Joseph Heft Launches Campaign for Texas House District 45, Focuses on Infrastructure and Education

BUDA, TX – July 4, 2025 – This Fourth of July, a familiar face in Buda is stepping forward. Joseph Heft, Marine Corps veteran, business owner, and Hays County resident is running for Texas House District 45. He’s not a career politician. He’s a neighbor who’s felt what many families here are feeling: rising prices, traffic dangers, stretched schools, and state leaders who don’t return calls.

Heft spent years overseas serving America, earned business degrees, and built his career through hard work not handouts. After returning home to Central Texas, he stayed to support family and invest in the local community. Now, after meeting with local mayors, public safety leaders, and residents across the district, he’s ready to serve again, this time for District 45 covering Buda, Kyle, San Marcos, Dripping Springs, and beyond.

Our message is simple: Put our district first. Fix what’s broken. Respect taxpayers. Protect our way of life. Faith, family, and freedom aren’t just talking points, they’re how he lives. And he believes District 45 deserves a voice in the Capitol that reflects those values.

Heft’s campaign centers on addressing the real, everyday challenges faced by families and small businesses in Central Texas. Drawing from recent meetings with civic leadership and local advocates, the campaign will prioritize foundational issues: modernizing infrastructure, protecting local control, improving education equity, and supporting thoughtful economic development.

"We have unique communities across District 45—each with their own identity, heritage, and priorities," said Heft. "Our current state representation hasn’t delivered the tools or flexibility local leaders need to serve their people effectively. We’re offering a new approach, one rooted in service, cooperation, and accountability."

Highlights of the district’s unmet needs include:

Water Infrastructure: Projects like the Gonzales County water pipeline and Aquifer Storage and Recovery system have seen years of delay, as documented in regional planning reports from the Texas Water Development Board. Without timely state support, local governments face mounting pressure to secure reliable water access for a rapidly growing population—challenges residents have seen firsthand through prolonged construction and limited infrastructure updates.

Road and Traffic Safety: Roadways like FM 1626 and RM 967 remain underfunded due to persistent state-level backlog. According to the Texas Department of Transportation's Crash Records Information System (CRIS), Hays County saw a 27% rise in reported traffic accidents between 2018 and 2023, with a notable concentration in fast-growing areas like Buda and Kyle. This data underscores an urgent call for strategic state investment and safety improvements that protect lives and support continued growth.

Balance Growth with Conservation: Support state-level funding and policy that empowers local leaders to responsibly manage development—expanding roads and infrastructure where it’s needed, while protecting critical wildlife zones and preventing environmental overreach. Growth shouldn’t come at the cost of sustainability, and underdeveloped areas must be given attention without sacrificing our natural resources.

Education Quality: Once a district that attracted families for its strong public schools, Hays CISD has seen its overall academic performance decline since 2018, according to Texas Education Agency accountability reports. STAAR exam results and district ratings have shown measurable drops, especially in middle and high schools. Additionally, families with children requiring special education services face longer wait times and fewer resources. Heft will advocate for increased state-level support to restore educational excellence, especially for underserved students, and return Hays to its reputation as a destination for quality education.

Accessibility and Inclusion: Aging infrastructure across the district continues to hinder mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities. From uneven sidewalks to outdated public facilities, many areas remain non-compliant with modern accessibility standards. According to a 2022 audit by the Hays County Strategic Plan, more than 30% of public buildings require updates to meet ADA guidelines. Heft plans to introduce legislation that helps local governments access grants and technical support to make schools, parks, and civic buildings accessible to all residents—ensuring that every person, regardless of age or ability, can participate fully in community life.

Community-Guided Growth: From Garrison Park to the HEB redevelopment area, cities need targeted state partnership—not red tape—to implement locally led plans that preserve identity while supporting smart growth.

Heft’s platform as a state representative seeks to assist—not override—local governance:

Advocate for streamlined state grants and legislation that empower cities to improve infrastructure and services while preserving local control.

Champion education policies that increase flexibility, support underserved populations, and restore teacher and classroom autonomy.

Encourage business-friendly reforms that support local hiring, incentivize small business growth, and reduce burdensome state mandates.

Work directly with local leaders to identify underfunded projects and push for efficient allocation of state resources.

“This campaign is built to serve working families, small-town communities, and future generations,” said Heft. “We’re not trying to make these cities look like Austin, we’re here to help them stay distinct, strong, and community-driven.”

To learn more, volunteer, or support Joseph Heft’s campaign for Texas House District 45, visit www.HeftForTexas.com.