Gray County Candidate Forum , Part 1 : Introductions

thepampanews.com · Feb 15, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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By Geneva Wildcat The Gray County Republican Party held a forum for the 2026 Republican Primary candidates, hosted by the Top ‘O Texas Republican women at the MK Brown Auditorium. Moderating the event was Lee Cornelius, with a prayer from First Baptist Church Pastor Byron Williamson, and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Pampa High School sophomore, Logan Sims. The first portion of the forum was introductions by the candidates and are as follows: John Browning, State Representative for District 88 “I want to start by thanking the Gray County Republicans and the Gray County Republican Women-what a beautiful event you have put on. I’ve been through many through District 88, this by far is the biggest. You should congratulate yourselves for being active participants in this. John Browning is a father, a husband, a widower, a rancher, a farmer, a Christian, a seedsman, a life-long member of the Gideons, a board member of the National Sorghum Producers, a board member of the Covenant Hospital Foundation, a daily bible reader, endorsed by Texas Right-for-Life. I am pro-life. I’m also endorsed by Mark Lee Dickson who is also very pro-life for the sanctuary cities for Texas, so I’m honored for that. I want to be your next representative because it is a called position. It is a called position that I have stepped into, I did not seek this, but I was asked. Ann was at the very first meeting that I went to for the Republican Women and they said, ‘you’re our guy.’ I had no idea. So I started doing my research, and I met Ken. I told him from the very beginning that I would never be his enemy, but I felt like it was time to have a discussion about his voting record. So I’m running to have that discussion, and I’m running on this proverb; ‘Buy the truth, and do not sell it. Gain knowledge, wisdom and understanding,’ Proverbs 23:23 And that’s the campaign proverb that I want you to remember when you go to the polls.” Chasity Wedgeworth, United States Representative District 13 “I am running for Congress for District 13 which is this district. I don’t have a long list of political credentials to say that I’m over-qualified for this job. I am a regular person just like you, who has lost two businesses due to politics. The first one during the Covid-19 lockdowns and the next one over the SB3 attack that happened this past year. I know what life is really like for the people in this district-families and small businesses who are one paycheck away from losing everything, who work very hard and still feel like they’re falling behind. Instead of our leaders fixing what is actually broken, they encourage us to blame each other for our beliefs, for our votes, for our identities, and for why our lives feel so hard. But if we’re honest, that’s not what we’re angry about. We’re not angry about people in other countries. We’re not losing sleep over people in other states. We’re losing sleep because our own quality of life is slipping. We’re working harder, paying more and getting less in return. And when people are struggling just to survive, compassion is the first thing that disappears. That’s what I see happening right now. When cruelty becomes normal, compassion looks radical. While running for Congress, I have learned something very different: the rooms where decision get made are not always filled with the most capable people. They’re usually filled with the most connected ones. That’s not an accusation, that’s an observation. Many people in power didn’t get there because they were the most prepared or the most in-touch with everyday life, but because they inherited access-a name, a donor network, a pipeline that was endorsed long before anyone was asked if they were the right person for the job. Most people in this district don’t live that way. I didn’t live that way, and still don’t. We built our lives without shortcuts. We work jobs without safety nets. We raise families without backup plans, and we solve problems without connections because we have to. I didn’t grow up with money or political access, everything I have built has come from showing up, working hard, asking questions, and refusing to disappear just because I wasn’t invited to a room. Here’s what I know: when access is limited to the same families and donors, it’s not just the new candidates that are shut out, it’s the people they’re supposed to represent. All of us. This district doesn’t need another representative who is placed in that position from a donor list or a legacy name. It needs someone who understands our lives because they’ve lived the same way. I’m not asking for permission, I’m not seeking approval from insiders, and I’m not trying to work the system that hasn’t been working for the people. I’m building something different in the same way the people of this district built their lives. By working, listening, showing up and refusing to be invisible. My campaign is not about fitting in. It’s about making sure the people who have been overlooked for far too long finally see themselves represented. Not someday, not hypothetically-right now. I’m thankful for the opportunity to be here tonight, and I hope that I can earn your trust to represent you.” Franklin McDonough, 223rd District Judge “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable unto you, oh Lord. I have had the privilege for 13 years, a month and a half to serve as your District Attorney for the 31st Judicial District for all five counties. Fourteen years ago, I decided to take a fearful step and run for office. I had the honor, the privilege, and the humility to call myself your District Attorney. In November the decision was made after prayer and fasting with my wife. A recognition that every step I’ve taken in my life led me here, to be your District Judge. I can stand here and tell you about a tough childhood. I can tell you about hard work-an Eagle Scout with three Eagle Palms, a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow. I can tell you that as a Plainview High School graduate in 1997, I stood on a stage in Austin and medaled in Extemporary Speaking, but that was after a junior year of not winning at all. I can tell you that going through law school, I was on three national teams, but I can tell you it didn’t take the anxiety away. Fourteen years ago I stood on the stage at the Pampa Chamber of Commerce and I began to sweat. Thanks to God, I don’t sweat anymore. I made the decision to resign my position as District Attorney to seek this office, and the day the Governor replaces me, I will no longer be your District Attorney. Because I have a new calling. Because I’ve been through the arena. Those who know me know I’ve had some major failures in life. But those who really know me know I am the only attorney who was qualified to sit with a young child and put them on the stand when they told about continuous sexual abuse, and two years ago I told you I was the only attorney qualified to sit for the 2024 Board Certification, and I came through. I’m going to tell you now as your District Judge within the first four years and if I’m qualified for another one, I promise you this: the citizens of Gray County deserve it, and I will get another certification. I’m asking for your vote.” Todd Alvey, 223rd District Judge “On behalf of my wife and children who are here, I want to say thank you to the Gray County Republican Party and to the Republican Women of Gray County for putting this forum on. I want to talk to you about the 223rd Judicial District Court of Gray County. It’s your court of general jurisdiction. In September of 2025, approximately a third of the cases that came through this court were family law cases. A third of those cases were civil cases, and a third of those cases were criminal cases. Family cases are divorces, child custody, and child modifications. Civil cases are personal injury, product liability, contested probates, and tax cases. Then there’s the felonies, the ones the legislature has determined if you commit a felony you should go to prison. These cases represent conflict. Our court matters when individuals, families, business, and legal entities have their disagreements, they turn to this court. The court must be a safe haven, a place where the rule of law rises and politics, personalities, and outside pressures don’t matter. It must be a place where every citizen of Gray County is heard and treated fairly. As many of you know, I sought this position once before when the bench was open. I was not the most qualified candidate at that time, and I can honestly tell you that I needed more time to grow, both personally and professionally. I needed to be better prepared for the responsibilites of the District Judge. I believe that God knew I needed the time and experience before being entrusted with such an important role. Today I can say with confidence that I am ready to serve this district. I have been practicing in this county for more than 34 years. I have represented people from both sides of the table. I have represented all types of people. Today I ask that you vote for me because I represent your same values, your common sense. I believe I am prepared for this role and I ask that you vote for me. Thank you.” Chris Porter, Gray County Judge “As I stand here right now, the state of our county is strong. We are debt free. Our tax rate is the lowest i’ts been in ten years. Our crime rate is a 31-year low. I would love to take the credit for all that, but I cannot. But under my direction, this is where we’re heading: we have an industry that is coming in knocking on our door, and I have a meeting with more industries that want to come into Gray County. It has been my goal that we shifted the tax burden off of us as individuals and onto industry. Since we have a slowing of the oil field and I think everyone in the room realizes it’s on its last legs, and we need to diversify or our population will continue to suffer. We’ve moved 3,000 criminal cases i