(NW Harris) Congressional Candidate Forum - CD2, CD8, & CD38

Name: (NW Harris) Congressional Candidate Forum - CD2, CD8, & CD38
Start: 2026-02-17T18:30:00-06:00
End: 2026-02-17T20:00:00-06:00
Location: Tomball Community Center

Schedule

Tue Feb 17 2026 at 06:30 pm to 08:00 pm

UTC-06:00

Location

Tomball Community Center | Tomball, TX

Come be an informed voter at this month's True Texas Project Congressional Candidate Forum.
The March primary is fast approaching, with early voting beginning this month. There is still time to hear from your candidates, shake their hands, ask your questions, and make a truly informed decision. We are eager to hear from candidates in CD2, CD8, and CD38, so join us to learn about their campaigns.
Tuesday, February 17th
Tomball Community Center, 221 Market St. Tomball, TX 77375
6:00pm – Prayer gathering (open to all)
6:30-8:00pm – meeting
No dues. No fees. No memberships. No RSVPs
Candidates Attending:
CD2: Martin Etwop, Nick Plumb
CD8: Nick Tran
CD38: Barrett McNabb, Carmen Maria Montiel, Larry Rubin, Jeff Yuna
About Martin Etwop:
Martin Etwop is an unashamed Christian conservative, born and raised in Uganda as the fourth of seven children to two high school educators. Growing up amid the nation's worst HIV epidemic, wars following Idi Amin's fall, and conflicts in Northern Uganda (1981-2001), echoing the "Kony 2012" documentary, Martin endured poverty, disease, and chaos, experiencing Marxism and socialism's dangers firsthand. His parents instilled stewardship, responsibility, and reliance on God, lessons he carried forward. In his late teens and early twenties, Martin shared Jesus's love, leading mission teams across nations in Africa. Twenty years ago, he arrived in the U.S. as a missionary, serving in Victorville, Hollywood, and the San Francisco Bay Area, California. He worked in education at a Christian school and automotive manufacturing at Tesla Inc., later becoming a constitutional attorney defending religious freedom, family values, and conservative principles in Texas. Martin’s law practice is based here in Texas, but he also supports conservative movements in Georgia, Michigan, and Florida through his involvement as with Citizens Defending Freedom. Martin's career highlights include defending Trump-train supporters against Biden administration prosecution, opposing Title IX changes by engaging federal attorneys and urging 700 Texas school boards to protect girls, defending pastors' religious expressions, Texans' polling rights, election integrity, teachers' conservative views, and parents against school abuses. He embodies the American Dream, rising from the dunghill of despair to holding government accountable. A dedicated husband and father of four in Conroe, Texas, Martin is a devout follower of Jesus and staunch constitutional conservative running for U.S. Congress in Texas's 2nd District to challenge the status quo. He champions faith, freedom, and fiscal responsibility: repealing burdensome regulations, supporting a simpler consumption tax to empower everyday Americans, fighting cronyism and woke ideologies, and prioritizing border security, economic growth, and liberties. His campaign aims to bring a true conservative voice that puts constituents first.
About Nick Plumb:
My journey hasn't followed the typical path to Washington. It began with a choice presented by my father on my 18th birthday: Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marines. I chose the Army, embarking on a path of service that would define my early adult life. My commitment deepened as I later dedicated six years to the Navy JAG Corps.
Transitioning from military life, I sought new ways to contribute... I joined Walmart with a simple goal: to learn, compete, and deliver results through hard work. I didn't have connections or a fancy degree to rely on – just determination. It paid off. By my third anniversary, I was managing the third highest-volume and most profitable store in the entire chain. My subsequent career at Amazon further honed my leadership skills. Launching new fulfillment centers demanded innovation, efficiency, and the ability to build and lead high-performing teams.
My path wasn't paved with political connections or family wealth. It was built on seizing opportunities, relentless effort, and achieving success through merit. I've seen the American Dream firsthand, and I'm running because I refuse to stand by while that dream slips away for others due to outdated policies or economic barriers. I'm not a career politician or a rigid ideologue. Having built my career through the economic shifts of the last two decades, I understand both the timeless principles of hard work and the modern realities that demand fresh solutions. I am a pragmatic problem-solver, guided by conservative principles and informed by diverse, real-world experiences.
About Nick Tran:
I was born in South Vietnam. When Saigon fell in 1975, my father and I escaped on a leaking boat with nothing but the clothes on our backs. We were rescued at sea by the United States Navy after the communists took everything from us. America did not just save our lives. She gave us a future. I will never forget that debt.
I paid America back the only way I knew how. I put on the uniform. For over thirteen years, I served on the front lines of three wars: Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. I learned what real leadership looks like when bullets are flying and good men are counting on you to bring them home.
Leadership is not a speech. It is Sacrifice. It is Duty.
When I came home, I kept serving. I used my GI Bill, earned my bachelor’s degree, and graduated from Harvard Business School. Then I spent twelve years in oil and gas, keeping America energy independent and building veteran-hiring programs that put thousands of my brothers and sisters back to work, got veterans off the streets, found healing for PTS, empowered veteran entrepreneurs, and always gave them a hand up, never a handout.
I have seen what big government and the political elite do up close. Endless regulations, open borders, woke bureaucrats, and career politicians who care more about their next fundraiser than your family.
I am sick of it, and I know you are too. I came here with nothing. America gave me everything. Now Washington is trying to take it away from all of us.
I swore an oath to defend this country from all enemies, foreign and domestic. I kept that oath in the mountains of Afghanistan and the deserts of Iraq.
Now I am keeping it again in TX-8 against the Washington insiders and radical left who are selling out the country we love.
