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Two candidates are on the Democratic ballot for Texas House District 61 for the March 3 primary election.
The details
Jackie Bescherer and Brittany Black are both running to represent District 61 in the Texas House. The winner will appear again on the November ballot against the winner of the Republican primary, which features incumbent Keresa Richardson and candidate Frederick Frazier.
Cities the district represents include Plano, McKinney, Frisco and Celina.
What you need to know
Early voting for the March 3 primary runs from Feb. 17-27. Registered voters may cast ballots in either Texas’ Republican or Democratic primary, but not both. Third-party candidates will appear on the November ballot.
For more coverage of state and local races, visit communityimpact.com/voter-guide.
Candidates were asked to keep their responses to 50 words, answer the provided questions and avoid attacking opponents. Responses may be edited for length, clarity and style.
10 yrs US Navy Reserves, Dallas Police office, currently solutions engineer
Why are you running for office?
I’ve lived in Collin County since 1976 — a Navy veteran, former Dallas police officer, single mom, and problem-solver. I’m running because progress isn’t permanent. We must defend public education, protect democracy, and tackle rising costs. When something’s broken, you fix it. That’s what I’ll do for Texas.
What are the biggest challenges facing the district?
Our biggest challenges are underfunded public schools and lack of teacher support, the growing influence of money in politics that silences everyday voices, and an affordability crisis — rising costs for housing, food, and healthcare that are squeezing working families across our district.
How do you plan to address these issues?
Fully fund public education, pay teachers professionally, reduce high-stakes STAAR testing, and keep public dollars in public schools. Establish independent redistricting and expand voting access. Address affordability by increasing housing supply, supporting local builders, lowering property tax pressure responsibly, and strengthening consumer protections in insurance markets.
If you are elected, what can residents expect from you?
Residents can expect honest, transparent representation. Collin County is my home — I raised my sons here and built my life here. I will hold regular town halls, listen to all voices, and give real answers. I’m not a career politician — I’m a veteran, former officer, mother, and problem-solver.
Small business owner; senior software engineer
Why are you running for office?
The people of District 61 deserve a representative who will work for them. I come from a working-class family of farmers, teachers, and veterans, and I built my life in McKinney because I love this community. I’m running on a simple promise: people over politics.
What are the biggest challenges facing the district?
Rising property taxes and cost of living are squeezing working families. Public schools need stronger funding driven by educators, not politics. Infrastructure hasn’t kept pace with Collin County’s growth. And residents feel disconnected from their representation — trust needs rebuilding through genuine transparency and accessibility.
How do you plan to address these issues?
I’ll push for stronger ethics requirements so voters know who benefits from votes cast in Austin. I’ll fight for property tax relief and full public school funding. I’ll leverage my technical background to push for smarter infrastructure planning. And I’ll hold regular town halls for direct accountability.
If elected, what can residents expect from you?
Transparency, accessibility, and hard work. I’ll show up — at town halls, in the community, and in Austin fighting for District 61. No conflicts of interest, every vote based on what’s best for the people I serve. I’ve built a career solving hard problems and I’ll bring that same energy.
