Latest news with #SteveToth
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State Rep. Steve Toth to challenge Congressman Dan Crenshaw in Republican primary
State Rep. Steve Toth, a Conroe Republican aligned with the rightmost faction of the Texas Legislature, announced a primary challenge to U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw on Tuesday, setting up the state's latest intra-party midterm clash. Toth, who is serving his fifth term in the Texas House, is part of a group of hardline GOP lawmakers who have rebelled against their own party's leadership, including Gov. Greg Abbott, for being insufficiently conservative. Seen as one of the most conservative members of the 150-person chamber, Toth has openly campaigned against his GOP colleagues, joined with the minority that voted against impeaching Attorney General Ken Paxton and thrown himself in the middle of the Legislature's numerous partisan battles over social and cultural issues. Now, Toth has Crenshaw — a Houston Republican who has represented his Harris County-based district since 2019 — in his crosshairs. 'The people of Congressional District 2 deserve an unwavering conservative who will fight for our convictions and never bend the knee to the radical left,' Toth said in a statement, citing Crenshaw's support of Ukraine aid and past comments about far-right members of Congress. Crenshaw has racked up a solidly conservative voting record in Congress while focusing his legislative efforts on standard GOP priorities, from border security to barring federal funding for gender-affirming care. But he has publicly sparred with the far-right House Freedom Caucus and key movement figures like Tucker Carlson — a difference he sees as being over the seriousness with which they take governance rather than a stringent ideological dispute. Crenshaw has referred to obstructionists in the conservative movement as 'grifters' and expressed frustration with right-wing members of Congress who ousted then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy and falsely claimed that the 2020 election was stolen. In a statement, Crenshaw pointed to legislative victories including securing flood mitigation funding for the Houston area, authorizing a study into breakthrough therapies for veterans with traumatic brain injuries and efforts to take on Mexican cartels. He also accused Toth of living outside the 2nd Congressional District, which was redrawn in 2021 and now covers more than half the residents of Montgomery County. 'I don't have much to say about Steve Toth—because there's not much to say,' Crenshaw said. 'While he was busy redrawing his home outside of TX-02, I was working hard for the people of TX-02.' Montgomery County voter registration records indicate that Toth's Conroe home is in the neighboring 8th District. Members of Congress do not have to live in the district they represent, though candidates who live outside the boundaries often face attacks from their opponents. Toth did not deny that he lives in the 8th District, but noted in a statement that his Texas House district overlaps almost entirely with Crenshaw's congressional district. 'I know this community, and I've been serving them for nearly a decade,' he said. The district boundary could soon change again, with congressional redistricting on the agenda for the Legislature's upcoming special session. Toth is by far the best-known primary opponent Crenshaw has faced in his career. Right-wing activist Jameson Ellis primaried Crenshaw in his past two elections — losing by 19 percentage points last year — but has said he is not running again this cycle. The primary challenge is Toth's second attempt to take down a sitting Republican member of Congress. In 2016, he challenged then-Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands, pushing Brady to the lowest vote share of his 26-year congressional career. Despite being outspent by over $1.4 million, Toth came within 20,000 votes of unseating Brady, winning 37% in a four-way race. Shape the future of Texas at the 15th annual , happening Nov. 13–15 in downtown Austin! We bring together Texas' most inspiring thinkers, leaders and innovators to discuss the issues that matter to you. Get tickets now and join us this November. TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase.
Associated Press
19-02-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Love Heals Youth Champions Groundbreaking Foster Care Reform: The Sound of Hope Act
House Bill 194 Seeks to Transform Child Welfare Through Faith-Based Community Support 'House Bill 194 represents a groundbreaking step toward a more compassionate and sustainable foster care system—one that nurtures children with stability, love, and the long-term support they need' — Rebecca Smith CONROE, TX, UNITED STATES, February 19, 2025 / / -- Love Heals Youth, a volunteer-run organization dedicated to bringing hope and healing to foster youth through transformative counseling services is applauding the recently filed The Sound of Hope Act (House Bill 194). The Bill sponsored by Representative Steve Toth of District 15 introduces a faith-driven approach to foster care, empowering churches and faith-based institutions to serve as an alternative support system for children in need. Love Heals Youth is encouraging widespread support for this initiative. To raise awareness of this landmark legislation, a special event coinciding with Child Welfare Legislative Day will be held in Austin, TX on February 25. 'At Love Heals Youth, we have witnessed firsthand the power of faith and community in changing the lives of foster children,' said Rebecca Smith, founder of Love Heals Youth. 'House Bill 194 represents a groundbreaking step toward a more compassionate and sustainable foster care system—one that nurtures children with stability, love, and the long-term support they need to thrive. We invite everyone to join us in this mission to ensure no child walks this journey alone.' Inspired by the heartwarming story of Possum Trot, as depicted in the Angel Studios film 'Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot,' House Bill 194 aims to establish a compassionate, community-based model that fosters stability, love, and healing for children in the child welfare system. Love Heals Youth is sharing key highlights of the legislation to encourage support for it. Key benefits include: • Faith-Based Foster Care: Churches and faith-based institutions can apply to provide comprehensive foster care services, operating alongside the state's existing system. • Family-Focused Solutions: The initiative prioritizes placing children with families and works to reunite them with their biological relatives whenever possible. It also encourages long-term relationships between churches and families to ensure continued support even after court cases close. • Holistic Care Model: Participating churches will have the opportunity to address all aspects of foster care, offering a consistent and nurturing environment within a single community hub. • Breaking the Cycle: The legislation seeks to reduce foster care recidivism and interrupt generational cycles by providing children with enduring support systems. • Cost-Effective Approach: By alleviating excessive administrative burdens, the Sound of Hope Act offers a fiscally responsible solution to the state's foster care challenges. Rebecca Smith played a pivotal role in drafting the initial version of the bill, reinforcing the organization's commitment to transforming the foster care system. Michelle Lehn is leading the coalition effort to mobilize churches statewide, ensuring a robust faith-based support network to implement the Sound of Hope model effectively. 'We believe that every child deserves a loving, stable, and supportive environment,' Smith continued. 'House Bill 194 presents an opportunity to empower faith-based communities to step up and make a lasting difference in the lives of vulnerable children. We are calling on individuals, churches, and organizations to stand with us in this movement.' Public support is crucial to the success of this groundbreaking legislation. Love Heals Youth urges community members to take action by visiting and selecting 'Join the Cause' to show their support for House Bill 194. Together, we can transform foster care, providing children with the love, stability, and support they deserve. Let's stand united in giving every child a chance to thrive within a compassionate community. About the Sound of Hope Act The Sound of Hope Act seeks to establish a faith-based, community-driven parallel foster care system, modeled after the inspiring success of Possum Trot. With an emphasis on family restoration, long-term relationship-building, and holistic care, this legislation aims to create a more compassionate and effective child welfare system. About Love Heals Youth Love Heals Youth is a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to providing hope, healing, and transformative counseling services to children in the foster care system. Through trauma-informed support, mentorship, and faith-based community engagement, Love Heals Youth empowers vulnerable youth to overcome adversity and build brighter futures. Committed to reshaping the foster care landscape, the organization actively advocates for policies that prioritize family restoration and long-term stability for children in need. To learn more, visit ### For more information, or to schedule an interview with Rebecca Smith, please contact Dan Rene at 202-329-8357 or [email protected] Dan Rene Dan Rene Communications +1 202-329-8357 [email protected]
