Election
BY HANNAH BROL & DANICA LLOYD
Texas Senate, District 15, Democratic Primary
Michelle Anderson Bonton Occupation: social entrepreneur, business woman, retired educator Relevant experience: founder and leader of a 180-employee, $14M budget organization www.votemichellebonton.com
Jarvis Johnson Occupation: business owner Relevant experience: state
Alberto “Beto” Cardenas Occupation: attorney Relevant experience: Cleaning up the Housing Authority, millions raised for charity, local infrastructure improvements www.texansforbeto.com
representative for District 139 since 2016; Houston City Council member
for District B, three terms www.jarvisfortexas.com
What are the biggest challenges facing the district, and how would you address them if elected?
The stability of the electrical grid is most critical. Lives were lost during Uri, and the system barely held up during the most recent freeze. Current regulations need to be claried, the system winterized; a specic plan to address population growth and a system failure must be put in place.
Attacks on public education—we must protect public education from voucher schemes and work to ensure all children receive an excellent education regardless of their ZIP code.
My top priority, women’s rights and individual freedom, is the biggest issue facing Texas. I will go toe-to-toe with Republicans on this by amending our constitution. If Republicans are so condent about their policies, they should allow Texans to vote on the issue. Texans will stand up for women.
Todd Litton Occupation: attorney-mediator Relevant experience: father and husband, attorney-mediator, former candidate for CD-02, education nonprot leader www.toddlitton.com
Molly Cook Occupation: ER nurse Relevant experience: ER nurse, public health expert, policy advocate and community organizer www.mollyfortexas.com
Karthik Soora Occupation: former teacher and renewable energy developer Relevant experience: Rice University graduate; co-founded Momentum Education www.karthikfortexas.com
What are the biggest challenges facing the district, and how would you address them if elected?
The extreme agenda of [Gov. Greg] Abbott and [Lt. Gov. Dan] Patrick to take away personal liberties like access to abortion and gender-a¡rming care, push school vouchers, takeover Harris County and [Houston] ISD, and stroke fear and hate in their base. I am an experienced leader who will stand up and ght their ... agenda.
The district’s primary issue is gun violence. I propose stringent gun safety measures: universal background checks, extreme risk laws, ensuring safe storage, bolstering funding for mental health support, education, job funding, improving murder clearance rates, and enhancing rearm tracking through interagency collaboration.
Low voter turnout. Without building capacity, we will not make the change we want to see in our district. In 2022, my race increased voter turnout, and I will continue to build on that foundation through year- round canvassing, community organizing, and constant, regular communication with the district.
Texas Senate, District 7, Democratic Primary
Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50
Michelle Gwinn Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Nasir H. Malik Occupation: custom residential and commercial builder Relevant experience: Northeast Interfaith Council former president; Northwest Chamber member www.malikfortexas.com
words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. For more election coverage, go to www.communityimpact.com/ voter-guide.
What are the biggest challenges facing the district, and how would you address them if elected?
Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
The biggest challenges facing Senate District 7 include protecting and investing in our public schools, getting the government from getting between you and your doctors by giving women a right to choose, and expanding our health care system so that folks receive the life-saving care they need.
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CYPRESS EDITION
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