ODESSA — State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) submitted a letter to Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner Mike Morath on Friday calling for a suspension of STAAR testing during the 2021-2022 school year.

“I’ve always opposed high-stakes testing,” Landgraf said. “We have all of the same reasons to suspend the STAAR test in 2022 that we had in 2020, only now there seems to be even greater mental health concerns in our public schools. We need to cancel administration of the STAAR test in 2022, and take what we’ve learned from the last few years to come up with a different assessment method for the future.”

In 2020, after receiving calls to cancel the STAAR test from Landgraf and other legislators, Commissioner Morath obtained waivers from the U.S. Department of Education to waive statewide assessment and accountability requirements for the 2019-2020 school year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. States are required to assess student and teacher progress annually in order to draw down federal dollars for public education funding unless waivers are granted by the federal government.

“I understand that assessment is necessary, but the high stakes nature of our current system does not work, and that is especially true in times of crisis like we are experiencing now,” Landgraf continued. “That is why I have joined with West Texas students, parents and teachers in calling for the STAAR test to be cancelled in 2020, 2021, and now again in 2022, and why I will continue fighting to eliminate high stakes testing when the legislature reconvenes for the next legislative session.”

In 2021, Landgraf joint-authored House Bill 764, which would have reduced testing requirements as much as allowable by federal law, eliminating the writing tests for 4th and 7th graders as well as the social studies test for 8th graders and replacing end-of-course exams for high schoolers with a process to allow high school students to take the SAT or ACT instead. HB 764 passed out of the Texas House of Representatives with overwhelming support, 136-6, but was not taken up for consideration in the Texas Senate prior to the end of the 87th Texas Legislative Session. Members of the Texas House and Senate will convene at the Texas Capitol for the next legislative session on January 10, 2023.

ODESSA — State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) has been endorsed for re-election to the Texas House of Representatives by the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT).

“I’m always proud to Back the Blue. And it’s an honor to have them back me as I run for re-election,” Landgraf said. “The Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas’ political action committee has endorsed me as their candidate in this election.”

Landgraf was informed of the endorsement in a letter, a portion of which reads, “The brave and courageous men and women of Texas law enforcement deserve representation, advocacy, and results they can count on. It is with pride that we endorse your campaign for State Representative of District 81.”

“CLEAT is the largest law enforcement organization in Texas, and they fight hard on the side of Texas police officers, sheriffs deputies, state troopers and other LEOs,” Landgraf continued. “I’m proud to be right there with them in that fight.”

During the 87th Texas Legislative Session in 2021, Landgraf co-authored House Bill 1900, a bill designed to penalize cities that try to defund their police departments. The bill eventually passed, going into effect on September 1, 2021.

ODESSA — The Texas Conservative Coalition is recognizing State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) for his leadership during the 87th Legislative Session and subsequent special sessions. 

The Texas Conservative Coalition is known as the “Conservative Caucus” of the Texas Legislature. Following each session, TCC recognizes Courageous Conservatives based on record votes taken during the session that adhere to the caucus’s principles of limited government, individual liberty, free enterprise, and traditional values. 

“Chairman Landgraf has one of the most conservative voting records in the Texas Legislature and is a steady, unwavering conservative voice in the Texas House of Representatives,” said State Representative James Frank (R- Wichita Falls) who chairs the Caucus, “Throughout the 87th Session and Special Sessions, Landgraf cut taxes, protected the unborn, defended the Second Amendment, prioritized securing our border, and stood strong in  Texas’ fight to protect Texans from the Biden administration’s vaccine mandates.”

“I’m 100% opposed to governments mandating COVID-19 vaccinations, and I believe that free people should be able to make the choice for themselves and their families,” Landgraf said. “That is why I have done everything within my constitutional authority as a state representative to fight back against the Biden administration’s unconstitutional COVID-19 vaccine mandates.”

Landgraf, coauthored House Bill 168 during the most recent session of the Texas Legislature to protect Texans from being forced to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine. 

In addition to his leadership as a lawmaker, Landgraf has signed multiple briefs to the U.S. Court of Appeals opposing the Biden administration’s vaccine mandates, including one that was spearheaded by the Texas Conservative Coalition. 

The State of Texas, through the Texas Attorney General, has challenged each federal COVID-19 mandate in court. Governor Greg Abbott, through executive order, has forbidden Texas government entities and businesses from forcing vaccine mandates on Texans. 

