Casey Shepard

[{"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Casey Shepard completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Shepard's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-389700-2026-02-02\" id=\"heading-bio-389700-2026-02-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-389700-2026-02-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-389700-2026-02-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-389700-2026-02-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-389700-2026-02-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI’m a seventh generation Texan and a third generation Central Texan. This is Home. I graduated from Midway High School, where I discovered a passion for public policy debate that carried me to Loyola Marymount University on a debate scholarship. I later earned my law degree from the UC Davis, Martin Luther King Jr. Hall School of Law.\r\n<p>Today, I serve as a criminal defense attorney for indigent clients in McLennan County, standing with vulnerable communities that government too often overlooks. My career has been defined by confronting powerful systems, protecting constitutional rights, and giving a voice to those who can’t afford one.\r\n</p>\nI believe the country is facing a pivotal moment, with core democratic principles — rule of law, freedom, civil rights — crumbling before our eyes at the hands of the leaders in Washington. I am trained, practiced, and battle tested in the skills required to navigate high pressure fights, challenge government overreach, and defend fundamental freedoms — and I won’t hesitate to hit back when Texans’ freedom and values are under attack.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-389700-2026-02-02\" id=\"heading-key-message-389700-2026-02-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-389700-2026-02-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-389700-2026-02-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-389700-2026-02-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-389700-2026-02-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>I will fight an executive branch that has grown far beyond its proper limits and I’m committed to restoring the balance of power on which our democracy depends. I’m willing to work across the aisle when it serves the public good, but I won’t compromise on core principles or ignore abuses of power.\r\nMy focus will be accountability. That means working with others to scrutinize executive agencies, investigate misconduct, and act when institutions fail the people they’re meant to serve. It also means using every lawful tool available — from adjusting agency funding to supporting constitutional remedies, including impeachment — when leaders refuse to respect the limits of their authority.</li><li>During the fight on Capitol Hill, my legislative priorities are food stability, healthcare access, and affordable housing. As we protect our democratic institutions, we must support the most vulnerable. I’ll work to strengthen SNAP, WIC, school meals, farm subsidies, loan assistance, and USAID food programs. I’ll focus on improving ACA premium subsidies, Medicaid, CHIP, and SAMHSA. And I’ll support restoring Section 8, rental assistance, public housing, government‑backed mortgage aid, and HUD programs for low‑income housing.</li><li>I will work with Democratic coalitions that support Democratic priorities like compassionate immigration reform, racial justice and DEI, bodily autonomy, gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, expanded voter access, foreign policy rooted in peace, cooperation and full participation in multinational organizations, mutually beneficial trade policy, a renewable‑energy economy, climate change action, and broader education, job training opportunities for ALL Americans and addressing the extreme wealth gap in this country. These goals are ambitious, but achievable when we stand together.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-389700-2026-02-02\" id=\"heading1-389700-2026-02-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-389700-2026-02-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-389700-2026-02-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-389700-2026-02-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-389700-2026-02-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMental health is extremely important to me. One in five Americans lives with a mental health condition, and untreated illness is linked to crime, substance abuse, homelessness, social isolation, and even reduced economic growth. Studies show unaddressed mental health issues cost about 1.7% of our GDP each year — the impact of a recession. Addressing this crisis is both a moral and economic imperative. I support the vital work of SAMHSA and other public health initiatives focused on mental health and would seek to expand and improve such programs as a legislator.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nCasey Shepard completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Shepard's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. I’m a seventh generation Texan and a third generation Central Texan. This is Home. I graduated from Midway High School, where I discovered a passion for public policy debate that carried me to Loyola Marymount University on a debate scholarship. I later earned my law degree from the UC Davis, Martin Luther King Jr. Hall School of Law. Today, I serve as a criminal defense attorney for indigent clients in McLennan County, standing with vulnerable communities that government too often overlooks. My career has been defined by confronting powerful systems, protecting constitutional rights, and giving a voice to those who can’t afford one. I believe the country is facing a pivotal moment, with core democratic principles — rule of law, freedom, civil rights — crumbling before our eyes at the hands of the leaders in Washington. I am trained, practiced, and battle tested in the skills required to navigate high pressure fights, challenge government overreach, and defend fundamental freedoms — and I won’t hesitate to hit back when Texans’ freedom and values are under attack. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? I will fight an executive branch that has grown far beyond its proper limits and I’m committed to restoring the balance of power on which our democracy depends. I’m willing to work across the aisle when it serves the public good, but I won’t compromise on core principles or ignore abuses of power.