Candidates comment on Harris County hot-button issues

By Viola Hsia     10/22/24 11:56pm

Students registered in Harris County this year will vote in dozens of national, state and local races. While races for local and state elected officials see lower turnout than presidential elections, these candidates will be making decisions directly impacting the Rice community. The Thresher reached out to local candidates across all parties about the upcoming elections. No Republican candidates responded to interview requests.

One of the issues on the ballot across multiple races is reproductive freedom, which became a key legislative matter after Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2022.

“This election is about freedom,” U.S. Representative Lizzie Fletcher, a Democrat, wrote in an email to the Thresher. “Women and families across Texas are in crisis, and attacks on women’s health have generated fear and confusion for women and their loved ones. It is critical that we find a way to protect them. I will continue doing everything I can to restore the health, privacy, dignity and freedom of women in Texas and across our country.” 

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Like reproductive health, public school funding is a concern for many Harris County residents. In June 2023, the Texas Education Agency took over the Houston Independent School District, appointing a superintendent and board of directors until all schools within the district meet TEA educational outcome criteria.

Brett Robinson, the Democratic candidate for State Representative of District 130, said public school funding is a core part of his campaign.

“As someone who grew up in public schools and recently graduated with my Master’s in Public Administration from [University of Houston], I am a fierce advocate for public education, I am deeply concerned about the future of public education in Texas, as Governor Abbott’s voucher scam is already defunding our public schools,” Robinson wrote in an email to the Thresher. “Instead of vouchers, we need to support our public school teachers. 70% of Texas teachers are considering quitting, so we need to increase teacher pay and show them the appreciation they deserve.”

Robinson refers to Abbott’s plan to provide education savings accounts, or vouchers, which would provide families state funds to pay for private schools. 

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said he plans to create county task forces to increase public safety.

“We’re working hard to reduce violent crime, creating the department’s first-ever violent

offenders task force, street crimes unit and community problem-oriented policing unit,” Gonzalez, a Democrat, wrote in an email to the Thresher. “We’re laser-focused on women and families, providing counseling and support to children with a parent in jail, educational and vocational programs for incarcerated women to help them stay out of jail after they’ve served their time and raising the number of women deputies.”

Libertarian Senate candidate Ted Brown said he is campaigning on reducing inflation.

“We need a balanced budget with massive spending cuts in all federal departments, agencies and programs across the board, with no exceptions,” Brown wrote in an email to the Thresher. “This includes the military, which can’t pass an audit and can’t account for hundreds of billions of dollars they were appropriated in past years.” 

Laura Jones, the Democratic candidate for Texas’ 8th Congressional District, said she wants to prioritize strengthening Texas’ economy.

“Economic growth is another critical area of focus,” Jones wrote in an email to the Thresher. “Once elected, I plan to put forth legislation that will promote job creation, support small businesses and invest in sustainable industries to foster a thriving economy.”

Other issues most candidates are bringing to their ticket include the right to vote and peaceful transition of power, as well as election misinformation. Dayna Steele, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Representative in District 36, said that this was one of the main reasons she decided to run against incumbent Brian Babin.

“My opponent, Brian Babin, was running unopposed even though he breached his oath of office by participating in the fake elector plan and not certifying the election,” Steele wrote in an email to the Thresher. “He has also never condemned the actions of Jan. 6.”

The “fake elector” plan Steele refers to was part of Trump’s attempt to overturn the 2020 election results, which declared President Joe Biden the winner. Trump and his administration asked Republican state officials not to certify the election results.

Texas Senator Molly Cook said she believes progress will only happen in Texas if more people can vote.

“I believe in year-round, sustained, targeted voter engagement that meets real needs and supports community cohesion,” Cook, a Democrat, wrote in an email to the Thresher. “We will never see the change in Texas that we seek until we increase voter turnout.”

[10/23/2024 1:06 p.m.] This article was updated to clarify that the Thresher reached out to Republican politicians.

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