I served two terms on City Council where I fought to improve police and fire services, clean parks, and modernize libraries. I established the Willie Cortez Senior Center to meet community needs. After my term, I became the State Representative for House District 117 in 2012 and have passed over 40 pieces of legislation supporting veterans, public schools, seniors, and job creation in Bexar County. I currently serve as the Chairman of the Defense and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
Data centers consume significant amounts of water and electricity to operate. As data centers and power generation emerge as vital components of our infrastructure, it is essential to regulate them to ensure they do not disrupt public services. While I support our state's independence with its own power grid, we must consider additional backup plans in case of a failure. This is why I have filed legislation to analyze the interconnection between Texas and other partners to enhance grid stability
The residents of each local school district elect their school board trustees to serve as their voice and advocate. I believe the Legislature should respect each school board and its administrative leadership to make the best decision for the children attending their schools. The Legislature should have one goal and that is to increase funding allocated to our local public schools. Our Texas children deserve the highest quality of education in the nation.
The Legislature's role in addressing climate change involves collaborating with various stakeholders to create laws that balance development, progress, and environmental protection. Prioritizing renewable energy sources offers a cleaner alternative that can effectively support the public when used in conjunction with traditional energy. We encourage changes at the individual and business levels by urging people to minimize waste and engage in conservation efforts within their daily routines.
We need to prioritize programs that support families and expand existing initiatives. Children are our future, and our state must do more to assist them and their caregivers to ensure they have proper access to food, education, and healthcare. Over my years of service, I have supported and authored numerous pieces of legislation with this focus in mind. I am proud to have passed one of my top priorities into law, which provides eligible children with two six-month segments of Medicaid coverage.
As the former Vice-Chairman of the Texas House Committee on Elections, I believe voting rights and election integrity are vital to democracy. I have consistently advocated against infringing on voting rights. I stood with the other 61 Democrats during the 87th Legislative session to block SB 7 and appealed to Congress for the rights of all Texans. I do not support additional burdens for voting or registration.
I’ve spent my entire adult life leading teams and solving complex problems—20 years as a U.S. Army officer, including nearly a decade as a strategic planner and three years teaching history at West Point. For the past two years, I’ve served as managing attorney for a pro bono legal services organization. I know how to identify challenges, build practical solutions, and lead people to get results. I’m ready to put that experience to use for Texans in HD 117.
Data centers place heavy demands on already-scarce water and electrical resources. They should be regulated to ensure their impact on local infrastructure, utility rates, and overall cost of living remains neutral for the community. The technology already exists to significantly reduce their resource use and make their operations far more sustainable—we just need policies that require them to use it.
Local control should be the guiding principle in public education. But for it to truly benefit students, the Legislature must fully fund our schools and act as a real partner to counties and school districts. Today, the state’s recapture system diverts local property tax dollars meant for classrooms and turns them into a slush fund for insider priorities. Public education dollars should stay in public schools. And with meaningful school finance reform, the Legislature can make that happen.
Texas needs a fully funded, regional plan for water that prepares for scarcity instead of relying on outdated policies. We must stop waste by fixing failing pipes and preventing private profiteering from our water supply. Long-term security requires investing in sustainable sources like non-potable systems, desalination, and large-scale rain capture.
We can end child hunger in Texas by making the state a true partner in delivering SNAP and school meals, lowering housing and transportation costs, and ensuring access to primary healthcare for everyone. Child hunger is a symptom of broader failures to provide the basic supports individuals and families need to stay healthy and secure.
I support verifying voter eligibility, but those requirements must not block eligible citizens from voting on Election Day. Voting is a fundamental right, and it shouldn’t be denied over fixable paperwork issues. Citizenship checks must account for the realities faced by unsheltered or marginalized Texans, including many older adults, so that every eligible voter can participate.