“I have supported and will continue to support the state’s successful legal challenges to vaccine mandates as the courts are the last venue available for this fight to play out absent a change in federal law,” Landgraf continued. “Like many Texans, I’m fed up with government overreach into our daily lives,” Landgraf said. “The Biden Administration has abandoned the limited government principles laid out in our Constitution.”

“If the governor exercises his constitutional prerogative—which only the governor has—to call a special session to further ban government mandates of the COVID-19 vaccine, I will proudly be there to again support that bill and vote for it,” Landgraf added.

ODESSA — State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) joined U.S. Representative August Pfluger (TX-11), Ector County Sheriff Mike Griffis, and Kevin Sparks in Del Rio on Tuesday, January 4, 2022, for an update on federal border security efforts and Operation Lone Star.

“We are a country that is guided by the rule of law, and out-of-control illegal immigration makes a mockery of this principle,” Representative Landgraf said. “That is why I'm proud to have supported efforts to improve border security at every turn and why I will not stop fighting until the Texas border is secure."

Representative Landgraf helped allocate an additional $2.9 billion for Texas border security operations in 2021-2022, and did so without raising or creating any new taxes. This funding paved the way for Operation Lone Star, a joint effort between the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Texas National Guard to prevent human smuggling and drug trafficking coming from Mexico into Texas. The operation deploys air, ground, marine, and tactical border security assets to high-threat areas along the border. Since the launch of Operation Lone Star, thousands of pounds of drugs such as meth, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl have been seized. DPS reports, the amount of fentanyl seized so far is enough to kill 36 million people. The operation has also resulted in over 185,000 apprehensions of illegal migrants.

"Where the Biden administration has failed to act, Texas has stepped up, and I’m proud to be a leader in our state’s fight," Representative Landgraf said. "After visiting Del Rio on Tuesday, I saw with my own eyes just how much more work needs to be done and I'm not going to let up."

"On this visit, we learned that the Del Rio sector saw more illegal migrant crossings in 2021 than in the past nine years combined," Congressman August Pfluger explained. "Without Texas’ border security resources, DPS officers, and law enforcement personnel—the chaos we are seeing along the border would be even worse. I applaud the efforts of the Texas Legislature—including Rep. Landgraf, Rep. Murr, Speaker Craddick, and others—as well as Ector County Sheriff Griffis and all of our law enforcement heroes in this district who are pitching in and working tirelessly to secure our border."

Texas is also picking up the slack when it comes to the border wall, providing $1 billion to finish the work halted by the Biden administration. Construction of the barrier, which is also being partially funded by private donations, is already underway on state owned land.

"It’s the federal government’s job to secure our border, but in Texas, we don’t ask for permission to defend our sovereignty and protect our communities—and we aren’t going to ask for forgiveness either," Representative Landgraf stated. "The brave men and women in uniform stationed at the border are heroes, making every Texan safer. They are catching some of the world’s worst criminals, preventing crimes before they happen and liberating countless children from the shackles of human trafficking."

Show your support for a secure Texas border by voting for State Representative Brooks Landgraf on March 1, 2022. Early voting for the Republican Primary Election runs February 14 - 25, 2022.

Brooks Landgraf has the support of Texas Law Enforcement across the state, with the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT) endorsing Landgraf for reelection.

CLEAT's endorsement reads in part: “Because of your commitment to law enforcement and criminal justice issues and your public position regarding issues that will impact the rank-and-file officers in the state, the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, or CLEAT, has endorsed your candidacy for State Representative." 

ODESSA — State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) hosted a town hall on Thursday evening in Kermit. During the event, Rep. Landgraf provided an update on actions taken by the Texas legislature in 2021 and fielded questions from those in attendance. This wraps up Landgraf’s 2021 post-session town hall schedule, in which he hosted a town hall in each of the four counties he serves as a member of the Texas House of Representatives.

“It’s an honor to represent Winkler County in the Texas House,” Landgraf said. “It was an evening with great people and great food and I’m thankful to everyone who found time in their busy schedules to make it out. The folks in Kermit, Wink and Winkler County know I’ve got their back, and I know they’ve got mine.”

During the town hall Landgraf fielded questions regarding, among other things, transportation challenges faced in the Permian Basin, federal vaccine mandate concerns, state healthcare needs, and his work as chairman of the House Environmental Regulation Committee.

“I always want to travel the district after a legislative session to hear directly from my constituents. So after a few overtime sessions, it was especially nice to see some friendly faces from Kermit and Wink and have an honest discussion about all the legislature did in 2021 while enjoying some delicious BBQ. I’m thankful to everyone who attended and to Poor Daddy’s BBQ for doing an excellent job once again,” Landgraf concluded.

