Texas Governor Candidate Tom Pauken Talks Campaign And Education Reform [AUDIO]

On the Monday edition of The Chad Hasty Show Tom Pauken, Republican candidate for Texas governor, talked with guest host Paul R. Beane about his campaign for Texas governor.

Pauken's political career includes working on Barry Goldwater's 1964 presidential campaign, serving as Director of Action in the Reagan White House staff, and being elected Texas Republican State Chairman in 1994. He has most recently served as Chairman of the Texas Workforce Commission from 2008 to 2012.

On his decision to run for governor of Texas, Pauken explained that he has nothing against current governor Rick Perry, or Texas Attorney General Greg Abbot. He said he decided to run for governor because he felt Republicans are fracturing and straying away from their conservative values, and that the party needs to return to a policy-driven approach.

"I worry that we're fractured again. We've got too many, if you wil, 30-second sound bites and talking points, too much influence of political consultants on both sides of the aisle really, as opposed to a policy-driven grassroots approach to solving the critical problems that face our state and nation. I have nothing against Rick Perry or Greg Abbott, I like them both. But these are serious times and I think we need a different style of leadership that will look for common sense solutions to the problems facing us."

One of Pauken's major goals is education reform. He said that the education system in Texas is anything but conservative, and that the state should get away form this "one-size-fits-all" mentality and expand vocational training. Pauken said he is also in favor of term limits, and is open to the idea of open carry in the state of Texas. He added he would also be open to campus carry, but would prefer it to be an individual college decision as opposed to a state mandate.

For more information on Tom Pauken, visit his website at tompaukenfortexas.com.