Shellie Gardner

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Shellie Gardner

Republican Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

March 5, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

Texas Tech University, 1988

Graduate

Texas Tech University, 1991

Personal

Birthplace

Oak Harbor, Wash.

Religion

Christian

Profession

Business owner

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

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Shellie Gardner (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Texas' 12th Congressional District. She lost in the Republican primary on March 5, 2024.

Gardner completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Shellie Gardner was born in Oak Harbor, Washington. She earned a bachelor's degree from Texas Tech University in 1988 and a graduate degree from Texas Tech University in 1991. Her career experience includes working as a business owner.

Elections

2024

See also: Texas' 12th Congressional District election, 2024

Texas' 12th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 5 Republican primary)

Texas' 12th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 5 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Texas District 12

Craig Goldman defeated Trey Hunt in the general election for U.S. House Texas District 12 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Craig Goldman (R)	63.5	215,564
		Trey Hunt (D)	36.5	124,154

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 339,718
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary runoff election

Republican primary runoff for U.S. House Texas District 12

Craig Goldman defeated John O'Shea in the Republican primary runoff for U.S. House Texas District 12 on May 28, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Craig Goldman	62.9	16,787
		John O'Shea	37.1	9,903

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 26,690
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 12

Trey Hunt defeated Sebastian Gehrig in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 12 on March 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Trey Hunt	58.0	11,935
		Sebastian Gehrig	42.0	8,638

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 20,573
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 12

Craig Goldman and John O'Shea advanced to a runoff. They defeated Clint Dorris, Shellie Gardner, and Anne Henley in the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 12 on March 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Craig Goldman	44.4	31,568
✔		John O'Shea	26.4	18,757
		Clint Dorris	14.9	10,591
		Shellie Gardner	7.6	5,373
	Submit photo	Anne Henley	6.8	4,849

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 71,138
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Ryan Catala (R)
• Montgomery Markland (R)
• Kay Granger (R)

Endorsements

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Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Gardner in this election.

Pledges

Gardner signed the following pledges.

• Taxpayer Protection Pledge, Americans for Tax Reform

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Shellie Gardner completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Gardner's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’ve been an engineer and a residential realtor. Currently, I'm a business owner. I earned a master's degree in Electrical Engineering from Texas Tech. As an engineer, I worked in the telecommunications industry at Electrospace (acquired by Raytheon), Intervoice, and Hewlett-Packard. Knowing that my work schedule wouldn’t allow us to start and raise a family, I used the skills acquired in engineering to build a successful residential real estate career. I pivoted from that career to starting a business when I needed to be present closer to home to raise our boys. Creating Christmas Light Source allowed me to do that. I love that this business is centered on celebrating Christmas - a Holiday that represents the reason for my faith.

I’ve been married to David Robinson for over 28 years, and we now have two grown sons. We’ve lived in District 12 for over 25 years. Growing up in a Navy family, we moved every year until I was in high school. I’m proud to call Fort Worth my hometown. David and I love the people and quality of life that Fort Worth provides.

I like shooting clays, biking, and traveling when I'm not working.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• The House of Representatives need problem solvers. As an engineer and business owner, I’ve spent over 30 years identifying problems, pulling together teams, and crafting real solutions.
• We must reconnect with our Republican roots. I grew up admiring the Conservative Republicans who inspired me to dream about serving in politics. Their commitment to smaller government, free markets, and strong national defense made this country strong. They were dynamic, took risks, saved our economy, and ended the Cold War.
• Business works better when Government gets out of the way. The engine of the U.S. economy is fueled by businesses of all sizes. In addition to the goods and services provided, they create vital jobs that demonstrate the progress that is possible through the virtue of work.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

We must secure the border and reform immigration. The crisis on the border has been a disaster for all Texans. The current invasion spurred on by an administration who encouraged “surging the border” during the Presidential debates has created an untenable situation. My priorities are first, secure the border; second, determine who is actually in the US; third, bring solutions to the legal immigration process. Knowing who is here is more than just a border issue, it is a national security issue.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to the men and women who serve this country in the U.S. military, and those here in Texas serving in Governor Abbott’s Texas Tactical Border Force. These men and women sacrifice time with their families to keep us safe and preserve our quality of life.

