Aaron Kinsey
Republican Candidate for State Board of Education, District 15
Kinsey/Photo by Campaign
Question: What is your age?
Answer: 39
Q: What is your educational background? Please list any degrees or certificates earned and any institutions attended.
A: Canton High School. Texas A&M University (BBA in Accounting and MS in Finance). MBA from Harvard Business School.
Q: What is your occupation?
A: CEO of American Patrols, an aerial patrol company based with a 26-plane operation that assists energy companies in minimizing liquid and gas emissions.
Q: If you are a business owner, please list the business or businesses that you own. (If this question is not applicable, please note that below.)
A: Bear Capital
Q: Please list any civic boards or commissions (non-profit, government, union, political, etc.) on which you have served as a board member or equivalent.
A: Co-President of Republican and Free Enterprise Clubs at Harvard Business School
Q: Have you previously held or do you currently hold any elected office? If so, what office(s)?
A: No
Q: If your campaign has any online campaign resources where voters can learn more about you, such as social media accounts or a website, please list them below.
A: Website - www.AaronKinsey.com
Instagram – @aaronkinseytx / www.instagram.com/aaronkinseytx
Facebook – Aaron Kinsey for TX SBOE / www.facebook.com/AaronKinseyforTXSBOE
Q: Why did you decide to run for this office in 2022?
A: I was the first in my family to graduate from college. After serving in the United States Air Force, I achieved my dream of attending Harvard Business School. I know how important education is to set someone up for success. I also know how crucial it is to have the right leaders in education to encourage, grow, strengthen, and guide students. Mentors such as these have been vital throughout my own life.
As a father of three, I am deeply concerned about the direction of our schools, particularly as it relates to our education curriculum. Texas needs leaders who are passionate about educating our kids without allowing radical agendas to slowly infiltrate our schools and the developing minds of our children.
When looking at outcomes for Texas children, the results beg the question of whether the status quo is working for our kids.
My background speaks to my experience in rebuilding broken systems. From military training environments to investment portfolio management to organizational operations, I’m seasoned and successful in transforming systems to reach new heights. Texas education has yet to reach its fullest potential - and I’m the warrior to lead the charge.
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities in office?
A: My number one priority will be to defend our children’s curriculums and textbooks, ensuring that we are teaching history and social studies without shaming and dividing our students. I will never put politics ahead of our kids. Additionally, I will ensure that Texas textbooks and our library books do not contain content that sexualizes our children or encroaches upon parental rights.
Secondly, I will work to create a COVID-19 education recovery plan that focuses on students who have fallen behind due to the pandemic’s impact. This plan will provide opportunities to efficiently get back on track to educational success. This new challenge is going to be solved by creativity and fresh solutions.
Finally, I will make sure that the Permanent Education Fund is managed responsibly. In an environment where students are so far behind academically, we must be fiscally responsible for the rainy day savings Texas taxpayers have contributed. Every dollar should benefit our students. I have the financial experience to ensure it happens.
Q: What is an issue you believe has gone overlooked in your race and how will you address it if elected?
A: We know that Texas kids are behind academically. They’re currently on track to lose 6% of their lifetime earning potential. Sixty percent of fourth graders are reading or writing below grade level. Historically, ninety-five percent of those behind never catch up. We all know that a 40% on a test in school or our professional careers is not even close to passing. This is unacceptable.
We have a moral obligation to get our kids back on track for success. But against this backdrop, there are wolves among us that are intent to push “new” social ideas on our children. These ideologies will lead to societal unraveling. Dividing our children into groups, teaching CRT (or rebranded versions of it), and telling children they are limited in what they can achieve is cruel - and dangerous. These radical ideas and teachings will only weaken our kids and our state.
Q: Why are you the best candidate for voters to support for this position?
A: New challenges call for new leaders with fresh perspectives. Our kids need a strategic thinker. Strategy is a skill my experiences in the Air Force and in business have ingrained in me.
Our kids deserve someone who isn’t content with the status quo, a leader willing to stand up for the kids’ best interests and one who is passionate about their success. My life experiences have not only motivated me to fight for improvements for our children, but they have also prepared me to win the battle.
In the wake of 9/11, I signed up to serve our country abroad. In the wake of Covid-19, I’m signing up to fight for our kids at home.