dallas county edition - League of Women Voters of Dallas

Transcription

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
VOTERS GUIDE
NON-PARTISAN...REALLY!
DALLAS COUNTY EDITION
PRIMARY ELECTION
TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 2016
VOTING
BY MAIL
EARLY VOTING
TIMES & LOCATIONS
WHERE TO VOTE
ON ELECTION DAY
INFORMATION ON
REFERENDUMS
CANDIDATE RESPONSES
ON THE ISSUES THAT AFFECT YOU
ALSO AVAILABLE ONLINE AT
VOTE411.ORG
Primary Election Voters Guide for
Dallas County Voters
League of Women Voters of Dallas
Education Fund
Helpful Information
Websites
Dallas County Elections Deptment
Texas Secretary of State
League of Women Voters of Texas
Dallas County Democratic Party
Dallas County Libertarian Party
Dallas County Republican Party
Dallas County Green Party
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Telephone Numbers
www.dallascountyvotes.org
www.votetexas.gov
www.lwvdallas.org
www.lwvtexas.org
www.dallasdemocrats.org
www.lpdallas.org
www.dallasgop.org
www.dallasgreens.net
Dallas County Elections Department
Texas Secretary of State - Elections Division
League of Women Voters of Texas
League of Women Voters of Irving
League of Women Voters of Richardson
League of Women Voters of Tarrant County
(214) 819-6300
(800) 252-8683
(512) 472-1100
(214) 688-4125
(214) 682-8230
(972) 470-0584
(817) 348-8683
Your contributions to the League of Women Voters of Dallas Education Fund help us
produce the Voters Guide providing unbiased, non-partisan, accurate information
about elections, the voting process and issues. If you find this useful and
wish to contribute, you may make donations online at www.LWVDallas.org, or call
(214) 688-4125 for information. The LWVD Education Fund is a 501(c)(3) corporation
so all contributions are tax deductible.
LWV Dallas Education Fund || 2720 N Stemmons Fwy, Ste 812, Dallas, TX 75207
www.lwvdallas.org || lwvdallas@sbcglobal.net || (214) 688-4125 Phone & Fax
pg. 3
About the Voters Guide
For more information see DallasCountyVotes.org or call Dallas County Elections.
The Voters Guide is funded and published by the League of Women Voters
of Dallas Education Fund. The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan
organization whose mission is to promote political responsibility through the
informed participation of all citizens in their government. Neither the League
nor the Education Fund supports or opposes any political party or candidate.
Early Voting in Person – Times & Locations
Texas law allows you to carry this Voters Guide inside the voting booth.
The Voters Guide lists all candidates who will appear on the ballot in Dallas
County. Questionnaires were not sent to candidates in precinct chair races or
to write-in candidates. Candidate replies are not edited or verified for accuracy. Candidates appearing with no photo did not submit one.
Any registered voter may vote early during these times:
Tuesday February 16 through Friday February 19
Saturday February 20
Sunday February 21
Monday February 22 through Friday February 26
8 AM - 5 PM
7 AM - 7 PM
1 PM - 6 PM
7 AM - 7 PM
Bethany Lutheran Church
10101 Walnut Hill Lane
Dallas
77238
Crosswinds High School
1100 N Carrier Pkwy
Grand
Prairie
75050
Disciple Central Community Church
900 N Polk St, Suite 170
Desoto
75115
Crosswinds High School
1100 N Carrier Pkwy
Grand
Prairie
75050
Duncanville Library
201 James Collins
Duncanville
75116
Eastfield College-Pleasant Grove
Campus
802 S Buckner
Dallas
75217
Eligibility for Voting
El Centro College-West Campus
3330 N Hampton Rd
Dallas
75212
Fretz Park Library
6990 Belt Line Road
Dallas
75254
You must be a citizen of the United States, registered to vote in the county of
your residence 30 days prior to election day, and must be at least 18 years old
on election day. You cannot vote if you have been declared by a court exercising probate jurisdiction to be totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally
incapacitated without the right to vote, or are a convicted felon who has not
completed your sentence, probation and/or parole.
Grauwyler Park Recreation Center
7780 Harry Hines Blvd
Dallas
75235
Irving City Hall
825 W Irving Blvd
Irving
75060
Josey Ranch Library
1700 Keller Springs
Carrollton
75006
Lakeside Activity Center
101 Holley Park Dr
Mesquite
75149
Lancaster Veterans Memorial Library
Lancaster
75134
Photo ID Requirement
1600 Veterans Memorial
Pkwy
Lochwood Library
11221 Lochwood Blvd
Dallas
75218
Marsh Lane Baptist Church
10716 Marsh Lane
Dallas
75229
Pursuant to a new state law, each voter voting in person must present an
authorized form of photo identification. The authorized forms are:
Martin Luther King Jr Core Bldg
2922 Martin Luther King Blvd
Dallas
75215
Martin Weiss Recreation Center
1111 Martindell Ave
Dallas
75211
* Texas driver license
* Texas personal identification card
* Texas concealed handgun license
* Texas Election Identification Certificate
* United States military identification card
* United States passport
* United States citizenship or naturalization certificate containing the person’s
photo
Oak Cliff Sub-Courthouse
410 S Beckley Ave
Dallas
75203
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
7611 Park Lane
Dallas
75225
Paul Laurence Dunbar LancasterKiest Library
2008 East Kiest Blvd
Dallas
75216
Records Building (Main Location)
509 Main Street
Dallas
75202
Richardson Civic Center
411 W Arapaho Road
Richardson
75080
All of the above must be unexpired or expired no more than 60 days prior to
presentment.
Richland College-Garland Campus
675 W Walnut St
Garland
75040
Rowlett City Hall Annex
4004 Main Street
Rowlett
75088
Samuell Grand Recreation Center
6200 East Grand Ave
Dallas
75223
Valley Ranch Library
401 Cimarron Trail
Irving
75063
Online Voters Guide: Vote411
An electronic League of Women Voters Guide can be viewed on-line at
Vote411.org. In it you can view information on the candidates who will appear
on your personal ballot side by side, by contest. The same candidate responses that appear in the printed Voters Guide also appear in Vote411.
