Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, 71, has represented the East Side in the Texas House since 2017. She co-founded the George Gervin Youth Center, Inc. and the public charter school George Gervin Academy. She defeated two Democratic primary opponents in 2026, and did not draw a Republican challenger.
Hear from the candidate
1. Please tell voters about yourself.
I live on the Eastside of San Antonio, Texas and have been in San Antonio since October 15, 1980. I hold a bachelor’s degree in business with a concentration in accounting from Eastern Michigan University, completed a master’s degree in education and finalizing my PhD (Abd) in Leadership from Our Lady of the Lake University.
Certifications include a Middle School Math Teacher and School Principal. I’ve worked at Ford Motor Company (auto industry), Detroit Edison Company (utility company) then came to San Antonio to manage my brother George “Iceman” Gervin financial affairs. I provided the leadership for the development of the Gervin Center operations a local non-profit and charter school that has 180 employees, built 322 units of affordable housing and provided a host of wrap-around services to include workforce development, specialized housing, and programs that support “at-risk” youth and families.
2. Briefly describe your top policy priorities.
1-Public education accomplished by advocating for appropriate funding for public schools, ensuring schools have the flexibility and resources needed to properly serve students and parents. Also, through enacting rules that protect the safety of both students and teachers; development of an accountability system that is realistic and addresses the needs of the whole child as well as create sustainable funding for retired educators.
2-Public Health which should be a right, not a privilege therefore enacting policies that build an infrastructure of access and affordability.
3-Public safety by adopting a model focused on rehabilitation not just punishment accomplished through the development of a law enforcement system that requires extensive training for officers, proper compensation and incentives for building a community friendly atmosphere.
4-Affordability for housing and other essentials by adopting a state funded incentive program for both homeowners and renters as well as expanding resources that support wrap around services and housing initiatives.
5-Property tax reform should address the needs of property owners of all ages, especially seniors and veterans but not hurt revenue for local municipalities and schools.
6-Creation of a Criminal justice system that promotes youth development by adopting policies and programming that advocate for second chances when appropriate.
3. What would you like to see the legislature do to make Texas cities better places to live? In what ways could state officials work better with local officials?
From my prospective the legislature should interact with local municipalities closer and work on laws that positively impact local municipalities, are user friendly, supportive of needs of the various types of municipalities, in addition to holding local municipalities accountable for doing what’s best for their citizens. State and local officials should work better together by collaborating closer through holding statewide stakeholder policy development briefings as well as locale specific briefings to ensure alignment and creating a better understanding of the various unique needs that impact rural, urban and suburban areas.
4. Texas has taken major steps to reshape its public education system, including allowing taxpayer dollars to fund private school tuition. What do you believe needs to happen to monitor the success of Education Savings Accounts, and to ensure every student still receives a quality education?
The state should assemble an oversight committee to establish accountability metrics that focus on academic quality, operational effectiveness and financial stability. If an entity receives public funding, they should be held accountability to the taxpayers. Any bad actors should be eliminated from participation.
5. Reducing the burden of property taxes is expected to be a major focus of the next legislative session. Describe your ideas for balancing the needs of a growing state with state leaders’ desire to rein in that major revenue source?
I believe based on the 89th Legislative Session actions the state needs to put a moratorium on doing anything else with property taxes until the impact of the last policies are known. Property tax reduction should not be politicized but should be studied allowing for the development of an effective comprehensive property tax relief plan that is not hurtful to the taxpayers and/or local municipalities.
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