TYLER, Texas (KETK) – A day after Rep. Matt Schaefer announced he would not be seeking reelection to the Texas House of Representatives in 2024, someone new stepped up to the plate.
Local businessman Daniel Alders announced he will run to represent State House District 6. Alders is the President of Drake Management Services, which is a commercial property management company in Tyler.
Before joining Drake, Alders served as East Texas Regional Director to Sen. Ted Cruz where he was “the Senator’s primary liaison to business owners, organizations, community leaders, and constituents across a thirty-five county region.” Before that, he spent five years doing real estate in the Nacogdoches area.
“As a 7th generation Texan and East Texas native, I am running for State Representative because I want to ensure our values of life, liberty and personal responsibility are pursued and defended in Austin,” Alders said. “I am grateful for the encouragement I have received from leaders across Smith County, and especially for Representative Schaefer’s endorsement. I look forward to continuing his legacy of conservative leadership in Austin.”
In addition to Shaefer’s endorsement, Alders said he has support from prominent local figures like State Rep. Cole Hefner and Smith County District Attorney Jacob Putman. Former Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce Chairs Jeff Austin III and Mary Elizabeth Jackson also endorsed him.
A Platform Alders considers a priority is securing our southern border.
“East Texans are also feeling the brunt of that. Our sheriff’s departments, our troopers here in East Texas are feeling the burden or an insecure border, a porous border,” said Alders.
Other issues Alders believes are important stretch from parent empowerment to decreasing property taxes even more for Texans.
“It’s an important idea and we need to see that realized in our communities and then we need to continue to build on the improvements we saw in the legislation passed during the special session on property taxes,” said Alders.
Alders believes bringing his business background to the table is just what East Texans need.
“It’s solved in how you go about your business. Understanding the accountability to the voters to the constituents, understanding that you work for them is an important part of being an elected official,” said Alders.
He will visit with residents soon and hope to win over your vote.
“I look forward to running for state representative and serving the people of East Texas in Austin,” said Alders.
Alders has been married to Joanna for 14 years with two school-age daughters, Trinity and Madeleine. The family attends Fifth Street Presbyterian Church, where Daniel is the deacon.
He is also a member of the Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership Program and has served as chair of the Tyler Liberty Leadership Council.