The name on the photo ID and the name on the voter record must be the
same or substantially similar.
(Replaces Desoto Town Center Library)
(Replaces Veterans Admin Medical
Center)
If a voter does not present the proper identification, he or she will still be permitted to vote provisionally. The voter will have six days to present authorized
identification to the Dallas County voter registrar for the voter’s ballot to be
accepted.
All qualified presidential candidates were invited to provide biographical information and responses to five specific questions. Candidates qualified if
they met the following criteria: 1. The candidate must have made a public announcement of her/his intention to run for her/his Party’s nomination for
President; and, 2. The candidate must meet the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act’s minimum contribution threshold requirements for qualifying
for matching funds, based on the most recent data publicly available on the FEC website.
Responses were limited to 400 characters and were truncated thereafter.
If a candidate did not respond by the date of publication, “Candidate has not responded.” is printed.
© 2016 League of Women Voters of Dallas Education Fund
pg. 4
Early Voting by Mail
Election Day Voting
If eligible to vote early by mail, you may request either a Republican or a
Democratic ballot.
On election day, you must vote in your precinct of residence. Your precinct
number is shown on your voter registration card. You can very easily find
your election day precinct polling place at www.dallascountyvotes.org/voterinformation/voter-lookup. Alternatively you can call the Dallas County Elections Department or the League of Women Voters of Dallas.
You are eligible to vote early by mail if you are a registered voter who is:
• 65 years of age or older on Election Day
• Out of the county during the entire election including early voting (must
provide out of county address)
• Sick or Disabled
• Confined in jail but eligible to vote.
If you are voting early because of an expected absence, you may apply in
person for a ballot by mail before the Early Voting in Person period begins.
If you are voting by mail because you are disabled or are 65 years of age
or older, you may use a single application to request ballots by mail for all
county elections in the calendar year. To do so, simply mark “Annual Application” on your application for a ballot by mail when selecting the election for
which you are applying.
For details on writing your own application for a ballot by mail, see DallasCountyVotes.Org or call 214.0819-6300.
You can get a formal application for a ballot by mail from:
Toni Pippins-Poole – Early Voting Clerk
Dallas County Elections
2377 N. Stemmons Frwy., Suite 820
Dallas, Texas 75207
(214) 819-6300
Or go to the Elections Department Website www.DallasCountyVotes.org.
The completed application must be RECEIVED (not postmarked) by Dallas
County Elections Department no sooner than January 1, 2016 and no later
than Friday February 19, 2016.
Once you have received and marked your ballot it can be returned. It must
be received by Dallas County Elections by 7 p.m. on election day (or by the
5th day after election day if it is mailed from outside the United States).
For more information on early voting by mail, call Dallas County at (214)
819-6300, or email earlyvotingmail@dallascounty.org or write to Dallas
County Elections at the above address.
Special Provision for Active-Duty Military or Living Overseas
If you or family members are active-duty military or living overseas, you are
welcome to use the regular vote by mail process through your home county,
but you can also take advantage of special provisions available to you
through the Federal Postcard Application (FPCA). Information about FPCA
and the required application form can be found on-line at votetexas.gov/military-overseas-voters. The FPCA application must be filled out and received
by the County no later than Friday, February 19.
Primary Runoff Election
Early voting for the Primary Runoff Election, if any, will begin Monday, May
16 and end Friday, May 20. Election day will be Tuesday, May 24. Consult
DallasCountyVotes.org or call (214)819-6300 for information.
Inside the Guide
Table of Contents
Democratic Party Guide
United States President
United States Representative
Railroad Commissioner
Justice, Supreme Court
Judge, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
State Legislator
Justice, Court of Appeals
Civil District Court Judge
Criminal District Court Judge
Sheriff
County Tax Assessor/Collector
County Commissioner
Dallas County Justice of the Peace
Constable
Dallas County Political Party Chairman
Dallas County Precinct Chair Contest
Ballot Referenda
Republican Party Guide
United States President
United States Representative
Judge, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
State Legislator
Justice, Court of Appeals
Civil District Court Judge
Criminal District Court Judge
Sheriff
County Commissioner
Dallas County Justice of the Peace
Dallas County Political Party Chairman
Dallas County Precinct Chair Contest
Ballot Propositions
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25
25
27
28
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29
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37
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41
44
45
46
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pg. 5
Democratic
Races
UNITED STATES PRESIDENT
How Elected: Every four years, political parties nominate candidates to run
for President of the United States in a general election that is held on the first
Tuesday, after the first Monday in November. Although all parties use conventions to nominate their candidates, in most states the Democratic and Republican parties also run state-wide primary elections or caucuses. The results of
the primary influence how the delegates to their respective party’s convention
will cast ballots for candidates for President. The degree to which the result of
the primary influences the votes of delegates at conventions varies from state
to state.
Duties: The President is the head of state of the United States of America
and is the Chief Executive Officer and the Commander in Chief of all military
forces. The powers of the President are described in the Constitution and federal law. Subject to Senate approval, the President appoints the members of
the Cabinet, ambassadors to other nations and the United Nations, Supreme
Court Justices and federal judges. The President, along with the Cabinet
and its agencies, is responsible for carrying out and enforcing the laws of the
United States. The President may also recommend legislation to the United
States Congress.
© 2016 by the League of Women Voters Education Fund
Martin O’Malley (D) (Withdrew)
Democratic Presidential Candidate
Hillary Clinton (D)
Q: How do you propose to address the most important challenges facing our country?
A: I have laid out four fights to face our greatest challenges: we must create an economy that raises pay
Democratic Presidential and creates good jobs, ensuring those at the top pay their fair share. We have to support families by expanding access to health care and other vital services. We must maintain our leadership for global peace
Candidate
and security. Finally, we must stop the flow of secret money that corrupts our politics.
