Meet Mark
"I’m less concerned with whether the glass is half-full or empty and more focused on the gap between the current reality and future potential. When I see a problem, I immediately pivot to analysis and solution-building."
A Sixth Generation Texan Ready to Restore Common Sense
Texas roots. West Point grit. A lifetime of results.
Mark Sims isn’t a career politician—he’s a problem solver. A 6th-generation Texan born into a Cleburne “railroad” family, Mark learned the value of a hard day’s work and the importance of constitutional principles before he was old enough to vote. From dropping Goldwater pamphlets at age seven to graduating at the top of his class in Sweetwater while working a 40-hour week, Mark’s journey has been defined by three things: faith, hard work and fortitude.
A Distinguished Record of Service
Mark’s commitment to leadership took him from the red dirt and blowing tumble weeds of West Texas to the Plain of the United States Military Academy at West Point. Elected by his peers as Chairman of the Cadet Honor Committee during one of the Academy’s most challenging eras, Mark proved early on that integrity isn’t just a word—it’s the actions you take every day.
Upon graduation in 1979, Mark chose the toughest path available: Infantry. After earning his Airborne wings and Ranger tab, he volunteered for duty on the DMZ in South Korea, leading forward units in an area with the highest potential for conflict. Whether commanding the most combat-ready heavy weapons company in the 101st Airborne or serving an aide-de-camp, Mark’s military career was built on the “basics” of discipline, strategy, and putting the mission first.
An Innovator in the Private Sector
Transitioning to civilian life, Mark brought that same “mission-first” mentality to the American economy. As an industrial engineer and pioneer in supply chain management, he saw firsthand how broken processes and outdated technology held back American industry.
Mark didn’t just complain about the system; he innovated. He founded a software company that pioneered “digital twin” technology, delivering over $500 million in value to his first client by simplifying complex systems. As a thought leader and entrepreneur, he has spent decades navigating the corporate world, creating jobs, and delivering high-stakes results.
Why Mark is Entering the Arena
Mark and his wife, Kathy, live in the Texas Hill Country. Together, they are the proud parents of six children and thirteen grandchildren—nineteen “very good reasons” why Mark refuses to sit on the sidelines any longer.
Our political process is broken, and career politicians have failed to fix it. Mark Sims is a true outsider with a clear vision: to apply the same strategic discipline and technological innovation that succeeded both in the military and in the executive suite to our government.
Mark Sims isn’t running to be part of the system—he’s running to reform it. It’s time to Fix It, DAMMIT!.
“My faith is a compass for my service. I believe history shows that political leadership untethered to a strong moral foundation almost always ends disastrously for a society.”
-Mark
Statement of Faith
The Logic of a Creator
As an engineer and a man of science, I have spent my life studying complex systems. When I observe the majesty of Creation—from the intricacies of biological life to the mathematical probabilities of our existence—I see the hand of an omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient Creator. To conclude this complexity emerged randomly from primordial chaos defies both lived experience and the laws of Nature. Simply put: I do not have enough faith to be an atheist.
The Necessity of Spirituality
Because we were created with purpose, it is a natural response to seek an understanding of who our Creator is. Spirituality is not a hobby; it is a fundamental dimension of a fulfilled and productive human life. Understanding our proper relationship to God is the first step toward understanding our duty and responsibilities to our fellow man.
The Struggle for Truth and Free Will
I believe that life, truth, and every good thing we experience are gifts from God. However, we must also recognize that dark forces exist with the intent to distort Truth and inflict suffering. Each of us stands at the center of an ongoing struggle between Good and Evil. In this struggle, God has granted us Free Will—the power to tip the outcome toward what is just and right.
A Foundation of Grace
Spirituality often manifests in practice in the form of organized religion. In this regard, I believe Christianity stands alone. It is purely voluntary. It does not demand authoritarian submission to the State or ritualized individual works to bridge the gap between man and God. Instead, it is based on Grace: a sacrifice made by God of his only Son so that both Justice could be attained and His beloved Creation could be reconciled back to Him. I am a follower of Christ—because I believe in the power of that Grace and am desperately in need of it.
The User Manual for Mankind
I believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, consistent from beginning to end. It is, quite literally, the “User Manual” for a fulfilled life on this planet. When a person openly and honestly examines their life experience set in the context of its instructions, they will find that its truths are self-evident and its wisdom is timeless.
