Republican challenger Claudio Gutierrez is running against Democratic incumbent Jolanda Jones in the race for Texas House District 147 in the Nov. 5 election.
The details
Jones was first elected in 2022 after winning a six-way Democratic primary election and runoff election. She did not face a Republican opponent in the general election. Gutierrez is an engineer who runs his own project management firm.
District 147 covers eastern parts of Montrose and the Washington corridor as well as parts of Midtown and Downtown Houston, the Third Ward and Southeast Houston. State representatives in Texas serve two-year terms.
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
Claudio Gutierrez
Experience:
Have owned a project management firm for almost a decade, tackling difficult problems one project at a time; former precinct chair for Precinct 0030
Occupation:
Engineer
Candidate Website:
https://claudio4texas.com
Contact Information:
832-305-5374
Why are you running for election to District 147?
I have seen overall conditions in the district go downhill over recent years, including a sharp rise in crime (multiple police sirens per day everyday in Midtown); deteriorating infrastructure (there are better streets in Nicaragua where I was born than in many parts of Houston); I want to make sure ...
If elected, what would your top priorities be during the 2025 legislative session?
I want to fight for appropriations that will benefit the district; remove any obstacles to hiring and creating businesses; a secure border
What, if anything, do you believe the Texas Legislature should work on with regards to public school funding?
Revisit public funds for universities sitting on multibillion dollar endowments that don't grow the sizes of their freshman classes. [Texas A&M University], [University of Texas], [University of Houston] ... their tuition has increased threefold, freshman classes haven't grown threefold. ... If they don't start using their endowments, then they should stop receiving public funds. College education is a …
What, if anything, should the Legislature do to make housing more affordable in Houston?
Reduce property taxes; incentivize affordable housing by reducing taxes for developers that include a certain percentage of affordable construction in their project; encourage mixed-use developments
Jolanda Jones*
Experience:
Former at-large Houston City Council member, former Houston ISD trustee
Occupation:
Texas state representative, District 147, attorney
Candidate Website:
https://www.jolandajones.com
Contact Information:
832-426-4776
Why are you running for election to District 147?
MAGA Republicans in charge have broken health care and public education, cut funding for public safety, made corporations and campaign contributors wealthier at our expense, tried to rewrite Black history and tear apart LGBTQ+ families—and they can’t even keep the lights on when it freezes. I’m fighting back.
If elected, what would your top priorities be during the 2025 legislative session?
As the mother of a Black son and aunt of Black nephews, police reform is a very important issue I’ve been fighting for, for over three decades. Also, Texas must expand Medicaid, restoring health insurance for millions of Texans. And I will fight to get the [Texas Education Agency] out of HISD.
What, if anything, do you believe the Texas Legislature should work on with regards to public school funding?
The constitution and state statutes require Texas to fully fund public education. We should ensure every child has a free, quality public education. I vehemently oppose private school vouchers and fought successfully to stop Gov. [Greg] Abbott’s voucher scam in past sessions. Our public taxes should not pay for private schools.
What, if anything, should the legislature do to make housing more affordable in Houston?
I chaired [Houston] City Council’s Housing Committee, working with [the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development] to increase affordable housing. I support tax breaks for companies building affordable housing and financial assistance to property owners offering affordable housing to veterans and disadvantaged communities. We must repeal state policies allowing landlords to discriminate against renters with housing vouchers.