Q: In building a vibrant U.S. economy, would you emphasize helping companies expand and earn more or addressing income inequality?
A: The deck is stacked against ordinary Americans. That is why I have laid out plans to raise the minimum wage and to close unfair tax loopholes
that benefit companies that shift jobs overseas. I will make investments that create jobs, including in infrastructure, research, and education. I’ll
fight for equal pay, paid leave, and lower taxes for working Americans—asking those at the top to pay more.
Q: Please explain why you support or oppose using more U.S. military power to resolve the situation in the Middle East.
A: Like President Obama, I do not believe we should again have U.S. troops in combat in the Middle East. If we have learned anything from 15 years of war, it is
that we cannot substitute for local forces in missions to secure their own communities. Our strategy must be comprehensive—embedding our mission against ISIS
within a broader fight against radical jihadism that is bigger than any one group.
Q: What measures do you support to protect Americans from domestic acts of terrorism?
A: We have to shut down ISIS recruitment in the U.S. and stop foreign terrorists from coming here. We must disrupt plots before they are carried out by ensuring
local law enforcement works with national counterterrorism experts. We must build on our successes in securing loose nuclear materials and other WMD. And we
need to empower American Muslims, who are key to the fight against radicalization.
Q: Please explain why you do or do not think it is important to reduce the role of money in American elections.
A: Campaign finance reform is needed to restore a government of, by, and for the people—not just the wealthy and well-connected. On issues from climate change
to equal pay, Washington won’t work for us unless we address the outsized role of money in politics. As president, I will appoint Supreme Court justices who value
our right to vote—and I will work to end secret, unaccountable money in politics.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Occupation: Former U.S. Secretary of State; Campaign Website: http://www.hillaryclinton.com; Campaign Email: info@hillaryclinton.
com; Campaign Phone: (646) 854-1432; Campaign Address: Hillary for America ; PO Box 5256 New York, NY 10185
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Photo ID Required to Vote in Texas! Effective immediately!
See www.DallasCountyVotes.org for qualifying IDs and where to
get them.
pg. 6
Democratic Presidential Candidate
Bernie Sanders (D)
Q; How do you propose to address the most important challenges facing our country?
A: I will address the most important challenges facing our country by bringing people together to reinvigoDemocratic Presidential rate democracy. Middle class and working families and low income people. White, Black, Hispanic, and
Native American. Men and women. Straight and gay. Native born and immigrant. This is the only way to
Candidate
address the major economic, political, social, and environmental challenges facing our country.
A: To rebuild the middle class and reduce income and wealth inequality, we must unlock the economic potential of all Americans. As President, I
will: demand large corporations pay their fair share in taxes; boost wages by increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour, fight for pay equity for
women, create 13 million new jobs by investing $1 trillion to modernize our crumbling infrastructure, and more.
A: I deeply believe that the test of a great and powerful nation is not how many wars it can engage in, but how it can resolve international conflicts in a peaceful
manner. We must move away from using unilateral military action, and toward diplomacy. War must always be the last resort. As Pres., I will defend this nation, its
people, and America’s strategic interests, but I will do it responsibly.
A: We must root out terrorist funding networks, provide logistical support to better coordinate local and federal law enforcement, and disrupt online radicalization.
While our intelligence and law enforcement agencies must have the tools they need to protect the American people, there must be legal oversight and they must
go about their work in a way that does not sacrifice our basic freedoms.
A: There is no issue more important than reforming our broken campaign finance system, which is increasingly controlled by billionaires and special interests.
We must give Congress and the states the power to regulate money in elections, and we must require full disclosure of all campaign contributions. Ultimately, we
should move toward public funding of federal elections.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Occupation: United States Senator; Campaign Website: http://berniesanders.com; Campaign Email: info@bernie; Campaign Phone:
(802) 862-1505; Campaign Address: Bernie 2016 PO Box 905 Burlington, VT 05402
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The following candidates have qualified for the Texas state ballot according
to the Secretary of State of Texas but did not meet the LWVEF criteria:
Willie L. Wilson, Roque “Rocky” De La Fuente, Calvis L. Hawes, Keith Judd, Star Locke
UNITED STATES
REPRESENTATIVE
2 year term. Must be 25 years or older, a US citizen and a resident of Texas.
Responsible for representing the citizens of his/her district in the US House of
Representatives.
IMMIGRATION: There is general agreement that America’s immigration system is broken. What changes, if any, would you support?
FOREIGN INTERVENTION: Under what circumstances would you support
use of US combat forces in a foreign conflict? What actions do you recommend regarding the threat of global terrorism?
SOCIAL SECURITY/MEDICARE: What changes, if any, would you support to
the Social Security and Medicare programs? Why? What would be the impact
of your changes on retired citizens?
TAX CODE: Some people believe the tax code has become too onerous and
has a negative effect on economic growth. What changes, if any, would you
support?
OTHER ISSUES: What other issues do you believe will be most pressing in
the next session of Congress, and what is your position on these issues?
U.S. Representative, District 24
Jan McDowell (D)
IMMIGRATION: The number of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally is at its lowest point in more than a decade, according to a new study by the Center for Migration Studies. Many have come illegally because there
U.S. Representative is not an adequate system in place allowing them to come legally. To deal with people currently here illegally,
District 24
there needs to be a reasonable path provided for them to attain citizenship. Families should be kept together,
not torn apart. Simultaneously, the legal immigration system needs to be streamlined, and our laws need to be changed to reflect our beliefs
embodied in the Statue of Liberty.
