Meet Jonathan Hildner

My name is Jonathan Hildner and I am a proud native Texan. I am equally as passionate about protecting individual rights as I am about coming together for the betterment of the community. I understand what it means to live, work, play, and struggle in central Texas. I believe that Texas holds a special place of influence and leadership in this country, and I believe that this district will play a large role in maintaining that influence and leadership in coming years.

My father, a Brigadier General in the Army who passed away in Afghanistan in 2012, taught me to trust in the power of authentic relationships and the importance of working toward collaborative solutions. It is in that spirit of community service that I was inspired to run for Texas State House District 54.

Growing up in Killeen, especially playing football for Killeen High School, provided many invaluable memories and lessons, although it was not an easy journey. When I left Texas for college, I discovered that although every community is important, not all communities have the strength, resilience, and grit of those in HD-54.

Over the past decade, Bell County has exploded in size, population, and diversity. Unfortunately, the infrastructure in HD-54 has struggled to keep up with this growth. Dilapidated housing in our historic communities, lack of job opportunities, and poor access to broadband throughout the county are just a few of the issues keeping our cities, large and small, from reaching their potential. One of my primary goals, when elected, is to attract new, reliable, well-paying job opportunities, and the revitalization that will follow, to the communities of Bell County.

2020 was a wakeup call. Many of our country’s greatest challenges were brought to the forefront. The pandemic, the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, the 2020 election, and winter storm Uri each highlighted the need for community organization and empowerment. Throughout this challenging time, I found comfort and strength in working with neighbors to bridge gaps, distribute resources, and fight for local interests. After working to build grassroots support for the Biden campaign in Iowa and Georgia, I knew it was time to bring my focus back home, where I co-founded a community support non-profit called Let’s Move and worked with local organizations to ban no-knock warrants and get decriminalization of marijuana on the local ballot.

My father was considered a “soldier’s soldier.” He led from the front and he lifted the voices of all of his soldiers – regardless of rank. He believed that accomplishments come, not from power or medals, but through building authentic connections. I hope to carry on his legacy by providing representation to ALL the people of my district, especially those who have felt ignored and unheard for so long. One thing I have heard repeatedly while talking to folks in the district, is the desperate need for new leadership that listens and fights for what our communities need – someone the people can relate to. I believe I am this candidate.

It’s going to be challenging, but I’m in it for the long haul.