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Republican challenger Joseph Trahan is running against Democrat incumbent Molly Cook in the race for Texas Senate District 15 in the upcoming Nov. 5 election.
Some context
Texas Senate District 15 encompasses portions of the communities of Atascocita, Bellaire, Houston, Humble, Southside Place and West University Place, as well as unincorporated areas of north Harris County.
What you need to know
Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 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, click here.
*Indicates incumbent
What is your top priority if elected?
Public health. Whether we are fighting for abortion access, safer transportation or to fully fund our public schools, every policy decision we make should be data-driven and rooted in the goal of uplifting vulnerable communities and promoting health.
What is the biggest issue the district is currently facing and how will you address it?
Low voter turnout. Whether it is fully funding our schools, reducing gun violence or expanding Medicaid, the vision and values of Texas Senate District 15 will not be realized until we increase voter turnout and make changes to our statewide leadership.
How will you work to prioritize education funding?
Public schools serve every child, regardless of abilities, and therefore deserve the utmost support. I oppose school vouchers, book bans and the expansion of charter schools, emphasizing that public education policy in Texas should be evidence-based and centered around the voices of teachers and students.
How will you work to address flooding issues in your district?
I have worked for years to address the increase in flooding from irresponsible transportation infrastructure development. We must invest in flood resilient infrastructure at every level of government and place reasonable guardrails around new development to reduce and prevent flooding.
How will you work to address prolonged spans of elevated inflation?
While the Texas Senate cannot control interest rates or global inflationary forces, it can absolutely support Texans as they weather the effects of high inflation. We need to raise wages and put money directly in people’s pockets, crack down on corporate price-gouging and bring back defined benefit plans.
What is your top priority if elected?
End this criminal invasion at the border and fortify law enforcement to end this crime spree created by the woke agenda making Houston a quasi-sanctuary city.
What is the biggest issue the district is currently facing and how will you address it?
The district is very diverse with parts needing jobs programs for high school graduates to make a living wage, crime and drugs are common in certain districts harming our citizens and the illegal alien invasion is putting a strain on all city and community services throughout. We are a city …
How will you work to prioritize education funding?
Collaboration with state and business as they both need a workforce. The state needs it for tax revenue and business needs willing skilled workers. This automatically helps curtail crime as people have the self-respect of making a living with advancement opportunity. We all want this.
How will you work to address flooding issues in your district?
It’s more than flooding. It’s the comprehensive flood control of more than our district involving multiple counties, state and federal funds and completion of the Hurricane evacuation route the woke left worked so hard to stop on I-45 from downtown to Greenspoint connects. Stopping it was stupid and foolish…
How will you work to address prolonged spans of elevated inflation?
Jobs, jobs, jobs through education, job training and economic development. My incubator downtown was number one in Texas and number five in the nation for 20 years and we can have those all over SD 15 creating 10’s of thousands of innovative small businesses supplying local and national solutions to industry.