FOREIGN INTERVENTION: As we have seen with Iran, diplomacy can work. Yes, it’s messy, but it’s much less messy than war. Relationships
between nations should be strengthened wherever possible. Our armed forces should only be used as a last resort, to repel an existential threat to our country. As
foreign conflicts flare, maybe our role can be to provide for those who wish to flee. That could be by financing safe havens abroad and/or by welcoming refugees into
this country. If innocent civilians can escape the horror of ISIS, the countries threatened can then take their own steps to remove the terrorists.
pg. 7
U.S. Representative, District 24 - Continued
Jan McDowell (D) - Continued
SOCIAL SECURITY/MEDICARE: Social Security and Medicare provide a safety net and a baseline of support for retired Americans, lifting 14.7 million elderly
Americans out of poverty. Benefits are earned through a lifetime of work. While life expectancy has increased dramatically, the very people who are most dependent on Social Security benefits are also more likely to be working in occupations that make it difficult to continue working into their later years. So an increase in
the retirement age is not the answer. Eliminating the wage cap for the Social Security tax, as has been done for the Medicare tax, is an idea.
TAX CODE: The tax code is one way in which the wealthy are favored over other Americans. Having two types of income...ordinary and capital gains...is preposterous. It means that the money a person earns at his job, or as income in her own business, is taxed at higher ordinary rates. But the money that appears in his
mailbox, as dividends and capital gains, is taxed at much lower capital gains rates. Also, capital gains income isn’t included in the money taxed for Social Security
or Medicare. As a CPA, I will bring understanding to discussions of various ideas on how to make the system more fair.
OTHER ISSUES: I would favor generous incentives, to both businesses and individuals, for measures that help America transition to renewable energy sources.
To ignore climate change is to endanger our national security. Black Lives Matter. Accordingly, our criminal justice system and our voting rights must be overhauled
and made equitable. Common sense gun safety regulations must include universal background checks, a ban on assault weapons, and a limit on high-capacity
ammunition magazines. People working a full-time job should make a living wage and be provided benefits. All people deserve respect.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Phone: (972) 741-3635; Email: Jan@JanMcDowell.com; Website: www.JanMcDowell.com
Candidate information was collected and compiled by the League of Women Voters of Tarrant County.
Eric Mauck (D) - no response
Barbara Mallory Caraway (D)
IMMIGRATION: I do not support amnesty for any undocumented person in America. I do not
support any person “jumping to the front of the line” in front of individuals who have been
U.S. Representative
going through the lengthy process of becoming an American Citizen. I support a “pathway”
District 30
to citizenship that allows the more than 11 million people living in “the shadow” to earn their
way to citizenship. I support a comprehensive plan for citizenship that includes penalties, paying taxes if they are owed, going through extensive
background checks. I also support the “Dream Act”, that provides a pathway to citizenship to undocumented minors who earn a degree from an
institution of higher education or attended college for at least two years, or who have served in the military for at least 4 years.
FOREIGN INTERVENTION: I do not support re-committing American troop to a ground war. Currently Isis is the biggest terrorist threat. There
should be the continuation of bombing Isis’ supply routes. Build on coalitions in the region to train troops to assist in the fight against Isis. I would put more intelligence agency to infiltrate the organization and destroy it at its roots. The use of non-manned artillery is one of the best options to seek and destroy Isis. I will build
a coalition to bring stability to Syria. The stability of Syria will decrease the recruits and destabilize the areas that they control.
SOCIAL SECURITY/MEDICARE: Social Security is a main source of income for seniors, women, and the disabled. It should be protected and strengthened. Lift
the cap from so that everyone pays the same percentage of his or her income into Social Security. Expand SS benefits. Congress should pass legislation that
would limit how much Social Security can be used in other areas. I would put a “lock box” on Social Security. This action would result in a more secure future and
lifestyle for seniors and beneficiaries of these recipients.
TAX CODE: I support the “Buffett rule” raising the tax rates to 30% on American making more than $1 million or more. I also support closing tax loopholes like tax
inversion, that allows U.S. companies to reduce their taxes when merging with foreign companies. Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley support
increasing taxes on the wealthy and closing the inversion tax. These elements would get my support.
OTHER ISSUES: 1. The changing economy from a manufacturing to technology and service based driven economy. 2. Individuals who are not experienced or
trained in this technology based economy. 3. Unfair criminal justice laws that unfairly and unjustly prosecute people, send them to jail or prison and then when
released are unable to get jobs after lawfully serving their time. 4. The income gap between the 1% and the 99% has widened with the loss with the labor’s ability
to organize. Resulting in too few people controlling too much money. 5. Tax policies that favor corporations rather than workers. Congress should pass tax policies and
regulation that benefit more people that jus a few. 1. Strengthen the Dobbs Frank Act that regulate the banks and Wall Street. 2. Increase the taxes on the 1% and put the
funds in infrastructure to include: training programs to assist workers in this technology based economy. Address Criminal Justice Reform.
Contact Candidate: Campaign Phone: (214) 377-9795 Web Site: http://barbaramallorycarawayforuscongess.com Email: carawayforcongress@gmail.com
Brandon J Vance (D)
IMMIGRATION: I believe the next Congress has a moral duty to act on behalf of the 10-12 million people that are here.
Congress must take action, starting with a plan that allows those that have been here for an extended period of time and
US Representative
have lived upright lives to come out of the shadows. Whether it is through amnesty or some other means, we must find a
Dist 30
way to give those that want legal status and have committed themselves to American values, the opportunity to live free.
Additionally, it is well known that many illegal immigrants take jobs that pay them below minimum wage. So to ask people living here, that are close to or below the
poverty line, to pay thousands of dollars in back taxes doesn’t encourage them to come forward. We must accept that those that have been here for years have actually contributed to the U.S. economy through the buying and selling of goods and services, and thus offer a reasonable dollar amount that they can actually afford to
pay to make amends for coming illegally.
FOREIGN INTERVENTION: As a veteran I’m sensitive to both the safety concerns of the nation and the risks to our military in open combat. Ground forces and combat forces should be
a last resort, just as war should be a last resort. When dealing with nation states it is a little easier for the government to plan, strategize, and use diplomacy to prevent open conflict. With
rogue entities such as ISIL, it becomes more problematic and likely that ground troops may be necessary. I support the smart use of our air superiority as the initial means to achieve our
military goals. If air power fails to achieve those goals then we would have to weigh the risks of ground combat versus the final objectives. But if we send troops we must always have a
pg. 8
Brandon J Vance (D) - Continued
clear set of objectives and a plan to achieve them.
