Candidates seeking the Republican nomination to represent Texas’ 32nd Congressional District participated Wednesday night in a candidate forum hosted by The Dallas Express, giving voters an opportunity to hear directly from the contenders on border security, immigration, federal spending, foreign policy, and congressional accountability.
The forum featured Abteen Vaziri, Monty Montanez, Darrell Day, Jace Yarbrough, Paul Bondar, and Ryan Binkley. The event was streamed live and has continued to draw thousands of views online.
Texas Congressional District 32 Candidate Forum
Texas Congressional District 32 Candidate Forum https://t.co/nOpbnndnrL
— The Dallas Express News (@DallasExpress) January 28, 2026
Coverage And Engagement
The event was covered live by Tony Ortiz of Current Revolt, who provided real-time reporting and a detailed thread summarizing questions and candidate responses throughout the evening. The live coverage extended the reach of the forum beyond the venue and allowed voters to follow the discussion as it unfolded.
Forum Format
The forum followed a structured format designed to ensure fairness and equal treatment for all participants. Each candidate was given two minutes for opening and closing statements and one minute to respond to each question. The order of responses for each question was determined by random drawing. Candidates were permitted brief responses only when directly referenced by another participant.
Affordability And Cost Of Living
When asked about the most pressing issue facing the district, Ryan Binkley pointed to affordability, citing rising housing costs and broader economic pressures affecting younger Americans.
Border Security, Immigration, And H-1B
Candidates criticized Congress’ long-running failure to pass comprehensive border security legislation and offered differing explanations for why reforms have stalled.
On the H-1B visa program, candidates raised concerns about fraud, wage pressure, and job displacement, arguing reforms are needed to better protect American workers.
Candidates also offered varying views on whether immigration should be restricted from certain countries, generally framing their answers around national security, assimilation, and enforcement.
Foreign Policy And Iran
Foreign policy emerged as another area of contrast. Binkley said peace is achieved through strength and voiced support for President Donald Trump’s posture toward Iran. Bondar criticized what he described as political hypocrisy and argued for a foreign policy grounded in national interest.
National Debt And Federal Spending
Candidates were asked about the national debt and why Congress has struggled to address spending and deficits. Several argued that long-term fiscal reform will require structural changes rather than short-term budget negotiations.
ICE Enforcement And Federal Authority
Candidates were asked about Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in Minnesota and whether federal funds should be withheld from jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration law.
Congressional Term Limits
Candidates expressed support for congressional term limits, though their preferred caps varied. Several offered personal term-limit commitments if elected.
Closing Statements
Closing statements emphasized leadership, personal motivation for public service, and representation of the district. Multiple candidates referenced faith and argued the district should be represented by someone who understands local priorities.
Sponsors
The forum was supported by multiple sponsors, including American Jewish Conservatives, Basin Ventures, Elle Cole Interiors, and Rigney Financial Services.
Looking Ahead
Separately, American Jewish Conservatives is hosting a February 15 debate in the Republican primary race for Texas Agriculture Commissioner, featuring incumbent Sid Miller and challenger Nate Sheets. The Dallas Express will participate as a sponsor and co-moderator. Additional details and ticket information are available here: https://ajc.ticketspice.com/texasagdebate
