Vote Like a Texan | Redistricting, Service, and Texas’ Future: Caitlin Rourk on Her Run for CD-10

In this episode of Vote Like a Texan, host Justin McKenzie sits down with Texas Congressional District 10 candidate Caitlin Rourk to talk about her surprise district switch, the impact of state and federal redistricting, her military service background, and what voters across Travis County, Brazos County, Austin, College Station, and rural Texas are telling her they care about most. Caitlin opens up about running a grassroots, people-powered campaign; the economic pressures Texans are facing; the state of public schools; voter turnout challenges; and why she believes CD-10 is the right place for her to serve. If you're a Texas voter, policymaker, strategist, or political observer—this conversation dives deep into Texas politics, redistricting, civic engagement, and the 2026 election cycle. Learn more about Caitlin Rourk: Website: https://www.CaitlinRourk.com Volunteer, donate, or explore her policy platform. CHAPTERS 00:00 – Welcome to Vote Like a Texan 00:18 – Caitlin Rourk’s big announcement: Running in TX-10 01:00 – Why switching districts made sense 02:40 – What redistricting changed for Texas candidates 03:55 – The importance of running where you live 04:30 – Caitlin’s military + service background 06:10 – How service shaped her decision to run 07:15 – What makes Texas CD-10 unique 08:14 – What voters in Texas are most concerned about 09:40 – Economic pressures: housing, childcare, insurance 10:35 – Public school concerns across Texas 11:15 – Why voter turnout matters more than ever 12:50 – How to help educate and mobilize voters 14:20 – Relational organizing and community-based action 15:55 – Why elections feel “hopeless” to some—and how to change that 17:08 – Where to find Caitlin Rourk online 18:05 – Closing remarks