Received a slick, double-sided political flyer from Bius yesterday. Heck, it doesn't even state for what district he is running. Just, Vote for me for Congress.
Who the heck is financing this perennial political loser?

Did he throw anything in there about being anti-Sharia law? Because I hear it's a hot topic nowadays.

At this point I think I'm only going to vote for candidates that don't spam text me.

I've done business of sorts with Bius the past few years. Know him a little through that process. Seems like a decent guy and is pretty easy to deal with in a business atmosphere. Probably has my vote as his published policies align with mine (as well as the other candidates, they all seem to be the same). So everything else being equal, the fact my business dealings with him have gone smoothly, puts him over the top for my vote.

Ag97 said:

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I've done business of sorts with Bius the past few years. Know him a little through that process. Seems like a decent guy and is pretty easy to deal with in a business atmosphere. Probably has my vote as his published policies align with mine (as well as the other candidates, they all seem to be the same). So everything else being equal, the fact my business dealings with him have gone smoothly, puts him over the top for my vote.

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In what congressional district is he running?

I'll save you the trouble - vote for ABSOLUTELY ANYONE EXCEPT HIM.

As a native of Huntsville, and someone whose family has been actively involved in the Republican Party in Walker County for decades, my family has been unfortunate enough to have been involved and indirectly involved in business dealings with Ben for over 30 years.

This is about the 87th time he has run for office, and there is a reason he has never won.

Just a sampling of his character - he bought land adjacent to Elkins Lake to develop into a new subdivision and began to clear the land without acquiring the necessary permits. His "developments" (without permits, mind you) caused a whole street of homes in Elkins Lake that backed up to the land he was clearing to flood and receive damage from mud that slid downhill into their backyards. THEN, he attempted to force the home owners to sign legal documents that he was not at fault. In turn, they are suing him for damages.

I would literally rather set my ballot on fire than vote for him.

He is self-financing. I guarantee you.

He has done so ever since he formed his first "exploratory committee" the first time he ran in the early 2000s.

That's interesting info. I have a Huntsville address but not in District 17. I'm in District 8. We got a Christmas card from the Bius Campaign one yr but I think he was running for State Legislature at that time. I believe his wife owns Kim's Nursery on Lake Road … does that sound right to you?

Cmon man, it took a 5 second google to figure out the Congressional District.

That's him (and her). They are turning it into an event space.

I don't know how long you have been in Huntsville, but she and her former husband used to own Stewart's Nursery out on 19.

I second your sentiments. Some of his business dealings have been shady in my opinion.

Vote for Ben Bankas for Congress!

All of his opinions are in the public record. You just can't post then on F16 because the obscenity filter.

Been in the area a little under 4 yrs . Love it.

Madison/Walker Co here. And then there's this little jewel about ol' Ben.

"Of the alleged regulation violations, the most serious include pilots operating the aircraft without passing competency checks or instrument proficiency checks required under FAA regulations. The complaint also alleges there were instances in which Bius illegally flew the plane himself."

The article:
https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/federal-action-filed-against-aircraft-operator-sham-dry-lease-scheme

And what a weird ass shaped district, it goes over on the west side of Austin.

When I saw this thread, I skimmed it for your handle right away because I knew you.had all the deets on this snake.

Anti-taxxer said:

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He is self-financing. I guarantee you.

He has done so ever since he formed his first "exploratory committee" the first time he ran in the early 2000s.

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I did a little research to see why his name sounded so familiar.

His first campaign was in 1996 for the old Charlie Wilson seat. Lost the primary, failed to make the primary behind...Brian Babin! The eventual nominee was a lady named Donna Peterson who lost the general to Democrat Jim Turner.

My uncle worked for Donna's campaign. She was a West Point grad, IIRC.

But to your point, he has run for almost every vacant position that's been available since that time.

One Louder said:

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When I saw this thread, I skimmed it for your handle right away because I knew you.had all the deets on this snake.

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lol I'm surprised you couldn't hear me banging away on my laptop.

Ben and Kat Wall should have donated all of their campaign funds to food shelters. They would have made much more of an impact than their multiple failed election campaigns.

You just gotta win once and then you're in the club.

