Former FEC Chairman Trey Trainor Emphasizes Experience in Texas Congressional Race

In a new episode of the civic interview series Vote Like a Texan, former Federal Election Commission Chairman Trey Trainor, now a Republican candidate for U.S. Congress in Texas Congressional District 21, presented his case to voters. Trainor, who served as FEC Chairman from 2020 to 2025, framed the 2026 election as a critical moment for Texas's political clout in Washington, warning that the state is poised to lose significant seniority and influence due to multiple congressional retirements.

Trainor emphasized that the next representative for District 21 must be prepared to lead immediately. He contrasted his background with that of first-time candidates, stating his career has been spent navigating the federal systems he aims to reform. His experience includes advising national party leadership, testifying before Congress, and overseeing federal election law and campaign finance enforcement during his tenure at the Federal Election Commission. This, he argues, positions him to advocate effectively for Texas from day one.

The conversation with host Justin McKenzie delved into specific policy areas where Trainor believes his experience translates into actionable results. He discussed the importance of restoring accountability and constitutional limits in Washington, a theme central to his campaign. On border security, he stressed the need to ensure federal reimbursement dollars return directly to Texas communities. National security concerns in the Western Hemisphere and the reassertion of American leadership were also highlighted as priorities.

McKenzie pressed Trainor on how federal leadership intersects with local issues impacting the district's nine counties, including water infrastructure, wildfire risk, flooding, law enforcement, and economic growth. Trainor connected these local challenges to the need for effective representation in Washington, capable of securing resources and influencing policy. A recurring point was his long-standing relationship with former President Donald Trump and his commitment to codifying policy reforms into lasting law to ensure continuity beyond any single administration.

A central theme of the episode was civic participation. Trainor urged voters to recognize that in districts like CD-21, where the Republican primary is likely decisive, the primary election is where the future representative is chosen. He called on voters to make their voices heard by participating in primaries and potential runoffs. The full episode, which provides a comprehensive look at Trainor's background and vision, is available through the Vote Like a Texan series. For more details on his campaign platform, voters can visit https://www.trey4tx.com.