Merrill Matthews, Ph.D., is a resident scholar with the Institute for Policy Innovation, a research-based, public policy “think tank.” He is a health policy expert and weekly contributor at Forbes.co...

Konni was elected in 2014 to represent Tarrant County’s Senate District 10 in the Texas Senate, succeeding Democrat Wendy Davis. At the time, SD-10 was one of the most competitive districts in Texas —...

Konni was elected in 2014 to represent Tarrant County’s Senate District 10 in the Texas Senate, succeeding Democrat Wendy Davis. At the time, SD-10 was one of the most competitive districts in Texas — essentially a 50/50 seat. Konni flipped the district, returning it to Republican leadership, and went on to serve two legislative sessions in Austin.Her strong record of standing firm on conservative principles earned her 100% ratings from the National Federation of Independent Business, National Right to Life, Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, and Young Conservatives of Texas. She was also named a Taxpayer Champion by Empower Texans following both the 84th and 85th legislative sessions.A lifelong activist, Konni has been driven by a commitment to limited government, individual liberty, and free-market principles — a passion that continues to shape her work today.In 2019 — after losing the SD-10 seat during the “Beto wave” midterms — Konni chose not to step away from the public arena. Instead, she turned that moment into motivation to create The Texan, where she now serves as CEO. Determined to strengthen civic engagement and improve access to reliable political information, she built a statewide multimedia newsroom committed to fact-driven reporting.

Lathan Watts is Vice President of Public Affairs for Alliance Defending Freedom, the world’s largest non-profit legal organization. ADF is dedicated to defending religious freedom, freedom of speech,...

Lathan Watts is Vice President of Public Affairs for Alliance Defending Freedom, the world’s largest non-profit legal organization. ADF is dedicated to defending religious freedom, freedom of speech, the sanctity of life, marriage and parental rights.