Interview with 10th Congressional District Candidate Rob Altman

Article By: Jayme Hacker, Student Intern | BCS Chronicle

What You Need to Know:

• Rob Altman is a Republican candidate for Texas’ 10th Congressional District race

• He is a Texas A&M graduate and long-time resident of the Bryan-College Station area.

• The focal points of Altman’s campaign are national security, veteran care, fiscal discipline, and constituent services.

• Altman says his immediate goal if elected would be building a strong constituent services operation to help residents navigate federal agencies and address local concerns.

For the first time in over 20 years, Texas’ 10th Congressional District is preparing to send a new representative to Washington for the first time in more than two decades. Following the retirement of longtime Congressman Michael McCaul, the race to the primaries is off to a bustling start with many new faces entering the race to be Bryan-College Station’s next representative. 

Republican candidate Rob Altman is a longtime College Station resident and graduate of Texas A&M University within the Bush School of Government and Public Service. A 25-year military veteran, Rob served as both enlisted and a commissioned officer, including combat deployments and diplomatic assignments overseas. A family man and father of 2, Altman has spent the last several years working in corporate finance and business operations before becoming active in veteran’s advocacy, youth mentorship, and community service. National security, fiscal discipline, veteran care, and constituent services are the pillars of his campaign, as well as his description of running on service and not ambition. 

Q: What inspired you to run for Congress, and what experiences best prepared you for the job?

A: “I grew up as a military kid, and my first real memory of a president was Ronald Reagan, which left me very “red, white, and blue.” I served more than 25 years in the military, both enlisted and commissioned, and that shaped my values around service and doing the right thing. After the military, I worked in corporate America, but some of my most meaningful work was as a scoutmaster and in veterans advocacy. I’ve lived in many places because of the military, but Bryan-College Station has always felt like home. My family ties are here, and I went to school here. I’m running because I enjoy helping people and believe the district needs someone based in the middle of it, not just (in) Austin.”

Q: What is the most pressing issue for constituents in District 10 today?

A: “The economy is the biggest issue I hear, especially affordability. People also have serious frustration and distrust toward elected officials, which contributes to voter fatigue. The district is diverse. Austin’s concerns can look different than communities around Texas A&M or rural East Texas. Water and energy come up everywhere. I want to hold frequent town halls and focus on informing people about opportunities, especially younger adults who feel the American dream is out of reach.”

Q: What specific policies would you pursue to address inflation and housing affordability?

A: “I think inflation is driven by overspending and over-regulation, and I want to focus on deregulation that allows supply to increase and costs to come down. I’m skeptical of federal programs that come with strings attached and don’t match local needs. I also think Washington needs more fiscal discipline. Running permanent deficits is dangerous and unfair to future generations. Cutting fraud, waste, and abuse matters, but it should be done carefully so we don’t eliminate what’s working. Energy policy is also part of this conversation in District 10, and I’ve built a team of advisors because I don’t pretend to know everything.”

Q: Can you elaborate on your priorities for national security and veteran care?

A: “I’m very concerned about China and what I see as long-term strategic and intelligence threats. I also think District 10 is positioned to contribute to national security research, including areas like hypersonics, satellites, and related defense work tied to Texas A&M. On veterans care, I’m frustrated that people still face delays and bureaucracy, especially for mental health appointments. I’ve heard stories where veterans waited weeks to speak to someone even while struggling with PTSD, and that’s unacceptable. I want to focus on what’s broken in the process and improve access across the district.” 

Q: What priorities and special projects do you have in mind for federal funding and infrastructure in District 10?

A: “Infrastructure should serve communities, not override them, and people should see results from tax dollars that are already appropriated. I want to improve the federal process so local leaders can actually access funding for roads, flood mitigation, and basic infrastructure without years of delays. Rural broadband is a big deal because access to information and opportunity depends on it. I also think communities deserve transparency on projects that affect them - like proposed data centers - and the chance to understand long-term impacts. If something is coming that changes daily life for rural communities, they shouldn’t learn about it after the fact.”

Q: How would you work across the aisle to get things accomplished?

A: “I think it’s insane that the government can’t work, and it goes against what the country should be. My approach is to understand what matters to different groups, build relationships, and find ways to move things forward without compromising core values. I want the government to function for people, not just for reelection. The goal is results for District 10, not scoring points.”

Q: Congress is gridlocked, how would you attempt to combat this as a member of Congress?

A: “As a freshman member, I’d focus on learning fast and building relationships. One immediate goal is to build what I’ve told my team would be the best constituent services office in the country. I also want ongoing communication with voters while legislation is happening, not just when it’s time to campaign. I think transparency and constant contact rebuild trust. And I believe you can work with others without compromising morals, ethics, or non-negotiable principles.”

Q: What’s your biggest differentiator from the other Republican candidates in the primary?

A: “I see my campaign as being built on service, not ambition. I’m the only combat veteran in the race, and I believe you can fight for people without being loud or arrogant. I left a strong salary in the finance sector to run because I see this as a job of serving. I don’t want to attack opponents personally; I want voters to judge who is doing it for the right reasons. I’d rather be known as a public servant than a politician.”

Q: What legacy do you hope to leave if elected?

A: “I want people to say I feared God, loved my family, loved my community, and served honorably. I want to be remembered as a mentor who helped develop the next generation of leaders. I want my constituent services office to be the best because service is the point. I also want to model a more pragmatic kind of leadership that treats people with respect. Ultimately, I want to be seen as someone who cared and served.”

Q: What House committees would you want to be on?

A: “I’d be most interested in armed services/national security-related committees and veterans affairs. I’m also passionate about veteran reintegration—helping veterans transition well into civilian life. I pointed to a Texas A&M program, VET+MAP, that focuses on purpose, values, and coaching, not just resumes and LinkedIn profiles. I’d want to help expand and codify approaches like that. Those are the areas I’d work hardest on.”

Q: If you were at H-E-B and ran into voters, what would be in your cart?

A: “Probably some kind of red meat like steak—though my wife is a dietitian, so she keeps me honest. I’d have Greek honey yogurt, berries, asparagus, and probably some spice for brisket. And I’d definitely have tortillas or chips and salsa because I love fresh salsa. He also said he loves H-E-B enough to walk around it for ‘mental happiness.’”

Q: Fun fact about you that wouldn’t be on your website or resume?

A: “I’m a history nerd, and I’ve joked that my thesis was “horrible.” I also sang in a men’s chorus connected to the 82nd Airborne Division and said I’m not a great vocalist, but I can carry a tune in church. He also mentioned involvement with Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, a professional music fraternity. It’s not what people expect from his military background, but he said he genuinely loves music.”

Q: If someone visited District 10 for the first time, where should they go?

Paraphrased Answer: Kyle Field for a Texas A&M football game is the must-do experience. He also mentioned appreciating local barbecue and referenced Snow’s Barbecue, which he believes was featured in Texas Monthly. He said he loves Texas’s historic courthouses, naming the Bastrop County courthouse and the Leon County courthouse in Centerville. He also talked about loving Texas culture—boots, jeans, and a sport coat being perfectly acceptable.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

A: “There is but one just use of power: it is to serve people.”

Note from the BCS Chronicle
Altman is one of several candidates looking to represent Texas’ 10th Congressional district in the upcoming election. This article does not constitute an endorsement for any candidate and, as the race progresses, the Bryan-College Station Chronicle will continue coverage of the race as candidates move in and out of the top primary spots.