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Two candidates are running for Texas's U.S. House District 7 representative in the Nov. 8 midterm election: Democratic incumbent Lizzie Fletcher and Republican Johnny Teague.
Candidates were asked to keep responses under 75 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. For more information about voting in Harris County, visit www.harrisvotes.com.
What inspired you to run for this office, and what qualifications do you possess?
I have had the honor and privilege of representing Texas’ 7th Congressional District since January 2019. I remain committed to working to ensure that our community’s core values—inclusion, innovation, and collaboration—result in progress, equality, and opportunity for all Americans. I have brought my experience, skills, and passion to Washington, D.C. to fight for all the people in our district and for all Americans, delivering meaningful results for our community and country.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the district today, and how would you tackle it?
I have worked as a partner with the city [of Houston], [Harris] County, agencies, and elected leaders, to address our biggest challenges, including improving our infrastructure, focusing on flooding and transportation; developing our economy; maintaining our leadership as the energy capital of the world; and building for our future. I have a long track record of working collaboratively and creatively to solve problems.
What are the biggest challenges now facing residents in District 7, and how do you plan to address them?
Residents of Congressional District Seven face many challenges—from protecting our homes and families to protecting our fundamental rights. I will continue to advocate for the residents of the district, as I have for years, to build consensus and develop common-sense solutions to problems and at the same time I will continue to fight for their rights, dignity, and equality.
What inspired you to run for this office, and what qualifications do you possess?
My driving force is found in the Declaration of Independence—“Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." Decisions are being made for us in Washington without our consent. When we object, the only response are form letters from our representatives. The key word is representative. Those who go to Washington are to represent us up there, not represent Washington down here. I seek to restore that.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the district today, and how would you tackle it?
The biggest challenge we face is that our rights are in danger. Freedom of Speech is in jeopardy both by social media, but more because people are unwilling to listen to the other side. We should be able to dialogue freely as Americans and still be one when we disagree. Parental rights are in jeopardy in our schools. When one right is taken, the others will soon fall. I will defend our Bill of Rights.
What are the biggest challenges now facing residents in District 7, and how do you plan to address them?
The biggest challenges in District 7—crime. We must support law enforcement and ensure that the offenders are kept off the streets. Reverse the destructive move from oil and gas; we need oil and gas, no other replacement is viable. When we move from oil and gas, we actually increase harm to the environment, and raise prices so that many in our community have to choose between electricity and food.
