By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews
MCKINNEY — Frederick Frazier did not hesitate when asked what stayed with him most from the 2024 campaign.
“How nasty politics can be,” he said. “And how nasty it can be to your family.”
Frazier previously represented Texas House District 61 and spoke Saturday morning at a McKinney Starbucks about the 2024 race, the toll he says it took on his family, and why he is seeking to return to office.
A campaign that turned personal
Frazier spent part of the interview reflecting on the previous election cycle, which he described as less about policy disagreements and more about personal attacks. As legal matters emerged during the campaign, he said he was urged to step aside.
“The very first thing that was asked of me: ‘If you step down, you will make this go away,’” Frazier said.
He said the campaign focused on accusation rather than debate. “They didn’t run on the policies. They didn’t run on the facts,” he said. “They ran on a smear.”
Frazier said the experience affected his family, describing signage placed near his church and at his children’s school.
“It wasn’t just political,” he said. “It was personal.”
Frazier said legal action tied to the campaign is ongoing and described the outcomes so far as promising. “We sued him, and he tried to dismiss the case. The Court rejected his arguments and are allowing the case to proceed,” he said.
Despite the experience, Frazier said it did not drive him out of public life.
Leadership and accountability
Beyond campaign tactics, Frazier offered a broader critique of what he sees as performative leadership in government. He pointed to his opponent as a lawmaker who advanced legislation through the process only to oppose it at the final vote.
“That’s not leadership — that’s playing a game,” Frazier said. “You worked it the whole way. You knew what the budget was going to cost. You knew the pitfalls, and you approved it — and then at the last minute you vote no.”
Frazier said such decisions are often driven by political ratings rather than accountability. “Anybody can vote no,” he said, adding that opposing a bill after helping move it forward avoids responsibility for the outcome.
In contrast, Frazier said leadership means standing behind decisions and being honest with constituents.
Sacrifice behind the scenes
Frazier also spoke candidly about the practical costs of public service, particularly time away from family. Drawing on decades in law enforcement, he said long absences were familiar — but serving in Austin was still harder than expected.
“Missing birthdays, missing games… it takes a toll,” he said.
He also described financial strain during his time in office, saying employment and pension rules required him to take a leave of absence from his law-enforcement job while serving in the Legislature.
“I wasn’t getting my paycheck from that job from January to December,” Frazier said. “That’s a huge sacrifice for a family.”
Policy priorities shaped by local experience
When asked what he would focus on if elected, Frazier repeatedly returned to education. He cited school closures, special education capacity, and community divisions around rezoning as warning signs.
“Education’s going to be a huge priority for me,” he said. “Our public schools need a tremendous amount of help.”
He pushed back against dismissive views of public education, noting that not all families have alternatives. “Not everyone has that luxury,” he said, adding that public schools touch nearly every profession and industry.
On property taxes, Frazier cautioned against solutions that offer immediate relief but undermine long-term stability, particularly for public schools and related obligations. He pointed to the scale of Texas’ education system — including millions of students and the pension system that supports educators — as a reason tax policy must be considered carefully.
He also addressed school voucher proposals cautiously, describing recent efforts as experimental and suggesting earlier versions were more restrained.
Community-first campaign approach
Frazier emphasized that his engagement extends beyond election cycles, describing ongoing involvement with chambers of commerce, city councils, school boards, and neighborhood issues.
During the interview, a member of Frazier’s campaign team cited his participation in a local Christmas event — dressing as Santa Claus to help deliver presents to children with special needs — as an example of his community involvement.
Frazier said his campaign reflects the same local focus. He emphasized that he is not criticizing political consultants, but said his campaign is built around people who live and work in the district.
“I’m not running down consultants — they’ve got a business to run,” Frazier said. “But this campaign is made up of small business owners, veterans, firefighters, police officers, teachers — people who actually live here and understand the community.”
What He Wants Voters to Consider
Frazier closed with a challenge to voters to look past labels and focus on how candidates govern.
“Do you want somebody that is going to be for the community, or for the party?” he asked. “I’m a sure bet for the community.”
He said voters should judge candidates by their willingness to work across issues and engage directly with the people they represent.
Editor’s Note:
This interview is part of TX3DNews’ ongoing coverage of local and state races. Interviews and candidate profiles are conducted to inform voters and do not constitute an endorsement of any candidate. Candidates of any party running for office are invited to contact candidates@tx3dnews.com to request a candidate profile or interview for consideration.