SOCIAL SECURITY/MEDICARE: There are numerous proposals that Congress has ignored or claimed to be untenable when it comes to how to fix Social Security. The most major
problem with social security funding is that Congress itself cannot seem to leave the funds alone. With an ever aging population, and retiring baby boomer generation something must
be done to protect the retirement interests of hardworking Americans. Retirees have supported this country during good and bad times and we owe it to them to ensure their retirement
benefits are there. One action that Congress can take immediately is to raise the cap on incomes that are taxed. Right now income received over $118,500 is not taxed. This means that
the wealthiest of Americans pay a small percentage of their income into social security as compared to middle-class Americans. Raising this cap on taxed income to $500,000 or even
removing the cap altogether will drastically improve the solvency of social security and ensure it exists for future generations.
TAX CODE: While we often here talk about simplifying the tax code, in all honesty the tiered structure we currently use works fine for the vast majority of Americans. For everyday Americans they receive their W-2’s, 1098’s, gather their receipts, and file either a 1040/1040A/1040EZ. Most of the headache of filling taxes has been taken away by software. So average
Americans aren’t stymied by their tax bracket, or the implications that it has. The people most upset about the current tax structure are the wealthiest of people and represent a small
minority. They tend to have multiple properties, estate taxes, capital gains & losses, investment interest to deal with, and many other tax issues. While I do believe that there are improvements the IRS can make to be more transparent and make things easier, I do believe that the system works fairly well for the majority of Americans.
OTHER ISSUES: Our justice system is broken, and it is clear that poor and lower middle class Americans have been trampled and abused by it. We have a for-profit prison system in
the United States that incarcerates far more people than any other industrialized nation in the world. We have judges in the pocket of the prison industrial complex, shipping young men
and women off to prison, destroying lives and communities. The “war on drugs” is at best barely working and at worst an abject failure. We treat low-level offenders, not as addicts needing help, but as the bulk of the problem. Rather than pioneering new solutions and new methods to treat addiction and help people, we cast them aside and imprison them. Since 1988
the rising numbers of inmates have dramatically increased the costs to state budgets from $12 billion to $52 billion a year. New ideas, new vision, and bold leadership in Congress are
needed for the scales of justice to be balanced again.
Contact Candidate: Campaign Phone: (214) 868-8631 Web Site: http://www.democracy.com/BrandonVance Email: BJVanceforCongress@gmail.com
Eddie Bernice Johnson (D)
IMMIGRATION: I support comprehensive immigration reform that will foster economic growth,
keep our families and our communities together, promote our national security, and protect workUS Representative
ers’ rights. America’s immigration system is broken and we must forge a bipartisan agreement
Dist 30
to fix it. As for the 11 million undocumented immigrants in this country, many were brought here as
children and know the United States as their only home. Strong families are the cornerstone of our nation, and I believe that provisions to guarantee
family unity must be included in any serious immigration reform bill.
FOREIGN INTERVENTION: While I do not support unilateral action against any nation or group, I understand that America does face threats
from groups like Isis which is an extreme threat to many individuals and organizations. I have an ongoing commitment to global peace through diplomacy and I will
continue to bring focus to the peace and negotiation process.
SOCIAL SECURITY/MEDICARE: Social Security has become an American success story for millions of seniors who have been able to maintain their independence after retirement. The goal should be to strengthen the Social Security trust fund, not dismantle it. In Congress, we must enact policies that strive to eliminate
financial uncertainty and instability afflicting Americans. Social Security is a life-line that should be maintained and fortified. As a steadfast advocate for the elderly,
I have worked to improve the Medicare program so our senior citizens can receive the medical attention they deserve. I believe that Medicare is a vital component
in improving the quality of life for elderly Americans across all walks of life. I have continuously fought to support the program despite attempts to subvert it, and I
remain committed to protecting and preserving Medicare for this and future generations.
TAX CODE: I have long supported tax reforms that support U.S. businesses and provide benefits for the American middle class. For example, I have supported
making permanent the research and development tax credit which would incentivize businesses to increase research spending. I would also support a tax reform
plan protects our most vulnerable segments of the population and the middle class by opposing tax increases on low-income and moderate-income earners. Any
comprehensive tax reform plan that comes before Congress must also protect American interests while keeping our nation competitive abroad. One major obstacle to achieving comprehensive tax reform today is identifying a list of pay-fors to fund any tax reform measures. Any modifications to the federal tax code should
also include a full funding mechanism so that we do not saddle our future generations with even more national debt.
OTHER ISSUES: I believe global climate change, gun violence and income disparity are among the most important issues we face as a nation. I fully support
Congressional action to reduce the output of Greenhouse gases. The science surrounding this issue reached a consensus a long time ago, and the consensus
is that the world is warming and most of the warming is being caused by humans. In regard to gun violence, reasonable restrictions on firearms are essential to
a comprehensive strategy to reduce crime and violence in our society. With the total number of privately owned firearms in circulation estimated to be more than
270 million, we must take reasonable steps to ensure that these firearms do not fall into the wrong hands, while also protecting the Second Amendment rights of
responsible gun owners. Another issue we must address is the growing income gap. Since the 1970’s, we have witnessed a dangerous trend develop where wage
growth for middle and lower income households have become stagnant.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 871-9291; Web Site: http://www.ebjcampaign.com; Email: ebj@ebjcampaign.com
US Representative District 33
Carlos Quintanilla (D)
US Representative
Dist 33
IMMIGRATION: I support a Path to Citizenship. I support DACA/DAPA and the right of the President to act
through an Executive Order. I believe many families were separated through deportations that should not
have happened, many individuals were deported for minor offenses, traffic offenses and non felony offenses their should be a case review for the reintegration of families separated, as a result of those deportations. I would have voted against the Syrian Refugee that was led by fear mongering Republican leadership
and supported by my opponent.