This warfighter is stepping up one more time. Not for D.C., but for We The People.
About Barrett McNabb:
Barrett’s early life was marked by hardship and resilience. Following his parents’ divorce and his mother’s debilitating illness, a seven-year-old Barrett became her primary caregiver. Through this experience, he learned the values of perseverance, compassion, and faith. Qualities that would define his leadership in both military and civilian life. His mother still says his peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were the best she ever had.
Barrett graduated from Kingwood High School in Texas, where he was involved in both athletics and academics. A fateful course registration at Sam Houston State University led him to an ROTC class—an unexpected turn that launched a 16-year military career.
Commissioned as an Infantry Officer in 1999, Barrett served in some of the U.S. Army’s most elite and demanding units, including the 82nd Airborne Division and while conducting missions with Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). He led troops in Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan, earning two Bronze Star Medals for gallantry and leadership under fire.
In Iraq, he took part in covert operations with the CIA and the 75th Ranger Regiment during the 2003 invasion, escorting HIMARS rocket systems into combat zones. In Afghanistan, he embedded with Afghan forces as a Combat Advisor, mentoring senior leaders and coordinating combat operations.
He later served as a Foreign Area Officer posted to the U.S. Embassy in Morocco, where he helped lead Exercise African Lion, the largest U.S. military exercise in Africa. For his diplomatic and operational leadership, he received the Department of State Meritorious Honor Award—a rare honor for a Department of Defense officer. Barrett’s military education includes Airborne, Air Assault, Pathfinder, and Sniper Employment Leader courses. His decorations consist of the Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Presidential Unit Citation, Valorous Unit Award, and multiple foreign parachutist badges.
After retiring from the U.S. Army in 2015, Barrett returned to Texas and embarked on a new chapter as a business leader. Alongside his mother, he became a franchisee of The Joint Chiropractic, expanding their operation to six clinics across the Houston area.
His business achievements include: Franchisee of the Year (2017) – The Joint Chiropractic, Veteran Entrepreneurial MVP Award (2020) – Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine, President, National Franchise Advisory Board (2022–2024). Today, Barrett is the Founder and CEO of Consolidated Wellness Management Group, Inc., as he continues his mission to serve others through innovation, leadership, and integrity.
Barrett McNabb is not a career politician—he’s a battle-tested leader, a successful businessman, and a servant of the people. He’s running for Congress to advocate for families, Veterans, small businesses, and all Texans who feel overlooked by Washington.
Barrett resides in Houston with his wife, Kimberly, and their two children, Cade and Scarlett. A devout Christian and constitutional conservative, he advocates for limited government, strong national defense, and the protection of the freedoms that make America exceptional.
About Carmen Maria Montiel:
Carmen Maria was born in Venezuela into a traditional Spanish Colonial family, in which education, hard work and giving back were priorities, and began her charity work as a young girl in her church youth program. When Carmen was just 16 years old, just like in a Hollywood movie, the president of the Miss Venezuela pageant discovered her. Her beauty and elegance earned her the titles of Miss Venezuela, Miss South America, and Second Runner-Up in the Miss Universe Pageant in 1984. Carmen studied Arts at Universidad Central of Venezuela, and her television career was launched in 1984, when she joined “Buenos Dias Venezuela” on Venevision. In May 1988, Carmen Maria moved to the United States to continue her education. East Tennessee State University 1991 - Degrees in Broadcasting and Spanish, Magna Cum Laude exclusive!
In 2018 she ran a successful Campaign for U.S. Congressional District 29 and made it to the runoff where on Election Day she got 66% of the votes and Early Voting by 61%, however lost by 83 votes.
2022 Campaign: As a candidate she is for America First, supports the Faith and Freedom coalition, and is a key person in the Latino Red Wave. None of the other Latino / Latina candidates have her strong background, presence in front of the cameras and she has been a supporter of President Trump from 2016.
2025 Campaign: Carmen’s mission has always been to flip a Democratic district and defeat the Democrats. That is why, in March, following the passing of Sylvester Turner, which opened the seat in Texas Congressional District 18, she immediately entered the race. Carmen emerged as the leading Republican contender and ultimately finished fourth on Election Day, November 4,
About Larry Rubin:
A proven leader with decades of international experience, Larry Rubin brings a unique combination of diplomatic expertise, business acumen, and community dedication to the race for Texas' Congressional District 38.
"I am a conservative Republican focused on safeguarding the values that make our community strong – family, faith and freedom, and committed to lowering taxes, cutting waste, securing our border, protecting parental rights and ensuring Texas remains the best place in America to live, work and raise a family."
About Jeff Yuna:
As a 6th-generation Texan, Christian, and serial entrepreneur, I bring a diverse background of leadership, service, and advocacy to my campaign. Born and raised in Texas, I’ve built businesses from the ground up—starting with mowing lawns as a teenager, running a pawnshop, and becoming a licensed firearms dealer—demonstrating my commitment to hard work and economic freedom. As a licensed minister, father of four, and dedicated community member, I’ve championed property tax reform to ease the burden on Texas families. My platform is rooted in my deep faith, love for country, and belief in limited government, shaped by years of real-world experience navigating regulatory challenges and serving others. With a passion for putting America First, I’m running to fight for secure borders, fiscal responsibility, energy independence, and the empowerment of every citizen through policies that uphold our values and protect our future.