Today, Cole Hefner announced he is running for State Representative in House District 5, which includes Camp, Morris, Rains, Smith (part), Titus, and Wood counties.

''After marrying my wife, Kerri, and starting a family, I began to take notice of the moral decay of this great country. Our freedoms are being attacked from every direction," Hefner said. "I look at the America I was raised in, compared to the America of today, and am fearful for my children's future. What will they be forced to endure? I want to be able to tell my children I did all I could to preserve your future."

''My top priorities are to secure and defend our border, zero-based budgeting to cut waste and fraud from the state's budget, and to protect our most innocent - unborn babies,'' Hefner said.

Born and raised in the district, Hefner believes the district would be best served by sending a representative that continues Representative Hughes' philosophy of conservative principles rooted in Christian faith.

"The time is now," Hefner said. "We must stand for what is right and true. We must secure our freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to bear arms. We must end the brutal murders of the unborn. We must protect our rights for Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."