Former New Braunfels mayor runs for HD-73

The race for Texas House of Representatives District 73 continues on, as former New Braunfels Mayor Barron Casteel garners favor with residents and officials alike.

Following incumbent Kyle Biedermann’s announcement that he would not run for reelection, multiple challengers stepped up to the plate. Casteel, former New Braunfels City Council Member George Green and nonprofit leader Carrie Isaac fight for the coveted GOP nomination. U.S. Army veteran Justin Calhoun offers the only Democratic option.

On the Republican side of the aisle, Casteel announced several endorsements from local leaders.

Doug Miller, another former New Braunfels mayor who held the District 73 seat from 2009–2017, announced his support for Casteel in mid-October stating that he felt Comal County, which makes up the majority of District 73, needed to be the home of the next representative as opposed to Hays County.

“I respect Carrie’s right to run, but we need to have a Comal County (state) representative,” Miller said. “And I think Barron Casteel is the right person for the job.”

Multiple Comal and Hays County law enforcement leaders endorsed Casteel in mid-December, citing Casteel’s record as mayor and his established support for law enforcement and public safety.

“Barron Casteel will take every step to fully secure our border, stop violent crime, and address the public safety challenges we face,” said Hays County Sheriff Gary Cutler. “His commitment to law enforcement and experience as a conservative mayor is needed in the Texas Legislature.”

“Local prosecutors can count on Barron Casteel,” said Comal County Criminal District Attorney Jennifer Tharp. “As our state representative, he will fight for legislation that allows law enforcement to do their part in keeping our communities safe.”

“I trust Barron Casteel to keep citizens and officers safe,” said former New Braunfels Police Chief Tom Wibert. “As mayor, public safety was a top priority. Casteel added dozens of officers to the local police force to make sure businesses, churches, neighborhoods and schools were safe.”

If Casteel were elected, he would assume the same seat his mother, Carter Casteel, held from 2003–2007. Like his mother, the younger Casteel plans to focus on a conservative agenda prioritizing lower property taxes. His campaign also focuses on “the right to life,” supporting small business owners, defending the second amendment and securing the southern border.

Casteel was raised in New Braunfels and graduated from Canyon High School. After graduating from Baylor University and Quinnipiac College School of Law, he started a law firm serving families in Central Texas. Casteel served as New Braunfels mayor for two terms, from 2014–2020. He and his wife Michele, a retired New Braunfels ISD school counselor, have two sons.