Brittany Black is running for state rep in McKinney. She fails to mention she's a democrat in her ads and just acts like she's a huge friend of public education.

I had Walker County jury duty today and the case was the civil suit of the 5 Elkins Lake residents vs Bias. I got my " almost automatic" Engineers release from Jury duty. I'm now 12 for 12 in not being picked . The guy next to me knew both Bias and some of the plaintiffs and he told the lawyers when questioned that he didn't want to be put in the middle of two parties he knew. I told him on break that his answer probably guaranteed that he'd be picked . I was right. Judge said the trial could last a week or more.

The defense lawyer claimed in the jury selection process that Bius had all required permits but that the city of Huntsville refused to approve his erosion and sedimentation plans .

This incident happened in May 2024. 27" of rain over 3 days . Same flood that flooded my house in Wildwood Shores.

If I were to bet on the outcome I'd bet on Bius' side because his lawyer seemed sharper and maybe a little more on top of the case but it always comes down to the particulars . Sounded to me like City of Huntsville Engineer may have some uncomfortable moments in this trial in their near future .

Any relation to Len Bias?

You wouldn't think so from looking at Ben. He is pretty tall tho.

Not to get too off-topic, but the city of Huntsville needs to stop rubber stamping building permits out in Elkins, period.

In the last few years, two "lots" with ditches on my parents' street had homes built on them. Now the entire street floods any time there is any more than a smattering of rain.

Doesn't change the fact that Ben lacks a moral compass.

I'm not saying he has or doesn't have a moral compass at all. Don't know him and know only the basic concepts about the case that I heard this morning . Just thought it interesting that this specific case came up on here and then it comes up just a few weeks later in this way.

I will say this , if I needed a lawyer for something in Walker County Bennie Rush would be on my call list . Seemed good. That was Bias' lawyer. He's also an Ag.

Bennie Rush is amazing. He's a great man and a great attorney.

That was my read . Good to have it confirmed.

Bennie Rush is a great attorney.

As far as Ben Bius he cares about 1 thing only and that's himself.

halfastros81 said:

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I had Walker County jury duty today and the case was the civil suit of the 5 Elkins Lake residents vs Bias. I got my " almost automatic" Engineers release from Jury duty. I'm now 12 for 12 in not being picked . The guy next to me knew both Bias and some of the plaintiffs and he told the lawyers when questioned that he didn't want to be put in the middle of two parties he knew. I told him on break that his answer probably guaranteed that he'd be picked . I was right. Judge said the trial could last a week or more.

The defense lawyer claimed in the jury selection process that Bius had all required permits but that the city of Huntsville refused to approve his erosion and sedimentation plans .

This incident happened in May 2024. 27" of rain over 3 days . Same flood that flooded my house in Wildwood Shores.

If I were to bet on the outcome I'd bet on Bius' side because his lawyer seemed sharper and maybe a little more on top of the case but it always comes down to the particulars . Sounded to me like City of Huntsville Engineer may have some uncomfortable moments in this trial in their near future .

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My parents' house in Wildwood Shores was also flooded then. So many homes flooded those days.

Anti-taxxer said:

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My uncle worked for Donna's campaign. She was a West Point grad, IIRC.

But to your point, he has run for almost every vacant position that's been available since that time.

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Yes she was a West Point graduate, later a helicopter pilot, had quite a resume actually. I voted for her (I think she ran more than once but could be mistaken). She ran against Charlie Wilson who was a **** ball, I knew one of the local girls he was banging.

Ben and his brothers grew up near me. Don't know much about him, he is not in my district. I know he is a pilot and flies a jet, I think it is his own.

25-30 houses flooded in WWS and many more with boat slip, deck , and bulkhead damage in that flood. Nasty event that I hope never gets repeated. Hope your folks have recovered well. Seems pretty much back to normal for the most part now.

halfastros81 said:

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25-30 houses flooded in WWS and many more with boat slip, deck , and bulkhead damage in that flood. Nasty event that I hope never gets repeated. Hope your folks have recovered well. Seems pretty much back to normal for the most part now.

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They have, but wont be going back to Wildwood Shores. Rebuilt the house, but have it on the market now. Mom says she'll never be able to live on the water again. As fast as the lake water rose and got into the house still gives her nightmares to this day.