Following yet another devastating fentanyl overdose claiming the life of a teenager in Texas Congressional District 3, the glaring reality of the "opioid crisis" is once again thrust into the spotlight. However, amidst this distressing news, the silence from our current congressman is deafening. Despite many politicians rehashing political "talking points" on border security and the illegal transportation of fentanyl across the border, they conveniently overlook the grim truth: the drug is already here, circulating on social media platforms with ease and contributing to more than 3,100 overdose deaths in Texas annually.

Amidst this alarming backdrop, only one candidate stands prepared to tackle this pressing issue head-on, Dr. Tre Pennie. Drawing upon a career that spans law enforcement and public safety advocacy, Dr. Pennie offers a unique perspective. As a retired Dallas Police sergeant with firsthand experience combating drug-related crime on the streets, Dr. Pennie garnered national attention in 2001 when he seized over 1.2 million dollars' worth of ice methamphetamine during a routine traffic stop. This major seizure underscores his unwavering commitment to ridding our communities of dangerous drugs.

In the midst of the chaos and dysfunction plaguing the halls of Congress, it's imperative that we, the constituents of Texas Congressional District 3, demand better leadership. The recent wave of retirements among House Republicans underscores the urgent need for capable, principled representatives who can navigate the complexities of governance with integrity and effectiveness. That's why I firmly believe that Dr. Tre Pennie is the leader we need to represent us in Congress.

Dr. Pennie brings a unique blend of expertise and experience to the table. Unlike the incumbent who has been embroiled in controversy and discord since taking office, Dr. Pennie offers a fresh perspective and a proven track record of bipartisan collaboration. As someone who has been actively involved in negotiating public safety legislation, Dr. Pennie understands the importance of finding common ground and putting the needs of the people above personal political gain.

One of the key reasons why Texas Congressional District 3 deserves better leadership is because the current incumbent, Keith Self, has failed to effectively represent our interests. His actions, such as being one of the 20 Republicans and the "only" one from the freshman class who held out on the Republican vote to select a speaker, demonstrate a lack of commitment to constructive governance. Furthermore, his insensitivity to the victims of the Allen Mall shooting shows that he is simply incapable of the leadership needed to bestow confidence upon the community. Additionally, his vote to oust Speaker McCarthy has only added to the chaos and dysfunction in Congress and has lowered the respect for the Republican conference.

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As violent crime in America continues to increase, policies continue to become more lenient which has made our communities less safe. Political agendas like Defund the Police and No Bail laws have demoralized law enforcement and have weakened the criminal justice system's ability to maintain public safety.

This week marked the release of Dr. Tre Pennie's official video unveiling his "SECURE AMERICA FOR EVERYONE" initiative. In this concise 30-second clip, Dr. Pennie shares a personal narrative, recounting the profound impact of violent crime on his own family. Drawing attention to notable incidents of shooting violence in Texas, including the Uvalde School Shooting, he argues that the nation requires qualified leadership in Congress to effectively tackle these complex challenges.

Central to Dr. Pennie's plan is a commitment to Secure America for Everyone. This involves implementing policies that specifically target violence by addressing the shortcomings in the probation and parole system, with the aim of keeping violent offenders off the streets. Additionally, he advocates for the closure of legal loopholes that, in his view, have allowed state and local officials to infringe upon citizens' Constitutional rights under the 14th Amendment (Equal Protection Clause), thereby subjecting communities to crime in the name of social justice agendas that seemingly prioritize criminals over victims.

U.S. Congressional candidate Tre Pennie, R-Texas, tells 'Fox & Friends Weekend' that 'now is the time for law enforcement to take hold of their own destiny.'

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Discusses impact of the defund police movement

National Fallen Officer Foundation President Dr Tre Pennie says gun violence is "not slowing down" anytime soon in America.

This comes after a gunman opened fire in Lewiston, Maine at two separate locations, leaving 22 dead and at least 30 injured.

"This is an issue we need to address as a whole," he told Sky News host Erin Molan.

"If you think about it, this year alone we've had about 566 mass shootings in the United States.

"Those are incidents where four or more people were shot and killed or four or more people were shot at one time that involved a death."

National Fallen Officer Foundation President Tre Pennie says Americans are "desensitised" to gun violence.

This comes after a gunman opened fire in Lewiston, Maine at two separate locations, leaving 18 people dead.

"Unfortunately it happens more than anywhere else in the inner city, it happens, I mean that's the reality," he told Sky News host Erin Molan.