Pfluger for Congress Picks Up Endorsements from Former U.S. Secretary of Commerce and Energy Leaders

MIDLAND, TX — Three prominent oil and gas industry leaders from the Permian Basin announced their endorsement of Lt. Col. August Pfluger (R-San Angelo) in the Republican Primary for Texas’ 11th Congressional District on Monday according to a campaign press release.

Former U.S. Commerce Secretary Don Evans, Concho Resources CEO Tim Leach, and Diamondback Energy CEO Travis Stice issued the following joint statement:

“We are proud to support August Pfluger for Congress and believe he’s the right choice to protect our oil and gas industry, support our business community, and defend our Texas values. August’s extensive national security experience makes him ready to lead from day one…we can trust him to fight for our community and protect the oil and gas resources in the Permian Basin, which are critical strategic assets for our country.”

Don Evans served as the nation’s 34th Secretary of Commerce from 2001 until 2005. Evans previously served as Chairman and CEO of Tom Brown, Inc., Chairman of Energy Future Holdings Company (formerly TXU Energy) and on the University of Texas System Board of Regents. As Commerce Secretary, Evans was a strong advocate for the free-enterprise system, free and fair-trade agreements, and responsible corporate stewardship. To encourage job creation, Evans worked closely with President Bush to reduce taxes, open markets for American goods and services, and promote a level playing field abroad.

Tim Leach is the Chairman and CEO of Concho Resources, Inc. and serves on the Board of Directors of the Permian Strategic Partnership. Leach was appointed to the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents by Governor Greg Abbott in 2017 and currently serves on the Energy Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Tim also serves on the Board of Governors for Midland Memorial Foundation, the Board of Directors of the Midland College Foundation, the Scharbauer Foundation and the Advisory Board of the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute. Leach is a member of the Petroleum Museum Hall of Fame and has received the Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Oil & Gas Association and the "Top Hand Award" from the Permian Basin Petroleum Association.

Travis Stice is Director and CEO of Diamondback Energy, Inc. and serves on the Board of Directors of the Permian Strategic Partnership. Mr. Stice is a registered engineer in Texas and is a 30-year member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers. He also serves on the board of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association, American Exploration and Production Council, the National Petroleum Council, the Manor Park Retirement Center in Midland, the Midland Memorial Hospital, the Midland Chamber of Commerce, and the Midland Petroleum Club.

Lt. Colonel August Pfluger is a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a decorated fighter pilot with over 300 hours of direct combat against radical jihadists in the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Until launching his campaign in September, August served as a member of President Donald J. Trump’s National Security Council staff, where he was entrusted with our nation’s highest security clearance and charged with advising President Trump on a host of foreign and domestic threats to our nation’s security.

A seventh-generation Texan, August describes himself as a conservative Republican, a proud husband and father, and a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. He and his wife, Camille, have three young daughters, Vivian, Caroline, and Juliana. In his free time, August enjoys coaching his daughters’ youth soccer teams and leading Bible study groups for military service members – something he’s done at every base he’s been stationed.