Michelle Barrientes Vela is a former Bexar County Constable in Precinct 2. She was charged with tampering with records and later acquitted. She’s seeking the Democratic nomination to replace retiring state Rep. Ray Lopez (D-San Antonio).
Hear from the candidate
1. Please tell voters about yourself.
I am a lifelong Texan, wife, married to my husband for 33 years, a mother, a grandmother and resident of District 125 in San Antonio Texas. My campaign is more than a return to politics; it is a testament of my resilience. Having been railroaded by a flawed system, I now leverage my unique perspective as both an officer of the law and a victim of its failures.
I am uniquely qualified to lead the fight for comprehensive reform that prioritizes accountability and safeguards the rights of every individual. I am demanding that our system lives up to its promise of justice for all—ensuring that no one else suffers the same injustices I fought so hard to overcome. My professional experience, bands, law-enforcement, paralegal experience and a family owned business operations;
Economic Experience: For nearly 30 years, I have helped in managing a family-owned business, providing me with an understands of administrative and financial responsibilities- managing all aspects of operation, including regulatory compliance, license and state requirements for a dealership.
My Administrative Oversight: As an elected Bexar County Constable, Law Enforcement Official, I have managed all administrative operations, supervisory functions, administrator over law enforcement training with knowledge and enforcement in statutory and constitutional law.
Legal Professional: My Paralegal experience includes intensive studies in criminal, civil, family, and contract law, legal research-knowledge I will use to craft better legislation on the house floor as your next state representative for district 125.
2. Briefly describe your top policy priorities.
Texas leads the nation in uninsured residents, and I support expanding access to affordable health care so no child, senior, veteran, or working adult goes without care. Health care is foundational to strong families and a strong workforce.
In education, I believe every child deserves quality education—whether in a public, charter, or private setting—and that public schools must be fully funded, transparent, and supported. Teachers and school staff deserve fair pay and respect, along with adequate funding to provide the best education for all students.
As a former peace officer, I support public safety policies that prioritize community trust, constitutional rights, and accountability. Law enforcement should protect communities, not be misused for political purposes.
Criminal justice reform- Criminal justice reform must address systemic failures by holding the powerful accountable and ensuring justice is applied equally to everyone—not just those without power.
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?
Texas cities thrive when local leaders have the flexibility to address local needs. I support local control and believe decisions affecting housing, infrastructure, public safety, and workforce conditions are best made closest to the people impacted.
The legislature should partner with cities—by listening to local officials, respecting voter-approved measures, and providing resources instead of restrictions. State leaders should collaborate with cities through transparent funding, shared planning, and regular consultation rather than one-size-fits-all mandates.
Strong cooperation between state and local government leads to safer neighborhoods, better services, and smarter growth.
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?
If Education Savings Accounts continue, they must be subject to strong transparency, accountability, and performance standards. Taxpayer dollars—whether spent in public, charter, or private settings—must be tracked carefully to ensure students are receiving a quality education.
That includes clear reporting on outcomes, protections against fraud, and safeguards to ensure ESAs do not drain resources from public schools or disadvantage students with disabilities or special needs.
Public education remains the backbone of our state, and any education policy must strengthen—not weaken—the system that serves the majority of Texas students.
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?
Property tax relief is important, but it must be done responsibly. Homeowners and seniors are feeling the strain. I support shifting more of the burden from local property taxes to the state where possible, using smarter budgeting, closing inefficiencies, and ensuring economic growth benefits communities—not just the top. Property tax relief should not come at the expense of public safety, education, or infrastructure. The goal should be balance: real relief for taxpayers while maintaining strong, well-funded communities.
It would be an honor to represent you as the constituents on the Texas House Floor for District 125. I humbly ask for your vote and support so we can continue to make a better tomorrow for all of us.
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