My name is J. Gordon Mitchell.

I’m an Air Force veteran, a former drill sergeant, and former senior enlisted advisor. I am a first responder, and a twice-elected school board member, who still likes to serve in the classroom as a substitute teacher whenever I can.

The truth is, I didn't set out to run for Congress. I set out to serve, and that path has taken me through nearly every kind of crisis, community fight, and public challenge you can imagine.

When Texas faced some of its worst moments - wildfires, floods, storms, hurricanes, even COVID - I was there. Not behind a desk. Not giving quotes to reporters. On the ground. Responding, coordinating, and helping Texans get through the chaos. Crisis response isn’t a talking point for me; it’s been my day-to-day reality for decades.

My commitment to community didn’t stop when the uniform came off. I've served as a school board trustee in one of the fastest-growing districts in the state, where I refused to bow to political extremism targeting our kids, teachers, and public schools. I’ve shown up in rural and urban communities alike - at protests, town halls, community meetings, and anywhere people need to be heard.

I’ve continued my education along the way, including graduate studies in spatial analysis for public health at Johns Hopkins. That work deepened my drive to improve mental health access, protect reproductive rights, and support the well-being of our students and families.

I’ve spent my entire life stepping into hard situations when other people stepped back. I believe leadership is about showing up, doing the work, and being accountable - not to a party, but to the people you serve.

And I’m ready to bring that same commitment to Congress.