TEXAS STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 147 Choose 1
A Texas State Representative is elected to serve in the Texas House of Representatives, where they work to create and vote on laws that affect the state. They represent the people in their district and listen to their concerns, helping them with state government services. Representatives also help make decisions about the state’s budget and ensure money is spent in ways that benefit their communities. They serve on committees that focus on important issues like education, transportation, or health care. Representatives serve two-year terms, and there are no limits on how many times they can be re-elected.
Biographical Information
Campaign Website
https://claudio4texas.com/
Occupation
Engineer
Education
Florida International University
Instagram
@claudiogut
X (formerly Twitter)
@Claudio4TX
What training, experience, and characteristics qualify you for this position?
I am an Industrial Engineer by degree, so I solve problems that involve industrial equipment, systems of machines, but above all, teams of people.
I have a high level of empathy and always approach problems with the end-user in mind.
In addition to English, I'm fluent in Spanish and Italian.
Article 7 of the Texas Constitution states that “it shall be the duty of the Legislature of the State to establish and make suitable provision for the support and maintenance of an efficient system of public free schools.” What is your interpretation of what this clause requires of the legislature?
That the State Legislature is responsible for funding a high quality public school system in Texas.
How will you ensure that Texas remains a leader in the energy sector through innovation and reliability?
As an engineer in Houston, it's impossible to not be involved in the oil and gas industry, so I've worked in different sectors of the industry for almost 2 decades. I know that competition drives innovation, so we should be open to ideas from all industries and even other countries. However, as a legislator, it is my moral responsibility to always prioritize Texan companies, technologies, and initiatives with incentives such as tax breaks and ease of entry to markets, as necessary.
What do you believe is the appropriate role of the State of Texas in ensuring that Texans have access to reproductive healthcare, family planning, and pregnancy care and postpartum services?
All families should have access to healthcare to ensure a healthy and strong family.
What other issues are high priorities for the people of your district? Please give specific examples of measurable actions that you will take to address these issues.
When I talk to people in District 147, crime and the local economy are always the biggest concerns for them. For that reason, I want to remove as much government regulation and permitting requirements, so that entrepreneurs can easily open businesses and hire people. Additionally, I want to make sure that Centerpoint and other utility companies have to undergo bidding processes from time to time so that they never become complacent in their services.
Biographical Information
Campaign Website
www.JolandaJones.com
Occupation
Attorney; Texas State Representative
Education
University of Houston, graduated Magna Cum Laude; University of Houston Law Center, Juris Doctorate
Instagram
@www.instagram.com/jolandajones
X (formerly Twitter)
@https://x.com/jonesjolanda
What training, experience, and characteristics qualify you for this position?
I am completing my first full term, including four special sessions, and also served out the balance of Rep. Garnet Coleman’s term after winning a special election necessitated by his resignation. I know my way around the capitol and how to get things done. I also rely on my experience as an at-large city council member, HISD Trustee, and attorney to do a good job for my constituents.
Article 7 of the Texas Constitution states that “it shall be the duty of the Legislature of the State to establish and make suitable provision for the support and maintenance of an efficient system of public free schools.” What is your interpretation of what this clause requires of the legislature?
The constitution and state statutes require the State of Texas to fully fund public education – something MAGA Republicans refuse to do. I vehemently oppose private school vouchers and fought successfully to stop Gov. Abbott’s voucher scam in past sessions. We should ensure that each child has a free, quality education, regardless of where they live, the color of their skin or the ability of their parents to pay for private schools. Our public taxes should not pay for private schools.
How will you ensure that Texas remains a leader in the energy sector through innovation and reliability?
We must embrace the energy transition, both for the billions of dollars of federal investment available under the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and also for reasons of environmental justice. For example, one of the most important opportunities for clean energy is taking place on the edge of District 147: the Sunnyside Energy Project, where a former landfill in an historically African American neighborhood has become the largest solar farm in the United States.
What do you believe is the appropriate role of the State of Texas in ensuring that Texans have access to reproductive healthcare, family planning, and pregnancy care and postpartum services?
Governor Abbott and his Republican allies need to get out of the way and let women and their doctors make health care decisions. No one should have the ability to interfere with a woman’s choice or with the doctor-patient relationship. Those rights are personal and private and no one and no law should take away a woman’s right to choose what’s best for her family, including whether to have children or not. We must repeal the abortion ban and restore reproductive justice.
What other issues are high priorities for the people of your district? Please give specific examples of measurable actions that you will take to address these issues.
As the mother of a Black son and aunt of Black nephews, police reform is a very important issue I’ve been fighting for, for over three decades. We need civilian review boards with subpoena power, an end to racial profiling by law enforcement, and the ability to re-investigate convictions based on police or prosecutorial misconduct. Health care and education are also priorities. Texas must expand Medicaid, restoring health insurance for millions of Texans. I will fight to get the TEA out of HISD.