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This year’s Democratic primaries include two candidates for Texas' 9th Congressional District.
Community Impact Newspaper asked the candidates for their thoughts about the most pressing issues facing the district. Early voting runs Feb. 18-28, and election day is March 3.
Community Impact Newspaper only publishes candidate Q&A's for contested races.
In this Q&A, candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name. Their responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
*indicates incumbent
Occupation: Member of Congress
Years in the district: 25+ years
Campaign contact information: 346-330-8476, [email protected], www.algreen.org
Why are you running for this seat?
I am running to be a voice and a vote for health care for all with pre-existing condition coverage, preventative care, and affordable prescription drugs; for protecting and enhancing Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid; for a living wage; for debt-free college education; for ending wars; for reversing the adverse impacts of climate change; for affordable housing; for a national infrastructure project that will create good paying jobs; for immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship for law-abiding undocumented immigrants; and for eliminating invidious discrimination, among many other important issues including gun safety laws.
What is the biggest issue facing the district?
Constituents do not consistently prioritize issues in the same order. For example: if there is a flood, flooding becomes the biggest issue; if there is a mass shooting, gun safety becomes the biggest issue; if pre-existing condition coverage is eliminated, health care becomes the biggest issue, etc. As a Congressperson I cannot wait until there is a flood, a mass shooting, or an assault on health care before acting. I must deal with all big issues proactively not reactively. Of the issues that impact the entire district, they all have the potential to become the biggest issue.
If elected, what do you hope to accomplish by the end of the term?
I hope to continue to make progress on the big issues mentioned above.
Occupation: Real estate and insurance broker
Years in the district: Not provided
Campaign contact information: 832-779-6909, [email protected], www.melissamechelle.org
Why are you running for this seat?
I am running for this seat because I am not only needed but very qualified to take on the position. I am a licensed real estate broker, insurance broker and mortgage originator. Health care is a very important task that we must address in our country. I do believe we have very few representatives that understand health care because they don’t work in the industry like I do. I am a licensed life and health insurance agent in Texas and feel it is much needed to have one of us at the table as we determine a solution for this crisis. I am a 36-year-old female and feel that we are underrepresented at the Hill. I am the voice of not only women but the average everyday working citizen.
What is the biggest issue facing the district?
The biggest issue facing my district is extreme poverty and lack of social resources to bridge the income-wage gap.
If elected, what do you hope to accomplish by the end of the term?
If elected, I wish to address the issue of protecting private property from unfair eminent domain proceedings. The government and private entities have found loopholes around paying “fair market” value to the landowner for their private property. The constitution provides protection to landowner, but we must create specific verbiage and put protections in place that describes specifically would constitutes “fair market value” when dealing with “real property” versus “land only”. I would also like to create opportunity for homeownership for low income families. The FHA program should allow 100% finance options. This would allow more families access to the American Dream. I would like to help with a solution to our health care crisis and praying we can all develop bipartisan solutions that will benefit all people.
