By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews
A congressional candidate from Florida traveled to Collin County on Friday to support Mark Newgent’s bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Keith Self in Texas’ 3rd Congressional District, mentioning similarities between his own race and the GOP primary unfolding in North Texas.
Aaron Baker, who is running in the Republican primary for Florida’s 6th Congressional District against incumbent Rep. Randy Fine, said he and Newgent connected months earlier and found an alignment in values and priorities.
“We have a lot of the same values,” Baker said. “We’re 1,000 miles apart, and we knew a lot of the same people.”
Baker said he decided to come to Texas because he believes Newgent represents a different approach to Republican leadership.
“I think Mark’s situation is a little bit different,” Baker said, arguing that voters want representatives who remain engaged with their communities. “You deserve somebody that shows up, somebody that’s a member of the community, somebody that you know who’s not going to sell you out.”
Baker Zeroes In on First Amendment Concerns
During the visit, Baker repeatedly emphasized constitutional protections, particularly the First Amendment.
“Our First Amendment is under attack every single day,” Baker said. “You can’t speak bad about Israel, but you can speak bad about any other place in the world. And that’s not correct. That’s not the United States.”
He added that Americans should be able to criticize any government. “That’s my right as an American,” he said. “Same thing with Russia, Ireland, Scotland — that’s my right.”
Baker also raised concerns about what he described as incremental federal overreach, comparing it to “a big wheel of Parmesan cheese” that gets chipped away little by little.
“The Constitution every day gets trampled on little by little,” he said.
Baker Questions Washington’s Combative Style
Baker also criticized what he characterized as combative political styles in Congress, arguing that visibility and strong rhetoric do not necessarily translate into legislative success.
“You can’t take the most bombastic congressman possible and expect him to get anything done,” Baker said. “It’s not going to happen.”
He said effective representation requires coalition‑building and a focus on practical issues such as infrastructure and local services.
“I will focus on local issues — water, electricity, infrastructure,” he said, describing the type of leadership he believes voters are seeking.
Newgent has similarly emphasized accountability and reform in his campaign messaging, positioning himself as focused on community engagement rather than national political theatrics.
As Primary Nears, Newgent Turns Up the Heat
The visit comes as the Republican primary in Texas’s 3rd District enters its final stretch. The district, which includes much of Collin County, has leaned Republican in recent cycles, making the GOP primary the decisive contest.
Newgent has recently sharpened his criticism of Self on social media, including a post on X that read: “No AIPAC. No Israel. No evil. No @RepKeithSelf.”
Additionally, in a recent Context Corner podcast interview, Newgent delivered some of his strongest remarks against Self, accusing him of being overly aligned with pro-Israel interests, mishandling campaign operations, and turning on members of the local Muslim community after campaigning alongside them.
He also brought up the Epstein Files, tying it to what he characterized as broader dysfunction and corruption in Washington. He framed his campaign around redirecting taxpayer resources toward local schools, small businesses, and families, while stressing the importance of ethical leadership.
The message reflects heightened rhetoric in the final days before the election and underscores how foreign policy and national political identity have surfaced in the local contest.
Baker suggested voters are looking for a shift in tone.
“We deserve better,” he said. “You deserve somebody that shows up… somebody that’ll have your back.”
He also emphasized the importance of grassroots organization, noting that volunteer presence at polling locations can influence turnout in lower‑participation primaries.
“All hands on deck,” Baker said of the final days before Election Day.
What the TX‑03 Race Could Mean for Voters
For voters in TX‑03, the race highlights broader questions about representation, tone, and party direction.
While Self has been a prominent voice on national politics, cultural and ideological issues, some local residents say they want more direct interaction and a stronger focus on district‑level concerns. Newgent, who shares many conservative positions on fiscal and constitutional matters, has tried to frame his campaign around community presence and a more locally rooted approach.
Whether the involvement of an out‑of‑state ally signals meaningful momentum or simply reflects shared messaging across GOP primaries remains to be seen.