirty.
Straus announced in October he will not seek re-election to the Texas House, after serving for three terms as Speaker of the House.
PHOTO: CARLTON SOULES CAMPAIGN