I was born and raised in Texas. I’ve lived here most of my life, and I’ll probably die here. I’m not stuck—I’m here by choice. I love Texas. I believe in Texas values.

Texans value self-reliance and personal freedom. We’re proud of our “Lone Star” identity, our history as a sovereign republic, and our refusal to be pushed around. We’re also known for our Southern hospitality, our rich food culture—Mexican, Czech, German, Vietnamese, soul food, barbecue—and our deep sense of responsibility to one another. We take pride in our state, and we teach our kids to do the same.

At our best, Texas values mean looking out for each other, enduring tough times with grit, and building a better life—for ourselves, for our families, and for future generations. But somewhere along the line, that version of Texas started slipping away.

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