The civic interview series Vote Like A Texan featured Abhiram Garapati, a candidate for Texas Congressional District 31, in a discussion covering immigration policy, rural community challenges, and technological workforce preparation. Hosted by Justin McKenzie, the conversation provides voters with direct access to candidate perspectives during the primary election season when voter turnout historically remains low.
Garapati described his personal journey from immigrating to the United States legally to building successful businesses and agricultural operations across Central Texas. He arrived with limited resources and navigated the legal immigration process over 15 years before becoming a U.S. citizen. This experience shaped his desire to serve in Congress without accepting a salary or campaign donations, crediting the opportunity-driven nature of the country for his success.
The discussion addressed border security and immigration reform, with Garapati emphasizing respect for the rule of law while advocating for a more efficient and accessible legal immigration system. As a farmer and rancher raising cattle in Central Texas, he highlighted the importance of agriculture and rural communities, particularly the challenges facing volunteer fire departments in fast-growing Hill Country counties.
Education and workforce readiness emerged as central themes, with Garapati stressing the need for stronger STEM education and preparation for artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. He argued that Texas' economic future depends on equipping students and workers for rapid technological change across industries—from engineering and space to agriculture and manufacturing.
The conversation also explored the role of a member of Congress as a bridge between federal resources and local needs, including public safety, infrastructure, and economic development. This interview is part of Vote Like A Texan's broader effort to provide Texans with direct access to candidates through long-form, substantive conversations ahead of early voting and primary election dates. The full episode is available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@VoteLikeATexan.
The importance of this discussion lies in its timing before primary elections and its focus on substantive policy issues affecting District 31 residents. Garapati's perspectives on immigration reform carry weight given his personal experience navigating the legal immigration system, while his background in agriculture provides insight into rural infrastructure needs. His emphasis on technological education addresses workforce development concerns as artificial intelligence transforms multiple industries.
For voters in Congressional District 31, this interview offers detailed policy positions on issues directly impacting their communities, from border security to rural fire department funding. The nonpartisan nature of the interview series allows voters to evaluate candidates based on their stated positions rather than partisan affiliation. With historically low turnout in primary elections, such civic engagement initiatives aim to increase informed participation in the democratic process.
The implications of Garapati's policy positions extend beyond District 31 to broader state and national conversations about immigration, technology education, and rural development. His proposal to serve without congressional salary or campaign donations represents an unconventional approach to political representation that may influence other candidates. The interview's availability through digital platforms like YouTube reflects changing patterns of political communication and voter education in the modern media landscape.
