A seventh generation Texan, Van Taylor is a family man, businessman, and decorated Iraq War Veteran. Growing up, Van earned the Eagle Scout rank from the future President George Bush.
After high school, Van attended Harvard College from which he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in history. After graduating college, Van volunteered to serve his country and received a commission in the United States Marine Corps.
He attended The Basic School, Infantry Officer Course, and graduated first in his class from Sniper Employment Officer Course. He completed Intelligence School as the Marine Honor Graduate and commanded First Marine Regiment’s Reconnaissance Platoon in Camp Pendleton, CA. After completing that assignment, he served as an intelligence officer for an artillery battalion. Van earned the Navy Achievement Medal for devising a quantitative combat power analysis system.
As a local, small businessman, I know firsthand that jobs come from the private sector – not big government. Eliminating and reducing red tape and federal bureaucracy is the first step to allowing our local business owners to invest in their businesses, expand, grow, and most importantly, hire even more employees. Texas, which leads the nation in jobs and economic opportunity, has established a blueprint for success and Washington can learn a lot from how we do things in Texas.