\r\nMy focus will be accountability. That means working with others to scrutinize executive agencies, investigate misconduct, and act when institutions fail the people they’re meant to serve. It also means using every lawful tool available — from adjusting agency funding to supporting constitutional remedies, including impeachment — when leaders refuse to respect the limits of their authority. During the fight on Capitol Hill, my legislative priorities are food stability, healthcare access, and affordable housing. As we protect our democratic institutions, we must support the most vulnerable. I’ll work to strengthen SNAP, WIC, school meals, farm subsidies, loan assistance, and USAID food programs. I’ll focus on improving ACA premium subsidies, Medicaid, CHIP, and SAMHSA. And I’ll support restoring Section 8, rental assistance, public housing, government‑backed mortgage aid, and HUD programs for low‑income housing. I will work with Democratic coalitions that support Democratic priorities like compassionate immigration reform, racial justice and DEI, bodily autonomy, gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, expanded voter access, foreign policy rooted in peace, cooperation and full participation in multinational organizations, mutually beneficial trade policy, a renewable‑energy economy, climate change action, and broader education, job training opportunities for ALL Americans and addressing the extreme wealth gap in this country. These goals are ambitious, but achievable when we stand together. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Mental health is extremely important to me. One in five Americans lives with a mental health condition, and untreated illness is linked to crime, substance abuse, homelessness, social isolation, and even reduced economic growth. Studies show unaddressed mental health issues cost about 1.7% of our GDP each year — the impact of a recession. Addressing this crisis is both a moral and economic imperative. I support the vital work of SAMHSA and other public health initiatives focused on mental health and would seek to expand and improve such programs as a legislator.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it."}, {"question": "Campaign website", "answer_html": "<p>Shepard's campaign website stated the following:\n</p>\n<div style=\"height:400px;overflow:scroll;border:1px solid gray;margin:20px;padding:10px;\">\n<table data-nosnippet=\"\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse; border: none;background-color: transparent; auto; ;\">\n<tbody><tr>\n<td style=\"border:none; color:#B2B7F2;font-size:35px;font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 10px 3px;\" valign=\"top\" width=\"20\">“\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; padding: 4px 10px;\" valign=\"top\">\n<p>1. Saving Democracy\n</p>\n<ul><li>Protect the separation of powers by making sure Congress can fully check the actions of the executive branch.</li></ul>\n<ul><li>Defend the rule of law by supporting a strong and independent judicial branch that can review executive decisions.</li></ul>\n<ul><li>Improve leadership across federal agencies through careful vetting of executive appointments and holding department heads accountable when they fail to do their jobs.</li></ul>\n<p>2. Feeding the Hungry\n</p>\n<ul><li>Protect and expand food programs so every person has access to the basic right to food.</li></ul>\n<ul><li>Strengthen support for families by fully funding SNAP and school breakfast and lunch programs.</li></ul>\n<ul><li>Rebuild global food stability by restoring the USAID Food Program and ending tariffs that raise food prices.</li></ul>\n<p>3. Caring for the Sick\n</p>\n<ul><li>Improve access to care by strengthening medical funding so every American can get help when they are sick or injured.</li></ul>\n<ul><li>Restore support for Medicaid and Medicare to ensure seniors, families, and people with disabilities receive the care they need.</li></ul>\n<ul><li>Grow and support the health‑care workforce by recognizing nurse practitioners and other providers as professionals eligible for federal student aid, and by updating immigration policy so more trained medical workers can legally serve our communities.</li></ul>\n<p>4. Housing the Homeless\n</p>\n<ul><li>Encourage new housing development by offering tax incentives that make it easier to build affordable homes.</li></ul>\n<ul><li>Support low‑income families by fully funding rental assistance programs so more people can keep stable housing.</li></ul>\n<ul><li>Lower construction costs and grow the workforce by ending tariffs that raise material prices and updating immigration policy so trained foreign construction workers can legally help build more homes.</li></ul>\n<p><sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-quotedisclaimer_2-0\"><a href=\"#cite_note-quotedisclaimer-2\">[2]</a></sup>\n</p>\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; color: #B2B7F2; font-size: 35px; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: right; padding: 10px 1px;\" valign=\"bottom\" width=\"20\">”\n</td></tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"cquotecite\" colspan=\"3\" style=\"border: none; padding-right: 4%\"><cite style=\"font-style: normal;font-size: smaller; float: right;\">—Casey Shepard’s campaign website (2026)<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-3\"><a href=\"#cite_note-3\">[3]</a></sup></cite>\n</td></tr></tbody></table>\n</div>", "answer_text": "Shepard's campaign website stated the following:\n“ 1. Saving Democracy Protect the separation of powers by making sure Congress can fully check the actions of the executive branch. Defend the rule of law by supporting a strong and independent judicial branch that can review executive decisions. Improve leadership across federal agencies through careful vetting of executive appointments and holding department heads accountable when they fail to do their jobs. 2. Feeding the Hungry Protect and expand food programs so every person has access to the basic right to food. Strengthen support for families by fully funding SNAP and school breakfast and lunch programs. Rebuild global food stability by restoring the USAID Food Program and ending tariffs that raise food prices. 3. Caring for the Sick Improve access to care by strengthening medical funding so every American can get help when they are sick or injured. Restore support for Medicaid and Medicare to ensure seniors, families, and people with disabilities receive the care they need. Grow and support the health‑care workforce by recognizing nurse practitioners and other providers as professionals eligible for federal student aid, and by updating immigration policy so more trained medical workers can legally serve our communities. 4. Housing the Homeless Encourage new housing development by offering tax incentives that make it easier to build affordable homes. Support low‑income families by fully funding rental assistance programs so more people can keep stable housing. Lower construction costs and grow the workforce by ending tariffs that raise material prices and updating immigration policy so trained foreign construction workers can legally help build more homes. [2] ” —Casey Shepard’s campaign website (2026) [3]"}]