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Multiple candidates are seeking election to represent Texas House District 50 in the Texas House of Representatives.
What you need to know
The seat is currently held by Democratic Rep. James Talarico, who was first elected in 2018 and is currently running for the U.S. Senate.
Candidates were asked to respond to a standardized set of questions, limit answers to 50 words, and refrain from criticizing opponents. Responses may have been edited for length, clarity, or style to meet those guidelines.
For more election coverage, visit communityimpact.com/voter-guide.
Why are you running for office?
I am running because I believeTexas government should work for the people who live here, not corporations or special interests. Too many Texans feel unheard. I want to bring common sense, compassion, and accountability to the state government and focus on healthcare affordability, education, and economic security.
What would your top priorities be if elected?
My top priorities would be making healthcare more affordable, restoring reproductive rights and trans rights, fully funding public education, ensuring free school meals for every child, and improving housing and transportation.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process?
I plan to involve residents by holding regular town halls, listening sessions, and community meetings, staying accessible to constituents, and actively seeking input from residents, educators, workers, and local organizations before making decisions that impact our district.
What projects are most important for the legislature to focus on for the future of Texas?
The Legislature should focus on affordable healthcare, strong public education, reliable infrastructure, housing affordability, sustainable transportation, and energy reliability. Investing in people, communities, and long term solutions will help Texas grow responsibly while improving quality of life for future generations.
Why are you running for office?
I’m running as a political outsider who’s seen government up close. I worked at the Texas Ethics Commission and Texas Legislative Council, then as a federal contractor securing infrastructure from hackers and foreign adversaries. I’ve seen waste and political theater firsthand. Texans deserve better.
What would your top priorities be if elected?
My priorities are realistic, non-partisan, and achievable. I believe in finding common ground with Republican voters. I want to rein in ERCOT’s monopoly on power, reduce property taxes for homeowners and renters, and ensure public education is safe and focused on kids, not politics.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process?
I am committing to holding an open town hall every month while in office. Since starting this campaign, I’ve met incredible people with genuine ideas for solving problems. I need residents’ voices to help keep me grounded, accountable, and focused on what actually matters.
What projects are most important for the legislature to focus on for the future of Texas?
The legislature should focus on ensuring clean water, reliable electricity, and access to healthy food. It must also make property taxes more affordable for homeowners and renters. These are basic needs Texans across the political spectrum agree on and expect government to deliver.
Labor leader and organizer, neighborhood president, Democratic activist, and longtime advocate for working families.
Why are you running for office?
I’m running because working families deserve a real voice in the Texas House. As a labor leader and neighborhood president, I’ve spent years showing up for our community. HD 50 deserves a representative who shows up, listens, and delivers on housing, education, affordability, and community safety with a people‑first approach.
What would your top priorities be if elected?
My priorities are expanding affordable housing, strengthening public schools, protecting workers, and improving community safety. I’ll focus on lowering costs for families, increasing housing supply, supporting educators, and ensuring state agencies enforce labor and safety laws that keep our communities stable, affordable, and a place where working people can thrive.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process?
I’ll involve residents through regular town halls, neighborhood meetings, and multilingual outreach. I’m committed to strong constituent services—showing up, listening, and acting to make our government work for regular folks and ensure their voices shape policy. My office will be accessible, responsive, and rooted in the community.
What projects are most important for the legislature to focus on for the future of Texas?
Texas must invest in affordable housing, strong public schools, and modern infrastructure. We need long‑term water planning, reliable transportation, and a clean‑energy economy that creates good jobs. Strengthening worker protections and building resilient communities will keep Texas competitive and ensure families can build stable, thriving futures.
Immigration attorney, small-business owner, community advocate, Austin native.
Why are you running for office?
I’m running because too many decisions at the Capitol are making life harder for working families. As a mom, small-business owner, and immigration attorney, I see how policy affects real people. I’m stepping up to protect basic rights, lower costs, and make government work for people again.
What would your top priorities be if elected?
My top priorities are lowering everyday costs, strengthening public schools, expanding access to healthcare, and protecting basic freedoms. That means investing in education, opposing voucher schemes, expanding Medicaid, supporting working families, and standing up for communities targeted by fear-based and divisive state policies.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process?
<br>I believe representation means listening. I will hold regular community meetings, maintain open constituent services, and partner with local organizations to hear directly from residents. My goal is to make government accessible, responsive, and grounded in the real experiences of the people I represent.
What projects are most important for the legislature to focus on for the future of Texas?
Texas must invest in public education, infrastructure, affordable housing, and healthcare, while also protecting the rights of all Texans. That includes defending reproductive freedom, LGBTQIA Texans, immigrants, and voting rights so everyone can live safely, participate fully, and build a future here.
