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David Kirkland Biography
David Stringfellow Kirkland (born David Gilbert Kern, February 24, 1943) is a 2010 candidate for Governor of Texas with the Constitution Party. He is seeking to replace Rick Perry who’s term is expiring in January 2011. The term of office is 2011-2015.
Early years
Born in Abilene, Texas Kirkland is a resident of Williamson County, Texas. His father, Gilbert Kern, served in the US Army in the South Pacific during World War II and his ancestors can be traced directly to the American Revolution. Kirkland is a Member of the Son’s of the American Revolution and currently serves as Chaplain for the Alexander Hamilton Chapter in Williamson County.
Kirkland was adopted as a child, by Stringfellow “String” Kirkland, who had married David’s mother. He spent his childhood years in an Air Force family moving between bases in Fort Worth, Germany, France, Yuma, Arizona and Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Kirkland graduated from High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado and worked his way through college while attending Texas A&M from 1961-1966.
During the Vietnam conflict, he was drafted and served in the US Army (1966-1969) where Kirkland attended Basic Training, Platoon Leadership Course, Advanced Infantry Training, and Artillery Officer Candidate School and served as Executive Officer, and later Commanding Officer, of 23rd FASCOM HHC as well as Executive Officer of the 24th Infantry Division HHC. Kirkland was also Reforger Officer, 24th Division Headquarters during Reforger I.
Career
Following his military service, Kirkland began his career working as financial and personnel consultant in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Kirkland has over 39 years of experience as a tax preparer and substantial experience in representing clients in IRS audits.
In 1972, during an economic recession in Colorado, Kirkland relocated his family to Austin and began working for the Austin Fire Department. During his 27 years of service with the Fire Department he was assigned to Code Compliance and helped implement Fire Code in Austin; being the second city in the United States to adopt standard fire code to protect businesses and residents.
In 1980, Kirkland bought a farm near Walburg, Texas and was actively involved in both farming and ranching for many years.
Kirkland retired from the Fire Department in 1999.
Political career
Leander ISD School Board
Kirkland was elected twice to the Leander School Board serving from 1977 until 1983. Additionally, his wife Jean taught in 28 years in public schools in the Austin and Round Rock School Districts.
City of Austin
In 1991, Kirkland was a candidate for Mayor of Austin. Following that campaign, many of the issues which his campaign addressed became public policy. This includes: moving the new proposed away from Manor, TX; divorcing Brackenridge Hospital from Austin ownership.
Key Issues
While there are a host of issues which concern Texans, with regard to our State government, Kirkland is focusing primarily on three key issues in his campaign for Governor.
#1. Strengthen and clarify Individual Rights and Civil Liberties under the Texas Constitution.
#2. State’s sovereignty under the 10th Amendment to the United States Constitution.
#3. Meaningful campaign finance and lobbying reform in Texas putting people first.
Family
Kirkland is married to Jean Streger from Hamilton, Texas. They were married March 25th, 1967 near Aleman, Texas. They have two adult sons Matt and Eric and two grandchildren Alexander and Sarah.
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