FOREIGN INTERVENTION: I do not support sending troops to fight ISIS, we need to engage Countries in the Middle East to coordinate their
efforts and assume the responsibility of destroying ISIS. The United States should continue to develop inteligence, send advisors, initiate surgical
special ops operations, continue its coordinated air strikes and continue to build the political infrastructure in the middle east.
pg. 9
US Representative District 33 - Continued
Carlos Quintanilla (D) - Continued
SOCIAL SECURITY/MEDICARE: I oppose privatization of social security, oppose raising the retirement age, oppose reducing annual cost of living adjustments
and would increase taxes on the wealthiest Americans by raising the cap on social security taxable income.
TAX CODE: Would support a flat tax of 14.5% with a tax surcharge of 4% on income over $5 million. Increase standard deductions to $15,000, increase personal
deductions to $15,000. Increase the top estate tax to 45% and lower the estate tax exclusion to $3.5 million.
OTHER ISSUES: We need to address unemployment in the poor communities of America and in particular the 13.5% unemployment rate of the poorest Congressional District of Texas. We need to address the high dropout rate in the 33rd District,l. We must address the unacceptable fact that only 8% of high school graduates from the 33rd are graduating from college. We must address the recidivism rate of criminal offenders. We must move foward in legalizing Marijuana and we
must have Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Phone: (214) 524-1011; Email: Info@quintanilla2016.com; Website: Www.Quintanilla2016.com
Marc Veasey (D)
IMMIGRATION: I’m an original co-sponsor of numerous immigration-related bills, including H.R. 15, the Border
Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Joe Garcia in the 113th
US Representative Congress. I am committed to working with my colleagues across the aisle to bring the 11 million undocumented
Dist 33
immigrants out of the shadows. We must work in a bipartisan manner in 2016 to bring a commonsense comprehensive immigration reform bill to the floor for a vote that protect workers, unite families, offers hardworking
immigrants an earned pathway to citizenship and secures our borders.
FOREIGN INTERVENTION: I am prepared to work to defeat ISIL by any definition. I commend President Obama and his Administration in his
efforts to combat terrorism. While ISIL has grown since 2013, the United States is hitting ISIL harder than ever. Although the mission ahead is
difficult, our current strategy has shown success. By intensifying our efforts with our Coalition partners through continued military efforts, cutting off access to
financing, disrupting and exposing their radical messaging, and stabilizing the communities liberated from the group’s control, we have made tangible progress in
terminating ISIL.
SOCIAL SECURITY/MEDICARE: Chained CPI should not be used to calculate cost of living adjustments for Social Security benefits. I sponsored a bill keeping
the current CPI for social security benefits instead of lower “Chained CPI”.
TAX CODE: I reintroduced H.R. 3475, the Grandparents Tax Credit to lessen the financial burden on grandparents that serve as caregivers to their grandchildren,
providing a $500 refundable tax credit to alleviate out-of-pocket costs grandparents take on when they raising their grandchildren. In addition I have cast past
votes in favor of extensions of the deduction for teacher expenses, portions of the mortgage interest deduction, deduction for qualified tuition expenses, the New
Markets tax credit, Work Opportunity tax credit, tax credit, energy-efficient new homes credit, & wind energy credits.
OTHER ISSUES: Addressing the issues affecting women’s economic security, including pay disparities, must be a priority- particularly those affecting women in
minority families. In addition, common sense gun reform will more than likely take center stage following President Obama’s recent executive orders. I support
measures to expand and strengthen the use of background checks and increase investments in mental health to ensure patients get the help they need while also
ensuring those who may inflict harm on themselves or others cannot obtain firearms.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Phone: (817) 446-8222; Email: Campaign@marcveasey.com; Website: www.marcveasey.com
RAILROAD
6-year term. Must be at least 25 years old, a Texas resident, and a registered voter.
Regulates the oil & gas industry, gas utilities, pipeline safety, safety in the liquefied
petroleum gas industry, & surface coal and uranium mining in Texas.
COMMISSIONER
EDUCATION: State your education
BACKGROUND: What training, experience, and characteristics qualify you
for this position?
TRANS-PECOS NATURAL GAS PIPELINE: How would you balance the
environmental concerns of Big Bend residents related to construction of the
Trans-Pecos Natural Gas Pipeline with oil and gas industry interests?
FRACKING: What are the main health and safety issues related to oil and
gas drilling (fracking) in urban areas, and how would you address them?
OTHER: Aside from the issues above, what are the two most serious issues
the Railroad Commission will face during the next term, and how would you
address them?
Lon Burnam (D) - no response
Grady Yarbrough (D) - no response
Cody Garrett (D) - no response
pg. 10
JUSTICE, SUPREME
6-year term. Must be age 35-74 years, a U.S. citizen, a Texas resident, licensed to
practice law in Texas, a registered voter, & have 10 years experience as a lawyer or
judge. Reviews all death penalty cases & applications for habeas corpus in felony
cases, hears final appeals on criminal cases, & administers publicly funded judicial
and attorney education.
COURT
EDUCATION: Please state your education.
EXPERIENCE: What training, experience, and characteristics qualify you for
this position?
IMPARTIALITY: How do you maintain impartiality, given the need to raise
funds for political campaigns?
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS: The Texas Supreme Court oversees and
controls rules and standards for the legal profession. What changes to the attorney disciplinary rules are needed to provide better protection to the public?
JUSTICE FOR ALL: How have you worked toward improving access to
justice for all Texans and what role should the Texas Supreme Court play in
ensuring access to justice?
Justice, Supreme Court Place 3
Mike Westergren (D)
EDUCATION: Juris Doctorate, University of Texas School of Law, 1970; Bachelor of Arts, University of Texas
at Austin, 1967; Associates of Arts, Del Mar College, 1965
Justice, Supreme Court EXPERIENCE: Thirty years with the County of Nueces. Justice of the Peace, County Attorney and 214th
Place 3
District Court Judge. Private practice as attorney and mediator since 2001.
