In the Lubbock Public Library on Tuesday, Nov. 28, Drew Landry, an assistant professor at South Plains College, gathered with a handful of supporters to file his candidacy in the race for Texas House of Representatives District 83.

District 83 includes the counties of Terry, Gaines, Lynn, Borden, Scurry and Mitchell, in addition to parts of Lubbock county, according to a news release from Landry's campaign.Currently, Dustin Burrows is the state representative for District 83.

Having expressed a clear interest in advocating for teachers and students, Landry said his campaign exists for the sake of public school teachers, students, school board members and administrators.

"We've been on the campaign trail for the past six months and we are feeling a wind of change that is on the backs of people who really care what's going on here in West Texas," he said. "They're really starting to say, 'Hey, I want my public schools to do well. I want to drive on good roads. I want the farms to thrive and we want wind and solar energy.'"

He said these are the issues people hope their representative will be talking about in Austin.

Once he was behind the podium, Landry said with a laugh that the audience resembled that of a small church or a classroom. He then thanked those at the library for joining him as he filed his candidacy.

Quickly transitioning into his main points, he said evaluating property taxes, protecting the farming industry and maintaining Texas roads are some of the issues he will speak up about if elected.

"It's time we make Texas stronger than ever before," Landry said.

In reference to Texas' medical systems and healthcare plans, he said he wants Texas to implement several new policies.

One of these new policies, Landry said, would involve allowing patients to negotiate the price of the medications they are prescribed.

"In order to maintain our promise to the next generation, we must have a healthy generation," he said.

After speaking about many of his other goals, Landry said he wants to increase respect for locally-elected state officials.

He said everyone from police officers and firefighters to city officials will have a friend in him.

"This campaign is about the people of District 83 and its values," Landry said.