Q&A: Meet the Democratic primary candidates for Texas House District 130

Why are you running for this position?

As a veteran, I believe it is my civic duty to continue to serve my country by addressing my community's needs. I am concerned about the representation of Texans and whether current legislators in Austin understand the diverse perspectives and issues challenging our citizens today.

What are the biggest challenges facing the district, and how would you address them if elected?

Modernizing our infrastructure to meet the needs of our growing district by soliciting funds from the state to demand safer thruways that are environmentally conscious and people centric.

What changes would you like to see made to the state's school finance system, if any?

It is imperative that the Legislature prioritize increasing teacher and staff salaries, frequent COLA adjustments for retired educators, as well as adding critically needed funding for public schools by opposing any taxpayer money directed toward private schools.

How would you ensure your constituents have access to the health care services they need?

Legislators must foster relationships with medical providers and organizations to improve outreach to underserved populations by creating more infrastructure and education. Integrating AI into telehealth services promises to increase access to people by improving disease diagnosis, treatment selection, and clinical laboratory testing, thereby reducing patient burdens and provider costs.

How would you build productive relationships across districts and party lines?

It is important to find common ground on issues that affect our city’s residents. To dissolve this illusion of division, we must reach out to one another and have a civil conversation. As legislators, we must lead by example, respectfully and dutifully, to honor the demands of our constituents.

Why are you running for this position?

I am running to restore reproductive freedom. My opponent is the author of the Heartbeat Act, an abortion law that provides no exception for rape or incest. He went unchallenged last election cycle, and I am running to hold him accountable and give my community a choice on the ballot.

What are the biggest challenges facing the district, and how would you address them if elected?

We need an economy that works for everyone, and tackling income inequality is essential. I would protect unions and the right to collectively bargain, invest in rural broadband, and promote sales tax reform. As a student, my own research project shows these things are correlated with income inequality.

What changes would you like to see made to the state's school finance system, if any?

I would never support the voucher scam, as it threatens to take taxpayer money away from already underfunded public schools and give it to private schools. There is a teacher shortage because they are struggling to put food on the table. Texas needs to value our teachers.

How would you ensure your constituents have access to the health care services they need?

I want to expand Medicaid in Texas to address our high uninsured rate, and fight price gouging, so that health care is more affordable. I commend Rep. Talarico and the Legislature for capping insulin prices. Health care access and affordability is a bipartisan issue, and a human right.

How would you build productive relationships across districts and party lines?

I view it as my responsibility to have good-faith discussions with all representatives so that their constituents may have a voice—no matter their party identification or ideology. I am very comfortable having political conversations, even for sensitive topics like abortion rights.