Jordan Brown is a special education teacher at Northside ISD. He has a background in nonprofit work and technology, including having worked for Mothers Against Drunk Diving. He’s running in a three-way Democratic primary for the seat currently represented by state Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins (D-San Antonio).
Hear from the candidate
1. Please tell voters about yourself.
I was born in Austin, raised in Victoria, and attended college at the University of North Texas, where I earned a degree in Psychology and a minor in Nonprofit Leadership and Management. After college, for almost 10 years, I worked in the nonprofit sector, supporting various missions through fundraising and volunteer coordination. That work led me into the technology space, where I helped organizations expand their reach and impact.
During the pandemic, I was laid off and had the opportunity to reflect on the kind of impact I wanted to make. In the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, I felt called to work in a field where my identity as a Black man could make a meaningful difference. That brought me into elementary education, where underrepresentation, of black men, is common. I chose to specialize in Special Education because I believe every child deserves the opportunity to learn, and a teacher who will fully invest in and fight for their right to a dignified education and a future with limitless possibilities.
2. Briefly describe your top policy priorities.
First, we must fully fund public schools. It’s been said that a teacher’s work environment is a student’s learning environment and Texas is failing both. Underfunded schools mean classrooms where teachers are stretched thin, students are under supported, and communities are stagnating. Investing in public education is not just about schools, it’s about the future of Texas.
Second, we have to grow good-paying local and union jobs through community investment. Too many families are working harder than ever and still falling behind. Economic opportunity comes from investing from the ground up, in infrastructure, workforce training, and local businesses, not continuing to rely on trickle-down promises that have never reached working people.
Third, we have to strengthen democracy by expanding voter access and lawmaker accountability. Texans deserve a state government that listens, shows up, and reflects our lived experiences. I believe that when more voices are included, trust grows and better decisions are made.
These priorities come down to the simple belief that government should be for, by, and of the people. I’m running to help build Texas’ future together, or like I like said through my childhood, in support of the 4-H club motto, “To make the best better”.
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?
People don’t expect legislators to act on their behalf, so they see no point in getting involved in politics or even voting, often asking “what difference would it make”. As your representative, I think it’s important to show up in neighborhoods and listen to residents to better understand their priorities and needs. Without that direct insight, decisions are made in the legislature without the voice of the people they were elected to represent. Showing up and listening can provide a wealth of understanding, while also demonstrating a commitment to making changes based on lived reality.
State officials can work more effectively with local leaders by intentionally collaborating with cities and communities as partners. But I am concerned that the state is getting too involved in making rules that restrict local control. Representatives need to call that out and stand up for their communities to make decisions in the best interests of residents. Local leaders are closest to the issues facing residents every day, from infrastructure and housing to public safety and education, and their perspective should direct state-level policy. When state and local leaders collaborate, communities grow stronger, changes are more responsive, and Texas cities can become better places to live.
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 legislature has created a broken system that can only be made right by a return to a robust public school system. ESAs force parents with little experience in what makes a good education to go hunting for services that their children need. If the state upheld its obligations to schools and properly funded and staffed them, everything that ESAs are designed to pay for would be covered in the school. Public school guarantees the same quality education to all children, regardless of a parent’s ability to pay.
ESAs create disparities when that $10,000 is all one family has to spend and another family just rolls up that $10,000 with another $10,000 they already have. Under the system the Legislature has enacted, private schools or individuals receiving public education dollars are not held to the same standards of transparency, accountability, and student outcomes as public schools.
Private schools are not required to provide special education services and can turn away students for any reason. Private schools are not held to the same academic and testing standards as public schools. In the end ESAs leave tax payers having no accountability or control over their tax dollars.
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?
When the legislature talks about reducing property taxes, they are really saying they are going to take money away from local governments. Local governments, not the state, collect property taxes to fund schools, cities, counties, and special districts.
These taxes are the largest funding source for local government services, including: Public Education: The largest portion of tax revenue typically funds K-12 school district operations, teacher salaries, and facility maintenance. Public Safety: Police departments, fire departments, and emergency medical services (EMS). Infrastructure & Services: Construction and repair of city streets and county roads, bridges, sanitation, and drainage. Community Services: Libraries, parks, and recreational programs. County Services: Courts, jails, and public health services.
If the legislature kills off local revenues from property taxes they should come up with funding to replace it. Texas does not have a stable source of state revenue, and the sources we do have place a high burden on lower and middle income people while providing breaks and loopholes to the more well to do. Without a stable revenue source, we can expect to see a widening gap based on income and access to personal resources. A state property tax, combined with the elimination of loopholes and the repeal of local M&O taxes, could lower individuals’ property tax burden, raise additional revenue, and allow the state to finally meet its obligation to fully fund our public schools.
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