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Episode Description: John Berry | Rural Texas Politics, Early Voting & Issues That Matter

Jack County Republican Party Chairman John Berry joins Olney On Air for a conversation about early voting, Republican turnout, and the issues shaping political conversations across rural Texas.

From inflation and property taxes to school vouchers, immigration, and data centers, Berry shares his perspective on the concerns driving voters to the polls. The discussion also tackles some of the biggest challenges facing rural communities, including water infrastructure, unfunded state mandates, struggling rural hospitals, and the financial pressures facing local taxpayers.

Berry discusses the debate over education funding, the role of school choice and homeschooling, rural policing, and why he believes local control is essential to protecting the needs and priorities of small communities.

With water emerging as a major concern for rural Texas, the conversation explores the importance of water systems, state grants, and long-term planning for the future of our communities.

Episode Breakdown:

• 00:00 – Early Voting Push
• 00:39 – Local Issues Driving Turnout
• 01:09 – Trump Message and Turnout
• 03:13 – Cost of Living Frustrations
• 04:24 – Rural Texas Under GOP Rule
• 05:38 – Water Systems and Grants
• 07:40 – SB 22 and Rural Policing
• 10:02 – Vouchers and Homeschool Debate
• 15:48 – Funding Schools vs. Priorities
• 16:15 – Water as Top Priority
• 17:44 – Rural Hospitals in Crisis
• 19:52 – Hospital Bonds Pressure

🎙️ Tune in to Olney On Air for a closer look at the political issues, public policy debates, and challenges affecting rural Texans — from the ballot box to our schools, water systems, hospitals, and family budgets.

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Episode Description: Taylor Qualls | Young County Judge Candidate on Growth, Taxes & the Future of Our Communities

Young County Judge write-in candidate Taylor Qualls joins Olney On Air for an in-depth conversation about her background, her reasons for running, and her vision for the future of Young County.

A local attorney and founder of Qualls Legal, Qualls shares how her experience in family law, child advocacy, and the court system has shaped her approach to leadership and her desire to bring Young County together. At 28, she is stepping into a race for an office with significant responsibilities, from managing the county budget and emergency preparedness to overseeing county court and juvenile court matters.

The conversation tackles some of the biggest issues facing Young County, including the proposed Project Saltworks data center, tax abatements, affordable housing, workforce pressures, and the need to protect local infrastructure as the area grows. Qualls explains her approach to negotiations with developers, the importance of understanding the facts before making decisions, and how growth can benefit local communities without leaving existing residents and businesses to shoulder the costs.

Gina and Kimberly also discuss Olney’s tax increment reinvestment zones (TIRZ), economic development across Young County, keeping property taxes manageable, and the ongoing challenges surrounding mental health services and the county jail system.

Throughout the interview, Qualls emphasizes collaboration, responsible decision-making, and working with local leaders and experienced county officials to address the needs of Olney, Graham, Newcastle, and the surrounding communities.

As a write-in candidate, Qualls also explains why she is asking voters to take an extra step at the ballot box — and why she hopes to bring Young County back together.

🎙️ Tune in to this episode of Olney On Air to hear Taylor Qualls discuss her priorities, her perspective on the issues, and her vision for Young County’s future.

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Olney On Air with Texas Democratic Party Chairman Kendall Scudder

Texas Democratic Party Chairman Kendall Scudder joins Olney On Air to discuss early voting turnout, voter protection efforts, and the challenges facing rural Texas. From property taxes and struggling schools to rural hospitals, Medicaid expansion, and the growing development of data centers, Scudder shares his perspective on the issues affecting communities across the state.

The conversation explores how Democrats hope to reconnect with working-class and rural voters by focusing on affordability, local control, and everyday concerns. Scudder also addresses voter misinformation and intimidation, corporate influence in state government, and the importance of ensuring Texans have a voice in decisions that affect their communities. Plus, don’t miss the lightning round featuring his road trip picks and a closing message to voters.

In this episode:

• Early voting turnout and voter representation
• Voter protection efforts and the hotline
• Misinformation and voter intimidation
• Reaching rural and working-class Texans
• Data center development and its impact on local communities
• Local control, property taxes, schools, and rural hospitals
• Medicaid expansion and corporate influence in state government
• Road trip picks and a final message to voters

Tune in to Olney On Air for a conversation about the policies, challenges, and priorities shaping the future of rural Texas.

Episode Chapters 00:00 Early Voting Check In
00:38 Turnout And Representation
02:27 Voter Protection Hotline
03:54 Misinformation And Intimidation
05:33 Reaching Rural Texas
06:59 Democrats And Working Class Roots
09:13 Data Centers And Local Strain
14:27 Local Control And Rural Hospitals
17:15 Lightning Round Road Trip Picks
19:25 Closing Message To Voters

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