Local · Trusted · Free
The Morning Impact — your neighborhood's most important stories, delivered every morning.
Candidates Gene Wu and Helen Zhou will face off during the Nov. 3 general election to represent Texas House District 137.
Some background
Texas House of Representatives District 137 includes parts of southwest Houston, including Sharpstown, Gulfton and parts of Alief.
Texas House District 137 is currently represented by Democrat Gene Wu, who has held the seat since 2013.
Zhou won the Republican nomination for House District 137 in March, defeating fellow Republican Robert McKenzie with nearly 69% of the vote. She will face Wu in the November general election.
Something to note
Candidates were asked to limit their responses to 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid criticizing their opponent. Responses may have been edited for length to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
Former Harris County Prosecutor and Texas State Representative of HD 137 since 2012
What would your top priorities be if re-elected?
My top priorities include affordability and creating an economy that works for all working families, fighting for public education, opposing gerrymandering, and defending democracy.
What are the biggest challenges facing this district?
The biggest challenges include immigration enforcement, environmental impacts, and access to education and public transportation. We need to focus on the improvement of social determinants of health that would uplift Gulfton and surrounding neighborhoods.
What projects are most important for the legislature to focus on for the future of Texas?
I will continue to focus on affordability for all Texans which includes cost of living, fair wages, property taxes, fair rent, medical and homeowners insurance costs.
How will you ensure your constituents receive the appropriate aid after natural disasters?
During natural disasters our office shares information via email to district constituents to get access to heating and cooling shelters, notice of food distribution sites, and notice of heat advisories. Our office partners with local organizations to ensure they have supplies and services available to our community.
What do you see as the greatest challenge for District 137 in the next 5 years?
Some of the greatest challenges include attacks on the immigrant community, access to high-quality education, and services to support residents’ needs.
Why are you running for this position?
I’m running because District 137 has some of Houston’s highest crime rates and lowest incomes. As an immigrant, I believe people come to America seeking freedom, opportunity and a better life. I want to focus on community safety, stronger enforcement, skilled-trades training and creating opportunities for residents to earn good incomes.
What would your top priorities be if elected?
My top priorities are crime, job training and infrastructure. We need to address crime directly while expanding skilled-trades training for high school students and adults. I also want to pursue a vocational high school in Southwest Houston. Finally, I’ll focus on roads, flood control, electrical infrastructure and safe drinking water.
What are the biggest challenges facing District 137?
The biggest challenge is opportunity. People want good-paying jobs, but many lack the skills needed to obtain them. We need to strengthen education and English proficiency while expanding vocational and skilled-trades training. Not every student is college-bound, and we should make sure those students leave high school with skills that lead to good careers.
How will you ensure constituents receive appropriate aid after natural disasters?
We need to think beyond disaster relief and pursue comprehensive flood control. Federal assistance is important, but constantly rebuilding after floods is not a long-term solution. Texas should invest in engineering solutions that reduce flooding, lower insurance costs and protect communities. Preventing property destruction is better than repeatedly paying for recovery.
What do you see as the greatest challenge for District 137 in the next five years?
The greatest challenge is changing the mindset that opportunity comes through government assistance. District 137 needs to take advantage of available education and job-training opportunities, while government addresses crime and infrastructure. We need to be more open-minded and willing to pursue new solutions, particularly for flooding, skilled jobs and economic opportunity.