ODESSA — State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) hosted a town hall on Tuesday evening in Andrews at the Andrews Senior Activity Center. During the event, Rep. Landgraf provided an update on actions taken by the Texas legislature in 2021 and fielded questions from those in attendance. This was one of four town halls Landgraf is scheduled to host before the end of the year, one in each of the four counties he serves as a member of the Texas House of Representatives.

“Andrews will always have a special place in my heart,” Landgraf said. “I appreciate everyone for coming out and making this town hall special. I’m sad that Andrews County is no longer going to be in HD 81, but my staff and I look forward to providing the highest level of constituent services possible between now and January, 2023.”

Following the results of the 2020 census and 2021 state redistricting process, Andrews County was drawn out of House District 81, represented by Landgraf, and into House District 88. The new state house map is in effect for the 2022 primary and general elections, meaning Landgraf will continue representing Andrews County until January 10, 2023, when his current term ends and duly elected members of the Texas House and Senate are sworn in for a new two-year term.

Republican State Representative Ken King, who represents House District 88, joined Landgraf at the town hall. King, a former school board member, is on the House Public Education Committee and serves as chair of the House Culture, Recreation and Tourism Committee. King is President of Black Gold Pump and Supply Inc., in Canadian, Texas. 

During the town hall, Landgraf fielded questions regarding, among other things, border security, the state’s power grid, law enforcement needs, and his work to secure transportation funding for the Permian Basin.

“I’m so thankful to Chairman King and all of the folks in Andrews who came and asked questions, especially those who came early and stayed late to help set up and take down the town hall. Y’all have embraced me like a son. No matter what happens, I will never stop fighting for the people of Andrews and the Permian Basin,” Landgraf concluded.

ODESSA — State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) filed papers Thursday with the Republican Party of Texas to run for re-election to the Texas House of Representatives.

“I love West Texas and remain unwaveringly committed to our time-honored principles of liberty, self-reliance and integrity,” Landgraf said. “I’m in the best position to do the most good for West Texas and fight for our conservative values in the Texas House of Representatives. Together we’ve made the voice of West Texas as strong as it has ever been in the Texas Capitol, and we’re not done yet.”

Thanks in part to Landgraf’s leadership this year, the Texas Legislature passed pro-Second Amendment constitutional carry legislation, a pro-life heartbeat bill and dedicated nearly $3 billion to secure the border where the Biden administration has failed, among other groundbreaking conservative legislative victories.  

Landgraf also serves as the Chair of the House Environmental Regulation Committee, which is a vitally important committee for the Permian Basin’s energy industry and the West Texans Landgraf serves. As chairman, Landgraf killed radical environmental policy proposals in 2021. Bills seeking to outlaw flaring, attempting to create climate change councils, or calling for the passage of the Green New Deal did not see the light of day in the committee under his watch. 

Landgraf has fought hard to ensure state resources are prioritized for the Permian Basin, and the fruit of his labor is becoming more and more evident, exemplified by the record-breaking transportation funding that has been secured for the Permian Basin the last three years in a row. The state’s most recent budget discussions resulted in several other major wins for West Texas, including additional funding for rural school districts, hundreds of millions of dollars for rural broadband infrastructure, funding for higher education construction projects in Odessa, and $40 million to build a Permian Basin behavioral health center set to be complete by 2024.

“It is with a humble heart full of gratitude that I once again ask for your vote. I’m honored to serve the community where I was raised, where I met my wife and where we have chosen to raise our daughter. That’s why I will never stop fighting for the Permian Basin. This is my home. With your vote and prayerful support, I’ll continue to be the  voice West Texans deserve to have in the Texas House of Representatives,” Landgraf concluded.

ODESSA — State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) will host a town hall on Thursday, December 9 in Kermit at Poor Daddy’s BBQ. During the event, Rep. Landgraf will provide an update on actions taken by the Texas legislature in 2021. This is the one of four town halls Landgraf is scheduled to host before the end of the year, one in each of the four counties he represents.

“These town halls are an opportunity for the community to come together, ask questions and get a no-nonsense update on what the Texas legislature has been up to and how it impacts our lives in the Permian Basin,” Landgraf said. “This is going to be a family-style event and food will be provided.”

Winkler County Town Hall
WHEN: Thursday, December 9, 2021 | 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Poor Daddy's BBQ (123 N Mulberry St, Kermit, Texas 79745)