Education
BA in Sociology/Minor in History from University of North Texas, Masters of Science in Curriculum & Instruction from Western Governors University
Experience
14 years as public school educator
Campaign Phone
972-979-7326
Public schools need stable, transparent funding that reflects real classroom needs. I support adding $1,000 to the Basic Student Allotment to help schools keep up with rising costs, pay teachers fairly, and maintain a safe and effective learning environment. I oppose Education Savings Accounts (vouchers) because they divert public dollars away from neighborhood schools and toward the most privileged, instead of strengthening the public education system that serves all Texas families, with no exceptions.
Texas has a responsibility to protect children in Child Protection Services, foster care, and the juvenile justice system. I support increasing funding to reduce caseworker caseloads and improve response times so child safety comes first. I would reduce the use of unsafe emergency placements like hotels and expand financial and training to support for kinship caregivers. For juvenile justice, I support rehabilitation, mental health services, and community-based programs that help break cycles of harm and give young Texans a real chance to succeed.
Texas needs a border approach that is practical, coordinated, and focused on real outcomes -- not political theater. The state should continue efforts that keep Texas safe, while working with local communities, law enforcement, and federal partners. We must also remember that immigrants are human beings, and the citizenship process is long, complex, and expensive. Policy should be grounded in accountability, effectiveness, and basic dignity --not slogans.
The biggest healthcare burden for Texans is the cost of insurance premiums, deductibles, and surprise medical bills. These costs are crippling the average families, forcing them to choose between putting food on the table or taking their children to see a doctor. The state should focus on lowering these costs and increasing transparency. Drug prices matter too, and I support eliminating middlemen like Pharmacy Benefit Managers and creating prescription drug affordability boards (PDAB).
Texans deserve a reliable and affordable electrical grid. The state should invest in making sure the current grid is in good working order and plan ahead for increasing demand, including from data centers and population growth. We should also diversify energy resources, including solar and wind, to improve resilience and sustainability. Large new users, including corporations, should help pay for the infrastructure they require so families aren't left with higher bills or higher risk.
Water is a long-term essential issue for Texas, and the state must manage it responsibly and transparently. I support fully funding the State Water Plan through the Texas Water Development Board, with a focus on conservation, water reuse, aquifer storage, and critical infrastructure repairs. Conservation incentives should apply to all sectors--including agriculture and industry--not just homeowners. Communities deserve clear planning, fair use, and long-term stewardship of this essential resource.
I support fair, transparent district maps that put voters first and provide equal representation. We need to end gerrymandered districts that dilute voices--especially in minority communities--and replace them with maps that respect communities of interest and fully protect voting rights. People deserve to know how districts are drawn and to trust that their vote carries real weight. Our democracy works best when all voices are heard and represented. Addressing this issue will bring back much needed trust in our democratic processes.
Public colleges and universities should be places of learning, discovery, inquiry, and opportunity--not partisan battlegrounds. The state's role should be to protect freedom of speech, the right to protest, academic freedom in the classroom, and the ability of institutions to hire their own personnel, as long as graduation standards are met. I oppose the state's micromanagement of our higher education institutions. If continued it will turn higher education into a political tool instead of focusing on educating students and serving the public.
I believe all Texans deserve to live with dignity without being turned into political targets. People have the right to freedom of expression. I don't support using state government to single people out based on their personal choices or score culture-war points. My focus is on keeping classrooms and communities safe and respectful, protecting kids from bullying and harassment, and making sure government is solving real problems--like affordability and strong public schools--instead of manufacturing distractions.
The most pressing issues in the next legislative session will be affordability, public education, and restoring trust in government. Texas families are struggling with rising costs while wages lag, and the system too often favors corporate profits over working people. We must protect public schools from political interference and invest in the classrooms most children attend. Just as important, we need transparent leadership that shows up, listens, and puts communities--not insiders--first.