IMPARTIALITY: Preference for small contributions. I pledge to recuse myself if large contributor comes before the Court if I am elected.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS: Increase non-lawyer citizen participation in the process.
JUSTICE FOR ALL: The Supreme Court of Texas is already engaged in significant activity to improve access to justice for all as evidenced by
recognition of various civil rights organization. However, we can always do more.
Contact the Candidate: Campaign Phone: (361) 765-6828; Web Site: http://westergren.com; Email: mike@westergren.com; Address: 2033 18th Street Corpus
Christi, Texas 78404
Candidate information was collected and compiled by the League of Women Voters of Texas.
Dori Contreras Garza (D)
EDUCATION: Pharr San Juan Alamo High School – May 1976; University of Texas at Austin – BBA in
Accounting, December 1980; University of Houston Law Center – Juris Doctorate, May 1990.
EXPERIENCE: I have served thirteen years on the 13th Court of Appeals. I have authored over sixPlace 5
teen hundred opinions, and I have participated in more than five thousand cases as a panel member. I
have exhibited the strong work ethic and even-handed temperament that is necessary in all appellate judges.
IMPARTIALITY: I maintain impartiality by disregarding the identities of the parties, lawyers and judges that are involved in each case. I make my
decisions based on the law and the facts of each case, and nothing else. I firmly believe that voters and campaign contributors want, first and foremost, to have a jurist on the court who will treat them fairly and impartially, and who will apply the law accordingly.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS: I believe that the disciplinary rules which currently exist are adequate to protect the public. However, what seems to be lacking in some
cases is proper enforcement of the rules. At times, attorneys that violate the rules in significant ways are able to avoid proper discipline.
JUSTICE FOR ALL: In my twenty-six years of practice, I have volunteered through various groups to provide pro bono assistance to individuals who could not afford legal
services. The Texas Supreme Court should continue supporting the Texas Access to Justice Commission, whose services are vital to low-income Texans, and adopt the proposed amendment to Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145, which would provide greater protections to indigent litigants.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (956) 655-9206; Web Site: http://justicedori.com; Email: justicedori@gmail.com; Address: PO Box 1457 Edinburg, Tx 78540
During Early Voting in Person (Tuesday Feb 16 through Friday Feb 26)
Dallas County voters can vote at any location in the County that is convenient.
List of Early Voting Locations on page 3 of this Voters Guide.
pg. 11
EDUCATION: High School - College Station ISD College - Rice University Law School - University of
Texas Law School
EXPERIENCE: I have practiced in the Texas county, district, appellate, and federal courts. I am a
Place 9
mother, teacher, counselor, and graduate of the school of hard knocks. I struggle every day to be kind
in the face of unkindness, patient in the face of impatience, and rational in the face of irrationality.
IMPARTIALITY: I haven’t solicited any funds. This is my first candidacy, and I don’t have a campaign organization behind me. Neither am I
wealthy. I just think the position needs someone who is inclined to be fair, and has a breadth of experience to add to the written letter of the law.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS: The DRs do protect the public. However, the conflict rules need to be clarified, for the better guidance of professionals as well as
the public protection. As they currently are used, the conflict rules are impeding the movement of attorneys across roles in the bar. This is leading to the increasingly hostile division between lawyers. We should be amicable professionals.
JUSTICE FOR ALL: Justice Hecht is spearheading an effort to make legal work more affordable. I fear that effort will be at the expense of the smaller firms. I’d like
to propose that lawyers get CLE credit for pro bono time. Frequently Pro Bono work involves fields that are new to the lawyer - which helps expand their knowledge. It would benefit both the participant and the public.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (979) 922-8825; Email: bnnahrobinson@aol.com
Savannah Robinson (D)
JUDGE TEXAS COURT OF
CRIMINAL APPEALS
judge. Hears appeals on civil and criminal cases from lower courts in its district.
EXPERIENCE: What training, experience, and characteristics qualify you for this position?
ACCOMPLISHMENT: Describe an accomplishment of which you are proud
and how it would help make you a better justice on this court.
OTHER: Aside from the issues above, what are the two most pressing issues
facing the Court in the next term, and how would you address them?
Judge Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Place 2
Lawrence “Larry” Meyers (D) - no response
Betsy Johnson (D) - no response
Robert Burns (D)
EDUCATION: 1990 Juris Doctor, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas 1986 Bachelor of Arts, Austin College, Sherman, Texas 1982 graduate of Richardson High School, Richardson, Texas
Judge Texas Court of
EXPERIENCE: Criminal District Judge 2007 to the present time. Attorney in private practice 1998 to 2007.
Criminal Appeals Place 6 My practice was almost all criminal defense, both state and federal and appellate. Assistant DA in Dallas
1990-1997. Board Certified in Criminal Law since 1996. I would bring a balanced approach.
IMPARTIALITY: My fundraising is very limited and I do not allow it to affect my impartiality. Texas has elected judges and while I might not agree
with our system, I’m bound to work within it.
ACCOMPLISHMENT: In addition to my regular trial court duties, i preside over Dallas County’s DIVERT court; a pre adjudication diversion and treatment program.
DIVERT teaches first time low level drug offenders how to live a clean and sober lifestyle. Upon completion of the program, their record can be expunged. The
program reduces recidivism greatly and save taxpayer dollars. Having some compassion for nonviolent offenders would make me a better Judge on the Court of
Criminal Appeals.
OTHER: Basic fairness for both sides in our criminal justice system. Too many rights are not protected by labeling them “harmless” or “waived.” After presiding
over two exonerations and then reviewing the procedural missteps that led to those wrongful convictions, it’s very clear that appellate courts that overlook procedural unfairness contribute to the problem of wrongful convictions.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 653-5902; Email: rburns@dallascounty.org; Address: 133 N. Riverfront Blvd LB38 Dallas, TX 75207
If you are a person with a disability and have questions about your voting rights, call: 1-888-796-VOTE.
pg. 12
STATE
LEGISLATOR
2 year term. Must be 21 or older, a US citizen, resident of Texas and the district
represented. Responsible for representing the citizens of the district in the Texas
House of Representatives.
