Texas House candidate makes campaign stop in Sulphur Springs

A small crowd showed up Tuesday evening to meet Jill Dutton, one of the Republican candidates for the now-vacant Texas House District 2 seat. The event was hosted by Becke Anderson, Crystal Tyson Collins, Emily Glass, Kim Hewitt, Mandy Kennedy, Kayla Price Mitchell, Suzie Moffat and Nancy Swint.

Dutton thanked all the hostesses and attendees for coming before commenting on the attractiveness of the downtown area.“I am just impressed with what you guys have achieved with your Main Street and downtown. It’s just beautiful!”

She presented her qualifications, including having built a small business, which she said was very similar to running for office. She then listed her political experience, including working on elections in Van Zandt County, including her own successful campaign for a seat on the Van ISD school board, and block-walking during at least one of Dan Flynn’s campaign. [Flynn served as the Texas House District 2 Representative from 2003-2021.] Dutton currently serves as precinct chair, deputy voter registrar and secretary for the Van Zandt County Executive Committee. She previously served as a member of the Van ISD school board for 10 years.

Dutton explained why she believes her prior experience will serve her well if she is elected in November.

“There is no better legislator than a former school board member,” she said. “They have a firm understanding of how legislation can affect policy at the local level. We are used to parliamentary procedure and working as a body to get things accomplished. One member cannot make an independent decision. They have to work together to get things done,” the Republican candidate said.

According to Dutton, the three largest concerns Texas has going into the November election are border security, property taxes and Texas’ current exponential growth. She said she has grave concerns about state spending, which has risen from millions to billions of dollars over the last several years.

Lowering property taxes “is on everybody’s list these days, whether it’s protesting with the appraisal district … or just concerned about those rising appraisals,” Dutton said, citing large increases in Texas property taxes over the last several years. An amendment to raise the homestead exemption from $40,000 to $100,000 will be on the November ballot.

“All of that is really great news, but we also need to start talking about an appraisal cap and reforming our apprais- al district. Our cities, our counties, our schools are very limited on the tax rate. Appraisals are out of control right now,” Dutton said.

Sulphur Springs, Hunt and Van Zandt counties are already experiencing some of that “exponential growth that is coming” eastward, she noted. She expressed pride in how Hopkins County has planned for its growth well in infrastructure, but said roads and broadband still need work [within HD2].

“We also need to be planning and preparing for the liberals who are also moving from the cities and the liberal policies and culture they’re bringing with them,” Dutton stated. ”We need to be prepared as a school, as a city, as a county, to be ready to stand up against that—to stand up for our family values. Often times, the Texas Legislature sees what’s going on in Dallas and says, ‘We need to do something about that.’ So they write a law, which may be great for their agenda in Dallas, but that’s not necessarily what’s going to resonate or even be needed or wanted here in Sulphur Springs.”

“I want to listen, first and foremost,” Dutton told her guests. “I have a lot to learn—I know I do. I want to come to city council meetings, to commissioners courts, and I want to learn about what’s important to you and what your needs are. I want to help. I love putting people together and finding answers. I also want to unify.”

The Republican Party, Dutton noted, is fractured and divided, which she says hampers Legislators’ ability to serve Texas House [of Representatives] and the Texas Senate.

“We’re too busy fighting each other. I want to respect people where they are; I want to love people where they are. We may not always agree, but I’m always going to respect your opinion, and I’m always going to listen. I’m interested in representing House District 2,” Dutton said.

Susan Flynn, wife of the late District 2 Rep. Dan Flynn, said of Dutton, “She really is who she says she is. She will get the job done.”

Susan Flynn, wife of the late District 2 Rep. Dan Flynn,