The Bedrock of Western Civilization
I believe the canonical texts of the Judeo-Christian tradition are the foundational source of modern law, morality, and the rules of democratic governance. These truths created what we know as Classical Liberal Western Civilization. Our concepts of individual rights, justice, and liberty do not come from the government; they are inspired and granted by God.
Faith, Shared but Never Forced
Finally, I believe that while it is appropriate and good to share one’s personal faith with others, faith must never be forced on anyone. True faith is a matter of the heart and the conscience. My commitment to my faith is matched only by my commitment to the religious liberty of every Texan.
Principles for a Representative Republic
The Jurisdictions of God and Government
I believe Christianity exclusively mandates the separation of Church and State. Following the command of Jesus Christ to “Render unto Caesar that which belongs to Caesar; and unto God that which is God’s,” I recognize distinct spheres of authority. While the State must never sanction or interfere in the free practice of religion, this prohibition in no way suggests that citizens of faith should retreat from actively participating in their own self-governance.
The Mandate: Protecting Inalienable Rights
The primary and fundamental purpose of our Republic is to guarantee our God-given, inalienable individual rights: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.
The Primacy of Life: There is no liberty and no pursuit of happiness without first having Life. It is the prerequisite for all other freedoms.
The Limited Scope of Federal Power
The federal government exists for a specific, enumerated set of collective duties:
- Maintaining a robust national defense.
- Conducting foreign affairs with other Nations.
- Facilitating fair and equitable commerce between the States and other Nations.
- Ensuring justice is fairly and impartially administered for all Citizens.
The Constitutional Shield
The U.S. Constitution was designed to protect Citizens from a powerful central government—not to create a monolithic bureaucratic state to control the citizenry. We must return to a structure that respects the sovereignty of the individual and the various States.
Calibration: The Search for Optimal Policy
The best public policy is rarely found at the extremes. I believe in a “test and calibrate” approach:
- Identify the Extremes: Quickly test the ends of the spectrum to find where the preferred choice lies.
- Apply Wisdom & Data: Use empirical data and history to identify “best practices” that best secure a society’s long-term future.
- Reject Coercion: We should nurture institutions and take public policy positions that reflect our highest aspirations without using state coercion against individuals who choose to live otherwise, provided they do not infringe on the rights of others.
Localization & Accountability
The best governmental structure is the one closest to home. Solving problems at the local level ensures that resources are marshalled with the highest possible level of transparency and direct accountability to the people.
Competence Over Expansion
It is in the interest of the government itself to do fewer things well than to routinely fail across a broad swath of activities. A government that overreaches and fails breeds the cynicism and distrust that leads to its own demise.
Respected Law vs. Hasty Legislation
Stability is the foundation of a civil society. It is better to deliberately craft reasonable laws that command wide respect than to hastily pass legislation that citizens feel inclined to circumvent or nullify.
The Right of Reorganization
The Union must remain a purposeful and voluntary compact. The right of States to secede and reorganize should Federal governance no longer serve the collective aspirations of its Citizens should not be abridged.
Engineering Process Integrity by Design
While we may disagree on the specifics of any given contemporary issue, we should persist until such time that we can agree on the outline of the best governing process. I believe the best approach is one in which every opportunity for corruption and malevolent influence has a priori been “engineered out” by design. Remove the opportunity for corruption at every step of the way!
Statement of Faith
The Logic of a Creator
As an engineer and a man of science, I have spent my life studying complex systems. When I observe the majesty of Creation—from the intricacies of biological life to the mathematical probabilities of our existence—I see the hand of an omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient Creator. To conclude this complexity emerged randomly from primordial chaos defies both lived experience and the laws of Nature. Simply put: I do not have enough faith to be an atheist.
i
The Necessity of Spirituality
Because we were created with purpose, it is a natural and necessary duty to seek an understanding of who our Creator is. Spirituality is not a hobby; it is a fundamental dimension of a fulfilled and productive human life. Understanding our proper relationship to God is the first step toward understanding our duty and responsibilities to our fellow man.
ii
The Struggle for Truth and Free Will
I believe that life, truth, and every good thing we experience are gifts from God. However, we must also recognize that dark forces exist with the intent to distort Truth and inflict suffering. Each of us stands at the center of an ongoing struggle between Good and Evil. In this struggle, God has granted us Free Will—the power to tip the outcome toward what is just and right.
