The winners for each party in the March primaries will determine which candidates will be on the ballot in the November general election. The winner of the Democratic primary for District 15 will face Republican George Brian Vachris in the general election, who is running unopposed in the Republican primary.
Candidate responses may have been lightly edited for length and clarity. For more information about voting in Harris County, click here.
*Indicates incumbent
Molly Cook
Experience: I am an emergency room nurse, community organizer with Stop TxDOT I-45, and lifelong Houston-area resident. I have a masters degree in public health with a focus in health policy from Johns Hopkins.
Occupation: emergency room nurse
Website: www.mollyfortexas.com
Contact information: 713-502-4932
John Whitmire*Experience: 10 years in the Texas House, 38 years in the Texas Senate
Occupation: State senator
Website: www.johnwhitmire.com
QUESTIONS
Q: Why are you running for Texas Senate District 15?
Cook: I am running for Texas Senate District 15 to serve the people of the district and across Texas with fresh perspective, singular focus, public health expertise, my value of environmental justice and my organizing skills. My opponent will be distracted in 2023 by his run for Houston mayor, and he plans to leave the seat vacant in the middle of the term. I am ready to serve the full four years.
Whitmire: I am running to continue to be the voice for SD 15 constituents and all Texans. Public Service is a calling, and it has been my calling for decades. I would like to continue to use my seniority, experience, and knowledge to advocate for good policies that will make our lives better.
Q: What do you view as some of the most pressing needs facing neighborhoods in District 15 right now?
Cook: Everything feels and is pressing. At people’s doors we hear about voting rights, flooding, schools, costs of living, reproductive rights, public safety and more. I am ready and excited to bring a public health lens and my organizing background to engage and empower the district and shape change in every issue facing the communities in my district and across the state.
Whitmire: Public safety: The two years we have seen a spike in crime, from break-ins to robbery to shootings. I will continue to work with law enforcement and the community on finding solutions and funding for crime prevention. Health care: Texas continues to lead the way on uninsured residents. Medicaid expansion will alleviate our residents which many of them have been more impacted with COVID[-19]. Flooding: SD 15 homes were victims of [Hurricane] Harvey. We must put more resources in drainage maintenance and build another reservoir.
Q: With the district changing pretty significantly after redistricting, how would you reach out to both new and old communities in the district and make yourself accessible?
Cook: We are already making some serious headway on outreach by knocking on folks’ doors leading up to the primary. We will continue that work, and we will continue to use digital and social media and phone banking to reach the community in their preferred languages. While campaigning, I have an open door policy, and that will remain in place if I am elected to serve in the Senate.
Whitmire: I will continue to focus on constituent services and ensure all our communities are served. My office is always open to anyone who would like to meet with me and share their concerns.
Q: If elected, what sorts of criminal justice reforms would you advocate for in the 2023 legislative session?
Cook: I will advocate for criminal justice reforms that prioritize improving public health/safety outcomes like protecting folks with intellectual disabilities, increasing funding for mental health services, rais[ing] the age, community reinvestment funds and decriminalizing cannabis.
Whitmire: Bail reform, expansion of treatment and rehabilitation programs
