From Cattle Ranch to Congress: A Conservative’s Journey
As Brandon Gill traversed his family’s cattle ranch in Texas on a tractor, it wasn’t the sounds of country music that filled his ears, but rather the captivating dialogues from talk radio and conservative audiobooks.
From a young age, Gill gravitated towards political discussions rather than the typical tunes of his environment.
This early passion paved the way for his ambition to join Congress, where he now proudly serves as a freshman representative for Texas’s 26th congressional district.
Interestingly, his recent family gatherings are now enriched by the engaging conversations he shares with a significant figure in conservative politics.
Brandon is married to Danielle D’Souza, the daughter of renowned political commentator Dinesh D’Souza. Danielle has also hosted a show on The Epoch Times’ video platform, Epoch TV.
“Dinesh is a mentor in politics for me,” Gill remarked to The Epoch Times. “But more importantly, he’s my father-in-law and a grandfather to my little daughter.”
Their discussions span history, economics, and philosophy, diving deep beyond just politics, Gill added.
“This certainly sets the stage for stimulating conversations over Christmas dinner.”
Conservative commentator, author, and filmmaker Dinesh D’Souza speaks to The Epoch Times at the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference in Camp Hill, Pa., on April 5, 2024. Terry Wang/The Epoch Times
Young Republican
Gill has been attentive to conservative voices from a young age, he recounted.
Premium Picks
“I grew up immersed in the insights of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, and Michael Savage, alongside conservative audiobooks,” he stated. “This was the atmosphere that surrounded me, and my interest in these topics has been longstanding.”
Economist and philosopher Thomas Sowell has also played a key role in shaping Gill’s conservative views.
“At a fundamental level, conservatives and liberals hold starkly different views on human nature,” Gill expressed.
In his book “A Conflict of Visions,” Sowell outlines how conservative thought recognizes that humans “are created in God’s image,” Gill shared, emphasizing that conservatism values human dignity, freedom, opportunity, and life itself.
Moreover, Gill pointed out that conservatism acknowledges human imperfection, asserting “we require institutions to help manage flawed human behavior.”
In the context of American ideals, Gill noted that conservatism encompasses a commitment to “limited government” along with adherence to the Constitution and the principles of freedom and liberty that founded the nation.
Rep.-elect Brandon Gill (R-Texas) speaks with a reporter as he arrives for a new member orientation program for the 119th Congress in Washington on Nov. 14, 2024. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Goals in Congress
Gill took over from former Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas), who dedicated 22 years to Congress before opting out of the 2024 reelection race.
Burgess, a physician, prioritized healthcare during his tenure.
In contrast, Gill is focused on enhancing border security.
He is also a member of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, which is part of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. This subcommittee collaborates with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which aims to eliminate waste in government operations. Committee members assist DOGE personnel in identifying waste, fraud, and abuse within the federal system.
Fighting Injunctions
On March 18, Gill introduced a resolution to impeach Judge James Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
In justifying his decision, Boasberg presented various considerations, including the likelihood of the plaintiffs prevailing in the legal matter. The plaintiffs argued that five Venezuelans slated for deportation were affiliated with the gang.
“By making a decision influenced by political motives beyond his judicial responsibilities, he compromised the judiciary’s impartiality and instigated a constitutional crisis.”
A military flight carrying illegal immigrant members of the Tren de Aragua gang to Guantanamo Bay prepares to depart El Paso, Texas, on Feb. 4, 2025. Department of Homeland Security
In February, Gill took a stand against Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), who is often associated with the progressive faction known as The Squad.
Omar, who moved to the United States from Somalia in the 1990s, has been a U.S. citizen since then and has represented her district in Congress since January 2019, an area with a significant Somali community.
“Disclosure of your name, immigration status, and mode of entry is not mandatory,” Omar stated. “Understand the laws, prepare yourself, and be cautious about disclosing information you wish to keep private.”
However, he emphasized that after four years of open borders, he observes a “serious concern” regarding how Democrats “are enabling the invasion of our nation by unauthorized immigrants.”
“My colleague Ilhan Omar was instructing undocumented Somalis on how to evade ICE enforcement. That is profoundly un-American behavior.”
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) greets her supporters at the Minnesota Congressional District 5 Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party’s Nominating Convention in Minneapolis on May 11, 2024. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times
Words of Wisdom
Outside of his responsibilities on Capitol Hill, Gill enjoys reading and spending quality time with his wife and their 18-month-old daughter, Marigold.
If he had the chance to give younger self some guidance, he would emphasize: “Invest time in understanding and learning from others as much as possible; there’s much to gain from both peers and mentors, especially those who are older.
“Also, dedicate ample time to reading. It’s a powerful way to gain insights into the minds of experienced individuals.”
This echoes his childhood experiences, riding on a tractor while absorbing knowledge.
Today, the ranch kid from Texas, who forged conservative beliefs beneath the hot sun, is actively applying those beliefs in the corridors of Congress.
