District 14 Candidate First Look: Rebecca Boenigk

Rebecca Boenigk is one of three Republicans running for the Texas House of Representatives in District 14, and one of the five candidates vying for former Representative Fred Brown’s seat. Brown resigned his seat early this year to take a job outside of the district, after the end of the 82nd Texas Legislative session. According to her campaign web site, Boenigk thinks that “Brown is leaving some pretty big shoes to fill in our Texas Capitol” but that she “the background and experience needed to hit the ground running and to be a strong, conservative leader for Brazos County in the legislature.”

Boenigk is the founder and CEO of Neutral Posture, Inc. which is an ergonomic furniture company, that has grown into a $17 million a year business. Boenigk boast on her web site that she “will put the same proven, conservative free market business principles that allowed her to build her own successful business to work for Texas taxpayers and their families in her service to the Texas Legislature.” According to Neutral Posture’s web site, the company has a contract with General Services Administration and has several contract with state governments including Texas.

According to an article in the Bryan-College Station Eagle, Boenigk said that “If you are not involved in politics, then politics are running your business," although in that article she could not name any state regulations that are adversely affecting her business. In that same article she went on to say that “Sometimes it is not about getting the right legislation passed; it is about keeping the wrong legislation from passing and making sure that people there understand the ramifications."

Boenigk’s participation in candidate forums has been hit or miss. As the Eagle reported, she pulled out of the Bryan-College Station Tea Party forum at the last minute, and she cancelled an appearance on 89.1FM KEOS without explanation. During the Chamber of Commerce candidate forum she clashed with fellow Republican Bob Yancy over health care policy.

A group of conservative activist have started a campaign against Boenigk. The Facebook page “Conservatives Against Rebecca Boenigk” criticizes her for identifying herself as a conservative as “something of a charade.” The group condemns her connection to a local group called “Get Unboxed,” that they claim “advocates universal healthcare and gay marriage.” Although, a closer look at the group reveals that it advocates that “healthcare is a privilege, not a right” and that “cannot accept gay marriage as a religious marriage.” Among other things the group also criticizes Boenigk for sponsoring a town hall for then Democratic Congressman Chet Edwards, and attending the University of Texas at Austin. So far 8 people have “liked” the group, compared to the 161 that have liked her Facebook page.