It would be my greatest pleasure to follow their examples and emulate that kind of courage and dedication in the U.S. House of Representatives.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

A strong moral compass is essential for anyone serving in elected office. My compass is oriented by my core Christian beliefs.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My very first job was on Guam selling fresh-from-my-yard coconut meat from a little stand. It only lasted a day because opening a fresh coconut when you’re 5 years old is really hard. I learned about supply chain issues and how your 3-year-old brother can be your biggest customer. Signage is key and speaking to everyone who walks by is also very important. My little brick-and-mortar store was my first taste of business. I loved it.

My first professional job was as a hardware engineer and project manager at a Richardson telecommunications company that provided secure communications to NORAD, General Schwarzkopf, and other government agencies. I worked 12+ hour days with great people and was there for 2-3 years. I loved that, too.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Can't Stop the Feeling! by Justin Timberlake

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

Election by geographical districts creates close connections between House Representatives and the voters who elect them. This creates a unique situation compared to other elected offices and, as a result, makes the House a great place for all funding bills to originate. With shorter terms of service, the House can be more responsive to dynamic issues and conditions. Also unique is holding the power of impeachment which gives the House the power to scrutinize the Executive Branch and hold it accountable.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

While previous experience in politics can be beneficial with regard to legislative know-how, years of professional experience give non-traditional candidates a much-needed fresh perspective. Real-world understanding in fields such as business, healthcare, and education ensures that policy suggestions will be grounded in professional experiences. Representatives with businesses and careers to return to will be more likely to consider the actual impact of their legislation. They will also prioritize their district because they plan to return there.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Balancing the budget. Last year the US Government paid over $475 billion dollars in interest alone on our debt. This is not a situation we can pass on to the next generation and has become a threat to our national security.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

A recent poll indicated that 87% of voters from both parties support term limits. I agree. I would vote yes on a Constitutional Amendment to create a common sense term limits policy. Opening up seats more frequently would increase voter choice, reduce the influence of special interest groups, and help Representatives focus on problems instead of reelections.

A term limit policy would have to consider a balanced approach to setting timeframes to ensure experienced folks with knowledge and expertise are in place. If Representatives were to change too frequently, the unelected staff that stays behind could become too powerful behind the scenes.

Tell us your favorite joke.

An atom walks into a bar.

Bartender, bartender, I've lost an electron.

Are you sure?

I'm positive.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Wisdom is the most important attribute needed to achieve legislative goals. If compromise means sacrificing essential core values that represent my voice and the voices of my constituents, then my simple answer is no.

If compromise in Government is considered analogous to compromise in Business, I’m all for coming to the table and investigating issues. Then we can dive into the hard work of carving out the most valuable components of research to solve problems. We must keep our focus on legislation designed to have the highest potential for positive impact for everyone.

We must look at the long-term value of reaching fair agreements that lead to innovative solutions for our hardest-to-solve problems. It is my belief that these long-term, fair agreements are best built on a foundation of true, conservative ideology.

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

The U.S. House should primarily use its investigative powers to efficiently gather information for the purpose of producing effective legislation, ensure that existing legislation is properly administered, and, when necessary, provide oversight of the Executive Branch.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign website

Gardner’s campaign website stated the following:

