As a 4th generation Texan, I love Texas. After graduation from UT’s business and law schools, I began working in San Antonio in 1976 clerking for the late John H. Wood, Jr., United States District Judge. Judge Wood was my legal mentor in San Antonio. He was assassinated by drug dealers on May 29, 1979, while I was studying in England. In his honor, I helped found the John H. Wood Charter School here in San Antonio that focuses on at-risk students to keep them out of the court system.

When my eldest son Fred was about 8, we toured the Alamo and showed him a picture of Micajah Autry, his great-great-great-great-grandfather (on his mother’s side) who came to Texas with Davey Crocket and died in the Alamo. Little Fred crawled up in one of the alcoves and was sitting there when a guard told him to get down. He replied, "My great, great, great, great granddaddy died here. I’ve got a right!" The guard said, "That’s good. But you still have to get down." Those of us in Texas of all races and creeds understand that freedom and liberty are not free but have been purchased for us by the blood of patriots, and we must ensure that our children’s children’s children have the same liberties that we enjoy to today. (Little Fred is now a Marine and stands 6’4’’)

The Texas traditions of individual property rights, autonomy and independence must be protected from a Congress that has run amuck. As General Counsel of the Justice Foundation for the past 10 years, I have fought for the principles of our Declaration of Independence and Constitution: life, limited government, free enterprise, parental rights and individual property rights. For example, we fought for Pecan farmers who were in danger of losing their farm because the government interfered with their water rights, and for children repeatedly assaulted in their schools.

As General Counsel of the Justice foundation, I also fought to defend Second Amendment Rights and helped reverse Federal Gun Regulations in the US Supreme Court. We at the Justice Foundation have also collected thousands of sworn testimonies of women hurt by their abortions, which have been used in courts and lesgislation.

The US Supreme Court referred to these heartbreaking Operation Outcry testimonies when they upheld Congress’ ban on the heinous partial birth procedure. Also, I am one of the Hosts and the Producer of the Justice Foundation's television program "Faces of Abortion" now seen in 125 nations that enables women to tell the truth about their abortion experience.

I earned my JD from The University of Texas and taught business law and international business law for 17 years including 11 years at Trinity University. While a professor and during my 10 years as general counsel of the Justice Foundation, I also had an active law practice focusing on libel law cases as well as serving as an expert witness in business law. Additionally, I was one of the founding professors of Regent University School of Law.  I am admitted to practice law in Texas and the US Supreme Court.

I graduated from The University of Texas in business concentrating in International Business. My interest in international business and international law took me to Oxford University for two years of post-doctoral study. I continued my law career after Oxford as corporate counsel for General Mills, where I worked in real estate and in Latin America (because I speak Spanish). 

While a professor of business law I served as president of the Southern Business Law Association and have written many articles on various business topics. With an understanding of some of the complexities of the business environment, I will better be able to fight for fiscal responsibility and free enterprise to create jobs. I believe in following our founding documents that limit the government from meddling in our personal lives and in the free flow of business so that our economy can stay globally strong.

My son Sergeant John Byron Trotter, after pulling bodies out of the rubble at the Pentagon on 9/11 as a member of the Old Guard, was killed defending our liberty in Iraq. I commend all the brave men and women in the military, particularly 1st Rock the 503, John Byron’s unit.

I spent many summers as a boy in Central America going to school with family friends. As a result I speak Spanish and look forward to providing bilingual constituent services to all of District 20. Since I spent such impressionable years in Central America and also studied during my college years in Mexico City and Madrid to improve my language skills, I enjoy not only good enchiladas, black beans, cheese, and paella but also the poetry of Miguel de Unamuno and Jose Marti and the work of Miguel de Cervantes.

I am a private pilot and love flying. I enjoy reading the fiction of Louis L’Amour and Clive Cussler and the non-fiction histories of Winston Churchill. I believe learning lessons from history including Biblical history is the best way to avoid repeating the dreadful mistakes of the past. As Jefferson said, "I tremble for my nation when I realize that God is just." One of my heroes is Abraham Lincoln and as he did, I seek to look to the Bible for guidance. As a follower of Jesus Christ, a licensed Baptist preacher, and a member of Cross Mountain Church, I desire to love God and my fellow man in all I do. Lincoln once said, "What I deal with is so vast that I cannot deal in malice with any man." Considering the issues facing this nation, we must deal with one another in love. Most of my life has been spent earning a living in order to raise my children and care for my family. I love babies and I love my 11 children. My wife of 29 years, Susan, died of ovarian cancer in 2001. We had 6 children and have one grandchild, the son of my warrior son John Byson. In 2003, I remarried to Leah and we have two preschoolers, Jasmine and David, who keep me young. Also Leah and I are adopting three Haitian children: Rachelle, Vagleine and Judson.

God has blessed me with a wonderful family, tremendous educational opportunities, and extraordinary work experiences. It is my desire to make all of that education and those experiences available to serve the people of the 20th Congressional District and the United States. God who gives us Life and Liberty expects us to serve one another, and I hope to be able to serve you in Congress.