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Editor's note: This story has been updated to include responses from Republican candidate and incumbent Carrie Isaac.
Democratic candidate Merrie Fox is running against incumbent Republican candidate Carrie Isaac to be District 73's state representative.
What you need to know
District 73 encompasses parts of Comal and Hays counties. Isaac and Fox both ran unopposed in the primaries. Isaac was elected by voters in November 2022, as previously reported by Community Impact.
Early voting for the general election begins Oct. 19 and goes through Oct. 30. Election Day is Nov. 3.
For more information on voting and polling locations, visit your county's website or www.votetexas.gov. For more election coverage, visit www.communityimpact.com.
Learn more
Candidates were asked to keep responses within 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.
Retired school principal, Executive Director of Circle Arts Theatre, wife, mom, volunteer, community member
What is the most important issue facing your constituents in the coming legislative session, and how do you intend to address it?
Water quality and availability are significant concerns across HD73. I will work to improve wastewater treatment standards, provide authority to county officials to manage reasonable growth, support groundwater conservation districts to effectively address commercial overpumping, and incentivize rainwater collection and the reuse of treated wastewater for irrigation.
What other issues are a high priority for you?
I am committed to providing real tax and rental relief for individuals and families struggling to make ends meet. I will also work to ensure public schools are adequately funded, remove state-sponsored religion from classrooms and implement a transparent and reasonable accountability system that accurately reflects school performance.
School districts are struggling financially due to a number of factors. How will you approach school funding in the next session?
I will work to increase the Basic Allotment and index it to inflation so funding keeps pace with the increasing costs of operating schools. I will also oppose legislation that uses taxpayer money for private school vouchers.
How will you balance the development of data centers and other large projects with constituent concerns about rapid growth?
I will support legislation requiring transparency from large-project developers for permits, water and energy usage and environmental impacts. I will also promote legislation that enables local elected officials to manage growth and ensure that development does not come at the expense of our natural resources or quality of life.
State Representative since 2023
What is the most important issue facing your constituents in the coming legislative session, and how do you intend to address it?
Property taxes are the top issue I hear at the door. Next session I will fight to cap homestead appraisals at 3%, require a two-thirds voter vote on tax increases, make local governments live within state spending limits and shift school funding off homeowners so families are not priced out...
What other issues are a high priority for you?
Unmanaged growth is straining Hill Country water. I authored HB 5325 to require new plats that rely on groundwater to prove an adequate supply before approval, and to let counties deny projects that cannot show the water is there. It did not pass. I will file it again next session.
School districts are struggling financially due to a number of factors. How will you approach school funding in the next session?
I will fight to have the state fund M&O so school taxes no longer fall on homestead owners. Funding should follow the student, reward results and support strong neighborhood schools and parental choice. Career pathways, basics in reading and math, and classroom dollars, not bureaucracy, must come first.
How will you balance the development of data centers and other large projects with constituent concerns about rapid growth?
We must protect water, neighborhoods and quality of life. I do not believe the Hill Country is the place for data centers. Next session I will help pass legislation to write clear parameters into law and end tax breaks that subsidize these projects.
