Sam Murphey, from Harker Heights, took a swipe at Ralph Sheffield of Temple during the first candidate’s forum Thursday in Harker Heights, accusing him of supporting school vouchers.
Sheffield quickly refuted Murphey’s accusation, calling school vouchers a bad choice for Bell County school children.
“I don’t think we need to do anything that will take away resources from our public schools,” Sheffield said. “I do believe we should empower parents ... to be able to choose the best education for their kids. Every child deserves a good education. Every child deserves a chance.”
Both men are running for the state seat recently vacated by Dianne White Delisi, who was appointed as civilian aid to the secretary of the Army last month.
Sheffield, who talked about his interest in improving the quality of life for Bell County residents, showcased his work ethic and his commitment to community.
“I am someone who has had to make a payroll, someone who employs 65 individuals and makes a difference in the community,” said Sheffield, who owns and operates Las Casas Mexican Food Restaurant. “I am someone who creates jobs, and knows what it means when government interferes in my business.”
Sheffield pledged to fight on issues, such as education, border security, highway funding and taxes.
“I am not afraid of hard work,” Sheffield said.
But it was Murphey, a retired Army officer and former aide to Congressman Chet Edwards, who showed moxie on many of the same issues.
“I think a legislator has a unique opportunity to go to Austin and participate in government,” Murphey said. “The one thing that makes the most difference is going to Austin and making sure your community is taken care of among the 149 districts in the state. I think you need someone who has experience, who will go down there and take care of our business here.”
Murphey pledged to improve the public school system, lower utility costs and lower health care costs by reducing the influence of special interest groups in Austin.
“I want Bell County to be a safe place to raise children, a good place to find a job and a great place to live,” Murphey said. “I promise you this, in Austin I’ll make sure our interests, our special interests, are represented.”
Some of those special interests, Murphey said, is the completed construction on Interstate 35, the opposition to the Trans-Texas Corridor and other toll-road projects, and finding ways to better fund education.
And when it came to many of those issues, Murphey and Sheffield seemed to be on the same page.
Both men agreed that education needed to be fully funded and that the schools need more qualified teachers in the classroom.
“I think taking public money away from public schools to give to private schools is not the right approach,” Murphey said.
Both candidates answered questions for about 45 minutes before being allowed to give their final remarks.
Murphey pledged to fight for the families in Bell County, and rise above what he called “petty party bickering.”
Sheffield promised to be a good steward for Bell County if he is elected and personally asked for everyone’s vote.
“I am a good Republican, and we have a good Republican House that has made a big difference in Austin,” Sheffield said.
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