You have probably heard the quote, "all it takes for evil to prevail, is for good men to do nothing". I believe this is true, but would also argue that, "all it takes for mediocrity to prevail, is for good, innovative men to do nothing". This belief is what has motivated me to run for Texas State Senate District 31. I'm running to keep Texas, Texas!

My wonderful wife, Jill, and I have had the privilege of raising our four children in this great District. During these years, we have been actively involved in many local ministries including Stonegate Fellowship, Young Life, High Sky Children's Ranch and Walk to Emmaus. We have also spent our time coaching numerous youth sports teams, hosting school events and leading groups like Indian Guides/Princess and Natural Gas Producers Association.

Although my family's roots go back to the Panhandle, I was raised in Midland, Texas. I grew up going to the oilfield with my dad. After earning a business degree from the University of Texas, I moved back to Midland to join my dad and brothers in the oil and gas business. I started as a pumper and roustabout. After chasing pulling units, managing field projects and personnel, working with ranchers and farmers, I ultimately became President of Discovery Operating, Inc. I have more than 35 years of practical oil and gas experience. Our industry makes up more than 25% of the State's whole economy. Currently there's not a single state senator with any oil and gas experience. With your vote we can change that.

I know what it takes to help run a successful, small business. Discovery Operating, Inc. will celebrate it's 50th anniversary next year. I understand the burden of unnecessary government regulation and attacks from the woke culture. Ranchers and farmers, coffee shop owners and manufacturing facilities and all small business owners face similar challenges. The need to match people's skillsets to the proper job is vital, in order for them to be fulfilled and for operations to be completed well. As an entrepreneur, I appreciate challenges as opportunities to improve and innovate. These are ideals that must be molded as any piece of legislation is considered. We must remind ourselves and those around us that our country and our state was founded on the concept of "self-governance". Our freedoms and liberties were given to us by our Creator. With those freedoms come the responsibility to "treat our neighbors as ourselves". We have the obligation to work for the betterment of our whole community.

It's critical that some issues like the border crisis and parent's rights are addressed immediately. There are many other issues, like healthcare, education and taxes that are just as critical to the long-term health of our state and our communities that must be addressed methodically. We must always strive to craft policy that is visionary, not reactionary. If we don't, what we have today can be gone tomorrow.

Our communities across Senate District 31 are great because our people are great. They are people of faith, they love their family, they are not afraid of hard work, and they give back and invest in their communities. They deserve and expect a senator with strong convictions and steady resolve. With my ties to the Panhandle and the Permian Basin, I believe that I am uniquely positioned to represent this vast district of 45 counties. I am confident that I can help unite our community leaders and our business leaders from across the whole district from north and south and east to west so that we speak with one voice in Austin. Between agriculture and energy, District 31 accounts for a significant percentage of our state's whole economy. We need to use that influence collectively at the state level.

I believe my faith in Christ and my deep appreciation for personal liberties will help keep me grounded as I work to provide a sustainable path for the next generation to flourish. I will judge our success, not by how much Austin influences us, but by how much we influence Austin.

Proverbs 13:22 states, "A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children". I want to leave a "healthy Texas" to all our children's children.

Respectfully for Texas,

Kevin Sparks