Lana Centonze and Aaron Hermes are campaigning to represent residents of U.S. Congressional District 18 in the upcoming March 5 Republican primary election. Texas's 18th Congressional District includes parts of Houston and the surrounding area. The incumbent is Democrat Sheila Jackson Lee.

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, visit www.harrisvotes.com.







Lana Centonze



Experience: 12 years of experience within the federal government as a federal officer


Occupation: Federal law enforcement officer




Contact Information: 346-648-0533





Why are you running for this position?



I am running for this position because I love America and would like my children to grow up in the America I grew up in. I believe America is worth fighting for.



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



The biggest challanges facing this district is infrastructure issues, better housing for the community members, investing in the small businesses in the community which helps creating a thriving economy.



What are your top priorities regarding the nation’s economy?



We need to get back to a thriving economy. That means we need to invest in small businesses since small businesses help the community to thrive. Our economy is suffering, so that means families are suffering. So in order to get out of that hole we need to invest ...



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



I believe health care is important and lowering the cost of it is also important. My goal is to lower health care costs so it can become affordable to everyone.



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



Building productive relationships are extremely important because transparency is necessary. I also believe connecting with community churches and businesses, letting them know that I am for them and I support them, is extremely important.












Aaron Hermes



Experience: Human rights advocate; lived through 9/11 in NYC; born and raised Texan; top-tier problem solver


Occupation: Artist and engineer


Candidate Website: https://votehermes.com


Contact Information: 832-225-2825





Why are you running for this position?



I deeply care about the community, issues of our time and our future. I’m running on actual solutions I believe I can obtain bipartisan support for. In this time of division, I want to unite the country and the Congress around human rights and the U.S. Constitution as fundamental baselines...



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



Well, it’s taxes, inflation, a border crisis, human trafficking, election integrity, prison reform and much more challenging us today. I would start with eliminating the income tax for the bottom 50% of wage earners making under roughly $100K, who only contribute 3% to overall revenue. I would also fight in...



What are your top priorities regarding the nation’s economy?



Cutting the annual budget is mandatory. So is solving the impending Social Security crisis. I believe my income tax plan mentioned above would actually be a boon to the economy and increase tax revenue as well. That would be my top priority in terms of the economy, because eliminating those...



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



By limiting the enormous profits built into the “Health Industry” system that go straight to insurance companies and private hands, instead of health care workers and medicine makers, we could do a lot to lower costs and increase access. We need a health care system that's compassionate to all...



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



A big reason I’m running on a human rights platform. I believe this is a time of right vs. wrong, not right vs. left. As an artist and visionary, I’m a bridge builder, and Congress is in desperate need of some vision right now. I'm achieving unification by re-establishing human...