Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
I am a trial lawyer, criminal defense attorney, legislator, former City Councilmember and HISD Trustee. I understand laws, unintended consequences and how to fix a criminal justice system that produces injustice. I am completing my second full term in the Texas House, gaining seniority, and have passed bills despite a partisan Legislature. As a Black lesbian, single mom, Spanish speaker and mother of Afro-Latino children, I understand intersectionality, underserved communities and why immigration reform matters. As a former U.S. track and field champion, I know how to train, compete and win. I helped lead the quorum break against racist redistricting and am unafraid to fight for what is right. HD147 expects a fighter, and I am one.
My record shows what I will do in the future. Every time Medicaid expansion has come before the Texas House, I have voted for it. As a member of the Public Health Committee, I have consistently voted to expand healthcare wherever possible, including mental health services for young people, postpartum coverage, community health centers, mobile clinics, telehealth and underserved providers. I would absolutely vote to fully expand Medicaid, despite Republicans repeatedly refusing to do so, and bring billions of our federal tax dollars back to Texas. Medicaid must cover physical and mental healthcare, and I would vote for universal healthcare for all. No Texan should go without care because of income or ZIP code.
Texas must fully fund public education. I voted against the Republican voucher bill and, given the opportunity, will vote to repeal it in a heartbeat. I will also fight to end TEA’s takeover of HISD and restore local control. Public dollars belong in public schools, not subsidizing private education. Until vouchers are repealed, every taxpayer dollar must be transparent and accountable, including who receives it. Limited data show nearly 42% of voucher participants are White, while White students are only about 24% of Texas public school enrollment. We have taken resources from public school children to subsidize private education. That is unacceptable. Every child deserves a quality public education regardless of ZIP code, race or income.
The two most pressing issues in HD147 are protecting voting rights and making life affordable. Without a strong Voting Rights Act, Black and Brown voters can be disenfranchised, democracy fails, and power shifts to billionaires and oligarchs. I'll fight voter suppression and partisan mid-decade redistricting while refusing to unilaterally disarm when opponents break the rules. We need to fight fire with fire. Second, families cannot afford housing, healthcare, childcare, utilities, insurance and groceries. I’ll file and vote for legislation to lower those costs, expand Medicaid, increase affordable housing and childcare, and raise wages. My standard: protect every eligible voter’s voice and put more money into working families’ pockets.