iii
A Foundation of Grace
Spirituality often manifests in practice in the form of organized religion. In this regard, I believe Christianity stands alone. It is purely voluntary. It does not demand authoritarian submission to the State or ritualized individual works to bridge the gap between man and God. Instead, it is based on Grace: a sacrifice made by God of his only Son so that both Justice could be attained and His beloved Creation could be reconciled back to Him. I am a follower of Christ—because I believe in the power of that Grace and desperately in need of it.
iv
The User Manual for Mankind
I believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, consistent from beginning to end. It is, quite literally, the "User Manual" for a fulfilled life on this planet. When a person openly and honestly examines their life experience set in the context of its instructions, they will find that its truths are self-evident and its wisdom is timeless.
v
The Bedrock of Western Civilization
I believe the canonical texts of the Judeo-Christian tradition are the foundational source of modern law, morality, and the rules of democratic governance. These truths created what we know as Classical Liberal Western Civilization. Our concepts of individual rights, justice, and liberty do not come from the government; they are inspired and granted by God.
vi
Faith, Shared but Never Forced
Finally, I believe that while it is appropriate and good to share one’s personal faith with others, faith must never be forced on anyone. True faith is a matter of the heart and the conscience. My commitment to my faith is matched only by my commitment to the religious liberty of every Texan.
vii
Principles for a Representative Republic
“Government should do fewer things, but do them with excellence.”
I. The Jurisdictions of God and Government
I believe Christianity exclusively mandates the separation of Church and State. Following the command of Jesus Christ to “Render unto Caesar that which belongs to Caesar; and unto God that which is God’s,” I recognize distinct spheres of authority. While the State must never sanction or interfere in the free practice of religion, this prohibition in no way suggests that citizens of faith should retreat from actively participating in their own self-governance.
II. The Mandate: Protecting Inalienable Rights
The primary and fundamental purpose of our Republic is to guarantee our God-given, inalienable individual rights: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.
* The Primacy of Life: There is no liberty and no pursuit of happiness without first having Life. It is the prerequisite for all other freedoms.
III. The Limited Scope of Federal Power
The federal government exists for a specific, enumerated set of collective duties:
- Maintaining a robust national defense.
- Conducting foreign affairs with other nations.
- Facilitating fair and equitable commerce between the States and other Nations.
- Ensuring justice is fairly and impartially administered for all Citizens.
IV. The Constitutional Shield
The U.S. Constitution was designed to protect Citizens from a powerful central government—not to create a monolithic bureaucratic state to control the citizenry. We must return to a structure that respects the sovereignty of the individual and the various States.
V. Calibration: The Search for Optimal Policy
The best public policy is rarely found at the extremes. I believe in a “test and calibrate” approach:
- Identify the Extremes: Quickly test the ends of the spectrum to find where the preferred choice lies.
- Apply Wisdom & Data: Use empirical data and history to identify “best practices” that best secure a society’s long-term future.
- Reject Coercion: We should nurture institutions and take public policy positions that reflect our highest aspirations without using state coercion against individuals who choose to live otherwise, provided they do not infringe on the rights of others.
VI. Localization & Accountability
The best governmental structure is the one closest to home. Solving problems at the local level ensures that resources are marshalled with the highest possible level of transparency and direct accountability to the people.
VII. Competence Over Expansion
It is in the interest of the government itself to do fewer things well than to routinely fail across a broad swath of activities. A government that overreaches and fails breeds the cynicism and distrust that leads to its own demise.
VIII. Respected Law vs. Hasty Legislation
Stability is the foundation of a civil society. It is better to deliberately craft reasonable laws that command wide respect than to hastily pass legislation that citizens feel inclined to circumvent or nullify.
IX. The Right of Reorganization
The Union must remain a purposeful and voluntary compact. The right of States to secede and reorganize should federal governance no longer serve the collective aspirations of its Citizens should not be abridged.
X. Engineering Process Integrity by Design
While we may disagree on the specifics of any given contemporary issue, we should persist until such time that we can agree on the outline of the best governing process. I believe the best approach is one in which every opportunity for corruption and malevolent influence has a priori been “engineered out” by design. Remove temptation from corruption every step of the way!