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.
Mike May
Experience:
petroleum engineering, petrophysics, geology, geophysics, well drilling, business ownership, 25 years in oil and gas
Occupation:
licensed professional engineer
Candidate Website:
https://www.mayforstaterep.com
Why are you running to represent Texas House District 135?
I love the United States of America! I want to protect our families, our children, our country and our freedom.
What are the biggest challenges facing District 135, and how would you address those if elected?
My priorities are crime, border security, inflation and lowering taxes.
What changes would you like to see made to the state’s school finance system, if any?
Candidate did not respond as of press time
How would you ensure your constituents have access to the health care services they need?
Candidate did not respond as of press time
What are your top priorities regarding criminal justice reform?
I oppose releasing people who are arrested for violent crimes on $0 personal bonds.
Jon Rosenthal (incumbent)
Experience:
incumbent seeking third term, LSG Freshman of the Year (2019), mechanical engineer by trade
Occupation:
mechanical engineer
Candidate Website:
https://www.jonrosenthaltx.com
Contact Information:
512-463-0722
Why are you running to represent Texas House District 135?
I’m honored and humbled to represent HD135, and I will continue to advocate for public education, access to health care and equity justice. I will always fight against bigotry and discrimination in all forms. And it’s my long-term goal to dismantle the STAAR test, by removing testing from school finance.
What are the biggest challenges facing District 135, and how would you address those if elected?
In 2019, our biggest challenges were increasing access to health care (especially for women!) and updating the school finance system to put more state funding into our public schools. Now, we are in the fight for public safety, voting rights, bodily autonomy, libraries(!)—plus fixing our electric grid!
What changes would you like to see made to the state’s school finance system, if any?
We should close the corporate property tax loophole to increase public education revenue, and then we must ensure that all monies for public education stay in public education. We can be more efficient by replacing the STAAR test with more valid measurements to promote positive student outcomes.
How would you ensure your constituents have access to the health care services they need?
We must accept the Medicaid expansion for $10 billion per year to ease health care costs. Then we should use budget money to help provide access to those most in need. We should repeal the abortion ban and reinstate family planning services to help people get health care at lower cost.
What are your top priorities regarding criminal justice reform?
Reforms for police policy on the street, and also courts and prisons. We should outlaw for-profit prisons to end monetary incentives to incarcerate people. We should legalize cannabis and exonerate those incarcerated for low-level nonviolent possession. Prisons should focus on rehabilitation, and workforce policy should encourage reintegration.
