The following Q&A was sent to each candidate in August 2026. Responses provided were submitted by the Sun’s press deadline in mid-October and fit within a given wordcount.
John Carter (Republican, Incumbent)
Why did you choose to run for Congress?
John Carter: I’m running for Congress as an extension of a life dedicated to public service. I took my first oath to serve Texas as a District Judge, and I have remained under oath in service to my neighbors ever since. Service is not a phase of my life. It is who I am. I am proud of what I have accomplished during my tenure, and I look forward to continuing that service by fighting every day for the people of this district and the values that make Texas strong.
What prior experience do you have?
Carter: During my time in Congress, I have delivered real results for the American people and for the people of this district. This most recent year was no exception. Through my work on Appropriations and my seniority, I have continued to secure resources, protect our military, support veterans, and advocate for Central Texas priorities. Right now, President Trump needs experienced leaders on Capitol Hill who understand how the institution works and who can help ensure the remainder of his term is successful. Experience matters when the stakes are high, and I will continue using mine to fight for the people I represent.
Where are you from, and how do you relate to the community?
Carter: I’ve been blessed to raise my family here, build a life here, and grow in my faith here. Central Texas has been home to me my entire adult life. I live in Round Rock, worship at Central Baptist and Palm Valley Lutheran, and this community is where I’ve served and put down roots. This isn’t just where I live. It’s home. I’m proud to be from here, proud to be a Texan, and grateful to be an American.
What issues are you campaigning on?
Carter: I am not campaigning on issues. I am campaigning on results. Since being elected to Congress, I have built a proven record of supporting secure borders, election integrity, and the protection of constitutional liberties. I believe government exists to serve the people, not control them. I oppose policies that undermine the rule of law, expand federal overreach, or weaken the foundations that hold our nation together. My focus is on delivering practical outcomes that strengthen public safety, protect freedom, and preserve the constitutional principles that make our country strong.
What would you hope to accomplish if reelected?
Carter: Our country faces serious challenges, and I will continue to provide steady, principled leadership focused on accountability and results. I will keep working to defend the Constitution, protect individual liberty, and ensure the federal government is responsive to the people it serves. My priority is listening carefully to constituents, focusing on real solutions rather than political theatrics, and delivering outcomes that strengthen our communities and our nation. I am proud to support President Donald Trump’s agenda to secure the border, strengthen our economy, and put America first, and I will continue working to advance those priorities in Congress.
What makes District 31 worth fighting for?
Carter: District 31 is worth fighting for because it represents the values that built this country: hard work, personal responsibility, faith, family and freedom. The families, veterans, farmers, small business owners and first responders who call this district home don’t ask for special treatment. They ask for a government that respects them, protects their livelihoods, and stays out of their way. District 31 deserves a strong, steady voice in Congress who will stand up for Texas values, defend our way of life, and make sure the concerns of this district are never ignored.
What makes you stand out from the other candidates?
Carter: In short, my ability to deliver results sets me apart. Since being elected to Congress, I have built a proven record of supporting Texas values and delivering for my constituents. We are at a critical moment in our nation’s history, and we need members of Congress who will not only work with President Trump, but who have his full confidence. I am the only person in this race who does. I worked with President Trump during his first term, and I am running for office because I believe our communities thrive when leaders defend the values that hold society together. Leadership should be about stewardship, integrity, and accountability.
What are you known for in your community?
Carter: Most folks know me simply as “Judge.” I’m a man of faith, a husband who puts his wife first, and a dad who shows up for his kids. My family and my faith keep me grounded and remind me every day what really matters. In my community, people know me as someone who keeps his word, treats others with respect, and is willing to step up and serve when needed. That’s how I’ve lived my life, and it’s how I approach public service.
Justin Early (Democrat)
Why did you choose to run for Congress?
Justin Early: I’m running because the problems we face in District 31 are not just Texas problems; they’re American problems. Families are struggling with affordability, our democracy needs defending, and we need responsible leadership on technology and the future of work. After the 2024 election, I decided I could not just complain about the direction of the country. I wanted to be part of the solution, starting at home. The challenges in CD-31 are the same challenges facing the nation.
What prior experience do you have?
Early: I served as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne and worked at the Pentagon after 9/11. Today, I’m a cybersecurity architect protecting the systems our economy depends on. I’ve also been a precinct chair, delegate and volunteer on campaigns. My career has been about service, accountability and solving real problems. I don’t just have opinions, I have operational experience.
What part of the district are you from, and how do you relate to the community?
Early: I grew up in Killeen and Leander, then moved back to Central Texas because this is home. Today I live in Georgetown. I know the growth, the traffic, the schools, the housing challenges, and the pride people feel here. I’m not running to represent this community from a distance. I’m your neighbor and I live the same daily realities. This community raised me, and now I want to serve it.
What issues are you campaigning on?
Early: My campaign centers on security, dignity, and Opportunity for every Texan. That translates into three big priorities: affordability, responsible technology and AI, and defending our democracy. Families need relief from rising healthcare, housing, and childcare costs. We need clear guardrails for tech that protect jobs, privacy and national security. And we must strengthen voting rights and democratic institutions so people trust their government again. I stay focused on what families feel every week, not cable news talking points. I’m running for kitchen table issues, not political theater.
If elected, what would you hope to accomplish with your time in office?
Early: I want to bring real representative government back to District 31 through town halls, strong constituent service, and transparent leadership. I will work to lower healthcare costs, increase affordable housing, protect reproductive freedom, support military families, and establish strong data privacy protections. My goal is simple: help working families get ahead again. If families aren’t feeling progress at home, then the government isn’t working the way it should.
What makes District 31 worth fighting for?
Early: This district represents the future of Texas. We have military families, teachers, small business owners, and people who came here to build a life and put down roots. It is one of the fastest-growing parts of the country, which means the decisions made in Washington affect us quickly and directly. District 31 deserves a strong voice who will bring resources home and fight for working families every day. This community works hard, serves proudly, and deserves leadership that matches that commitment.
What makes you stand out from the other candidates?
Early: People consistently tell me they feel energized and hopeful after meeting me, and that matters in a race like this. I bring the energy, urgency and work ethic needed to win a tough district and do the job well. My background in the military, national security, and cybersecurity also gives me a modern perspective on the challenges facing families today. Most importantly, I’m building a campaign that motivates new voters and reminds people that their voice matters.
Outside of your candidacy, what are you known for in your community?
Early: I’m known as someone who’s easy to talk to and quick to laugh. People often describe me as gregarious and jovial, and I take that as a compliment. I love books, I volunteer, and my family even has a monthly book club. At the end of the day, I’m a veteran, a husband, and a neighbor who cares deeply about this community and wants to see it thrive. I believe politics works best when we remember we’re neighbors first.
Greg Stoker
Mr. Stoker will appear on the ballot but has withdrawn from the Congressional District 31 race.