Meet Jonathan Hildner

Jonathan with his father: BG Terrence Hildner.

My name is Jonathan Hildner, I am a proud native Texan, and I am just as passionate about protecting our individual rights and liberties as I am about fighting for the betterment of our community. As a son of Killeen, growing up here provided me with many invaluable memories and experiences that only those that call our community home can understand: I know what it means to live, work, play, and struggle in Central Texas.

My mom died only a few years after giving birth to me, and my father was a Brigadier General that served honorably in the United States Army until his death in the line of duty in Afghanistan in 2012. My childhood wasn’t easy, but I took the lessons I learned from my father with me and did what I needed to succeed. I played football for the Killeen High School Kangaroos, and then received a scholarship to attend Limestone College in South Carolina, where I played safety for the Limestone Saints before receiving my Bachelors of Arts in 2018.

Jonathan walking through main street

After graduating, I interned for Congresswoman Katherine Clark of Massachusetts, before working on future President Joe Biden’s campaign. And in 2020, I returned home and founded Let’s Move Killeen, a community organization focused on healing racial divides, ending no-knock warrants, and bridging the gap between our communities and police to make Killeen a safer place for all.

My dad 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. He taught me to trust in the power of problem solving and the importance of working toward collaborative solutions. It is his spirit of service and willingness to stand for what’s right in our community that inspired me to run for Texas State House District 54.

Over the past decade, Bell County has exploded in size, population, and diversity. But unfortunately, our infrastructure has struggled to keep up with our 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 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.

Jonathan Hildner at a Voter Registration site.
Jonathan Hildner meeting with Supporter

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

 

– Jonathan Hildner