Have you ever noticed how so many of our government officials appear to be visitors to their own districts rather than residents. They talk a good game while campaigning but once in office they change. Different priorities, different policy positions, seemingly disdainful of those who voted them into office. But not Dr. Glenn Rogers. He is one of us.
He didn’t seek office for what it could provide him; rather, he sought office for what he could provide his constituents. He brings a wealth of varied experiences to bear that help him be successful.
It’s in his role as a veterinarian where one can find many parallels to his role as a legislator. Let’s consider a few that typify what it takes to be successful.
Dedication – It takes years of education to become a veterinarian and then continuous education once in practice to be effective. Similarly, to be effective as a legislator, one must continually learn policy and the priorities of one’s constituents.
In his first term Rogers faced the challenges of COVID-19, an unprecedented winter storm, a successful regular session followed by numerous special sessions and redistricting.
Compassion – The work of a veterinarian is a daily schedule of working with animals and concerned owners. Resolving problems is a constant for a legislator. Sometimes a change in the law is necessary but often duty requires helping a constituent with a problem that requires deftly navigating governmental bureaucracies that frustrates everyone who encounters them.
Glenn worked with the city of Coleman, Brown County Water District and numerous communities in Hood County helping to restore power following the winter storm of 2021. On a personal constituent level he helped a young man in Albany whose eligibility to play football was in jeopardy by UIL red tape.
Communication – Medical terms and concepts can be overwhelming to comprehend for those of us who don’t have the benefit of a medical education. A good communicator can take a complicated subject and translate it into easily understood language. This skill applies equally to medical practitioners and legislators.
Good legislators simplify the alphabet soup of government acronyms and needlessly complex processes that intimidate the public into common language that is easy to understand. Glenn wants you to know what your state government is doing and how your money is spent. An informed public is an engaged public.
However, the trait that prompts me to urge everyone to vote for Glenn is his willingness to be present and listen. He understands that his role is to listen more than to speak. Glenn Rogers is my choice for Texas House District 60 because he does the hard work of traveling to all parts of the district to be inquisitive and listen as much as possible to understand the needs of his constituents.
(Brad Bennett, who resides in Mineral Wells, is a public affairs executive with more than two decades of experience working with public officials at the local, state and federal level.)
