To inform readers about the candidates seeking their votes on the November ballot, the San Antonio Report asked all candidates to answer the following questions. We edited answers for clarity, not substance or grammar, and we did not fact-check responses. We restricted responses to 200 words for each question.
Read other candidates’ answers here.
Party:
Democrat
Incumbent?
Yes
Link to campaign website:
Age:
42
Education background/degrees earned:
PhD in Educational Administration, University of Texas at Austin (2017); master’s in Public Administration, UTSA (2007); bachelor of arts in Political Science, UTSA (2002)
Current occupation, employer, or job title:
Adjunct professor, University of Incarnate Word; financial advisor, Ameriprise
Previous elected offices held and/or sought:
San Antonio City Councilman, District 4, elected 2007, reelected 2009
Why do you feel you are the best candidate for the office you are seeking?
I am fortunate to represent the area of San Antonio that I was born and raised in, which gives me insight to many of the families’ quality of life who live in District 117. Serving for 20 years in the military also matches the life experience of many veterans who live in the district.
What three issues do you feel are most important to voters in your district?
Public education funding, access to affordable health care, and job creation
If elected, what would be your top priorities after taking office?
If I am fortunate to be reelected to the Texas House of Representatives, I will continue to advocate for veterans, senior citizens, public school funding, and high-wage jobs in the community. Also, improving health care access for children currently on Medicaid by removing many of the bureaucratic hurdles in place will be another priority (HB 342 filed in 2019 session).
How has the coronavirus pandemic shaped your priorities?
COVID-19 has once again exposed the lack of access to health care for many Texas families. This pandemic has magnified the fact that all Texans should have access to affordable health care. One method to achieve this is the expansion of Medicaid in Texas and the passing of HB 342 for children’s Medicaid reform.
For incumbents: What do you consider your most significant accomplishments in office? What would you change?
HB 1414: Military email ballots (passed 2017); HB 2761: Powers of authority on defense bases (passed 2017); SB 6 (co-author): Annexation reform (2017); HB 1351: Texas veterans data protection (2019); HB 1825: School safety (2019); HB 2119: Texas military revolving loan fund (2019)
For non-incumbents: What, if anything, would you do differently from the current officeholder?
N/A