“	ECONOMY AND SMALLER GOVERNMENT As a fiscal conservative and small business owner, I have experienced the crippling impact of government regulations. Bureaucratic hurdles force businesses to navigate an ever-changing landscape, driving up operational costs that are inevitably passed down to consumers through increased prices. Government needs to get out of the way and allow small businesses to thrive and power our economy. The outrageous inflation we are all experiencing today is a direct result of overregulation and the Biden’s administration’s unrighteous effort to put more citizens on welfare instead of incentivizing them to work. SECURING AMERICA’S BORDER As an electrical engineer and successful entrepreneur, I bring a unique perspective to addressing the challenges at our southern border. To secure out country, we need a comprehensive approach that goes beyond building walls. Although walls are vital, we must leverage technological advancements and implement strategies that put an end to the ongoing humanitarian crisis at our southern border. We need to send a message to the rest of the world that is loud and clear: America is a nation of laws and borders, and we will protect her at all costs. SCHOOL CHOICE In Texas, we understand the importance of giving parents educational choices for their children. Parents can choose an array of different options to suit their children’s needs. Unfortunately, at the federal level, education policies neglect the importance of local decision-making and parental rights. I’m committed to bridging this gap and advocating for policies in Congress that put families first. As a mother, I will always fight for our right to be the sole decision-maker in our children’s future. VETERANS My father served our country for 20 years in the U.S. Navy. Growing up in a military family, I learned the importance of duty and honor. I am constantly in awe of the brave men and women we have serving in our armed forces. As your representative in Congress, I will do everything in my power to honor those who serve and provide the resources desperately needed to our veteran community. From basic healthcare to complex issues surrounding mental health, we must do everything possible to help those who put their lives in danger to protect our great country. LAW ENFORCEMENT We must recognize the critical role law enforcement plays in upholding the security and well-being of our community. Over the last few years, we have witnessed the consequences of the unthinkable and ridiculous notion of defunding our police departments. This idiotic idea brought pain and destruction everywhere it was implemented. We must fully fund and support our law enforcement officers and create a culture where they are celebrated, not feared. A MESSAGE FROM SHELLIE “We cannot let today’s problems become chaos for my children or yours. We are at the edge of a cliff, and it’s time to build a bridge to the next great age in American history. Together we can ensure that our children have the opportunity for success, we have greater personal freedom and a more efficient and effective government.”	”
—Shellie Gardner’s campaign website (2024)

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Shellie Gardner campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	U.S. House Texas District 12	Lost primary	$270,660	$276,913
Grand total			$270,660	$276,913
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

See also

2024 Elections

What's on the ballot? U.S. President U.S. Congress U.S. Congress special elections State executives State legislatures State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards Election analysis hub

Government

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Candidate

U.S. House Texas District 12

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Footnotes

[show]

Texas' current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

John Cornyn (R)

Ted Cruz (R)

Representatives

District 1

Nathaniel Moran (R)

District 2

Daniel Crenshaw (R)

District 3

Keith Self (R)

District 4

Pat Fallon (R)

District 5

Lance Gooden (R)

District 6

Jake Ellzey (R)

District 7

Lizzie Fletcher (D)

District 8

Morgan Luttrell (R)

District 9

Al Green (D)

District 10

Michael McCaul (R)

District 11

August Pfluger (R)

District 12

Craig Goldman (R)

District 13

Ronny Jackson (R)

District 14

Randy Weber (R)

District 15

Monica De La Cruz (R)

District 16

Veronica Escobar (D)

District 17

Pete Sessions (R)

District 18

Vacant

District 19

Jodey Arrington (R)

District 20

Joaquin Castro (D)

District 21

Chip Roy (R)

District 22

Troy Nehls (R)

District 23

Tony Gonzales (R)

District 24

Beth Van Duyne (R)

District 25

Roger Williams (R)

District 26

Brandon Gill (R)

District 27

Michael Cloud (R)

District 28

Henry Cuellar (D)

District 29

Sylvia Garcia (D)

District 30

Jasmine Crockett (D)

District 31

John Carter (R)

District 32

Julie Johnson (D)

District 33

Marc Veasey (D)

District 34

Vicente Gonzalez (D)

District 35

Greg Casar (D)

District 36

Brian Babin (R)

District 37

Lloyd Doggett (D)

District 38

Wesley Hunt (R)

Republican Party (27)

Democratic Party (12)

Vacancies (1)