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:
Republican
Incumbent?
Yes
Link to campaign website:
Age:
73
Education background/degrees earned:
BA, Texas Christian University; JD, University of Houston Law Center.
Current occupation, employer, or job title:
State Representative, District 121; Attorney, Partner, Jefferson Cano Allison Barkley, PLLC.
Previous elected offices held and/or sought:
Board of trustees, Alamo Heights Independent School District.
Why do you feel you are the best candidate for the office you are seeking?
Superior background experience and qualifications, demonstrated leadership, and a record of careful guidance and meaningful accomplishments in significant business, civic, education, health care, transportation, and other interests of key importance to our community. Through years of active involvement and results, I have gained vitally important recognition and respect for pragmatic and common-sense leadership and decision-making, which is so valuable and important in this office. I have a reputation for openness and consensus building and the recognized ability to get things done, including, significantly, in bipartisan manners. I am one for action, not words; for doing what I say I will do; and for results. I have broad-based confidence and support from business, education, health care, law enforcement, and more, which enables me to better represent the interests and needs of our community.
What three issues do you feel are most important to voters in your district?
1. Successfully meeting COVID-19 and restoring and advancing our health and safety, jobs, schools, and economy. 2. Continuing our education and workforce reforms and advances. 3. Further property tax reform and relief.
If elected, what would be your top priorities after taking office?
1. Addressing the pressing interests and needs of our community in recovering from COVID-19. 2. Sustaining and furthering our education and work force progress from last session. 3. Increasing health care. 4. Further property tax reform, with focus on appraisal reform. 5. Public safety.
How has the coronavirus pandemic shaped your priorities?
When the pandemic hit our community, it became our priority. I immediately turned our operations into a resource center to help our constituents and community. We immediately developed a close working relationship with the Texas Workforce Commission, enabling us to assist hundreds of constituents and others secure vital benefits, including jobs. I loaned a staff member to assist TWC for an extended period. We were able to help with stimulus payments, PPP loans, food needs, and help businesses operating under existing guideline interpretations. When phone and email communications did not feel sufficient, we physically visited various areas within the district in an effort to check on needed assistance. It was both concerning and rewarding to learn of outstanding or renewed needs and provide assistance.
For incumbents: What do you consider your most significant accomplishments in office? What would you change?
I regard as significant the fact that I kept my election promises, did what I said I intended to accomplish (school finance and education reform, including school safety, character education, vocational education and workforce interests, and care for teachers; property tax reform; and increased health care, including mental health), and did so through bipartisan efforts. My only changes would be to do more, or in slightly different manners, in certain areas. More funding in education, both to provide additional necessary assistance for students and teachers and also to provide additional property tax relief; the pandemic has further highlighted the need to further address the digital divide and the need for broadband; more meaningful property tax relief through addressing the appraisal system; and additional focus on further increasing health care access, particularly for women and children.
For non-incumbents: What, if anything, would you do differently from the current officeholder?
N/A
