Joseph Kopser, an Army veteran and technology leader, has announced his intention to run for Texas House District 47 in 2026, as revealed in a new interview with Vote Like a Texan. The district covers areas including Circle C and parts of Southwest and West Austin. Kopser, a familiar voice to audiences of The Building Texas Show, explained his motivation to return to public service after a career that included 20 years in the Army, business leadership, and education.
Kopser credits his foundation of service to early influences like his sixth-grade teacher, Audrey Grievous, a civil rights icon who shaped his understanding of civic responsibility. "Every opportunity I saw people in my community who put servant leadership first left an impression," Kopser shared. He emphasized that his priorities remain consistent: creating jobs, improving education, and building a stronger future for Texas children. "At the end of the day, what elected officials need to do is meet voters where they are—around jobs, education, and our kids’ future," he told Vote Like a Texan.
A significant portion of the interview focused on Texas's role in the national space economy. Kopser, co-founder of SWIFT (Space Workforce Incubator for Texas), highlighted the need to develop a skilled workforce to support the state's growing aerospace industry. "If you don’t have the workforce to turn the wrenches, connect the pipes, and build the rockets, the industry is dead on the pad," Kopser said. He cited Texas's capacity for both East and West Coast–aligned launch pathways and bipartisan support behind the Texas Space Commission as key advantages. More details on his space initiatives can be found at https://www.votelikeatexan.org.
Throughout the conversation, Kopser reinforced the importance of voter participation, urging Texans to engage in the democratic process. "I don’t care who they vote for, just vote," he said. "I don’t want a small percentage of Texans deciding who our elected officials are, because the decisions they make impact our daily lives." The full interview is available through Vote Like a Texan's digital platforms, encouraging voters in District 47 and across Texas to watch and stay engaged as campaigns for 2026 take shape. For additional resources on voter education, visit https://www.thebuildingtexasshow.com.
This announcement matters because it highlights critical issues facing Texas, such as economic development, educational reform, and workforce readiness in emerging industries like aerospace. Kopser's candidacy could influence policy decisions that affect job markets, school systems, and Texas's competitive edge in space innovation, impacting residents' daily lives and the state's long-term growth. Increased voter engagement, as he advocates, is essential for ensuring representative governance in a rapidly evolving state.