EDUCATION: What changes, if any, should be made to public education and
its funding in Texas? What will be the benefits of your proposal(s)?
HEALTH CARE: Texas has chosen not to expand Medicaid using Federal
funds under the Affordable Care Act. Do you agree or disagree with this decision? Why?
TRANSPORTATION: What are the main transportation needs in Texas, and
how should they be funded?
the next session of the Texas Legislature and what is your position on these
issues?
State Representative, District 100
Eric Johnson (D) - no response
Laura Irvin (D)
EDUCATION: Texas must improve public education. In the annual “Quality Counts” report from “Education
Week”, Texas was ranked 43rd in the nation. We ranked 45th in school finance and 49th in pupil spending. We
State Representative were ranked 50th in a subcategory on children whose parents speak fluent English. State Legislators should
District 102
agree with 600 Texas school districts and stop spending tax payer money appealing Judge Dietz’ decision that
our school financing system is “inadequate, inequitable and unconstitutional”. Texas ought to expand Pre-K and full day Kindergarten to include all
children. Studies show that Pre-K education is directly correlated to success in later school years. An educated child becomes an educated adult.
Companies that are looking to relocate take into account adequate public schools for their employees’ children. Not only that, new Texas businesses and growing existing businesses require an educated workforce.
HEALTH CARE: I agree with hospital administrators, Dallas County Commissioners Court and the conservative Dallas Citizens Council (“DCC”) that Texas should
accept federal Medicaid expansion. The DCC states, “A vital city is a healthy city”. By accepting over $100 billion in federal dollars available, we can provide Medicaid coverage to families earning less than $23,850 who cannot afford to buy their own insurance. We are paying for other states to have medical insurance, yet
we do not include our fellow Texans. The working poor in Dallas County have Parkland as their only resource for healthcare. Texas is the only state in the union
that has 20% of its citizens uninsured. We are judged by how we treat the elderly, the young and the disadvantaged. Texas is doing poorly in all of these areas.
TRANSPORTATION: Texas’ most pressing transportation needs are maintaining our existing highway system and expanding our roads in congested areas. Texas
needs an effective transportation system that supports, enables and promotes our economy and communities. We need to: • Expand our urban and rural surface
transportation infrastructure with toll-free new road construction. • Develop a state rail plan for Texas to be eligible for federal high speed rail funding. • Use the
Mobility Fund to convert existing freight lines into passenger rail. • Legislate that the State of Texas receive at least 50% of the net proceeds derived from tolls collected from toll road operators • Oppose gas tax diversions. Gas tax should only be used for transportation projects. • Improve mass transit to lower the need for
roads and to improve air quality.
OTHER ISSUES: The constituents in House District 102 are appalled about the new laws concerning open carry and guns on college campuses. Common sense
tells us that guns are inappropriate in classrooms, dorm rooms, psychiatric hospitals, grocery stores and public parks, but the current representative of our district
voted for guns in all of these places. I will support legislation for gun background checks, closing gun show loopholes, gun safety technology, and gun safety education. As an advocate of local control, I will support legislation to allow cities to decide if they want open carry and all universities, not only private ones, to decide
if they want guns on their campuses
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 415-4761; Web Site: http://www.laurairvinfortexas.com; Email: laurairvinfortexas@gmail.com
Special provision for active-duty military or living overseas
If you or family members are active-duty military or living overseas, you are welcome to use the
regular vote by mail process through your home county, but you can also take advantage of
special provisions available to you through the Federal Postcard Application (FPCA). Information
about FPCA and the required application form can be found on-line at votetexas.gov/militaryoverseas-voters. The FPCA application must be filled out and received by the County no later than
Friday, February 19.
pg. 13
EDUCATION: Inadequate funding for public education is the primary issue in an ongoing lawsuit against the
state by more than 600 school districts, who argue that state lawmakers have failed to allocate enough money to
State Representative educate a rapidly growing number of non-English-speaking and economically disadvantaged students, who are
more expensive to educate. The Texas Supreme Court is expected to rule on the state’s appeal sometime this
District 103
year. I wholeheartedly agree with the plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the state, as the Texas legislature has consistently underfunded public education. If Texas is forced to come up with an equitable system of funding public education, it will level the playing
field by giving equal opportunities to children in all school districts in Texas. We will also see a huge increase in the number of students who will
can attend college, graduate and become more financially viable and productive members of society, thereby contributing to the economic stability
Rafael Anchia (D)
of the state.
HEALTH CARE: I strongly disagree, as the decision to not expand Medicaid in Texas means that the state loses an estimated $100 billion in federal money over a
decade, while absorbing $5.5 billion in annual costs for treating uninsured people. Parkland Hospital, for instance, has $765 million in uncompensated care costs
annually from treating the uninsured, $580 million of which would be brought in by Medicaid expansion monies. The decision not to expand Medicaid is financially
irresponsible and puts politics before the best interests of residents of our state.
TRANSPORTATION: Texas continues to attract over 1,000 people a day, which puts an enormous strain on our roads and bridges. Legislators are tasked with
finding funding to build roads and repair bridges that are in danger of falling apart. In 2008, it was estimated that Texas would need to invest $315 billion in infrastructure by 2030, an average of $14.3 billion annually. Transportation officials also estimate that annual road and bridge spending by all levels of government
is falling $32 billion short of what is needed. However, in 2015, Texas voters approved Prop 7, dedicating about $3 billion annually in future years to building the
transportation infrastructure that is needed to keep up with growth in population, commerce and freight movements. This means that an additional $2.5 billion will
flow into the State Highwat Fund starting in FY 2018. The 2nd increment of about $500 million a year will be available starting in FY 2020. This doesn’t meet all our
transportation needs, but it’s a start.
OTHER ISSUES: Energy - Texas will have to decide how to comply with President Obama’s Clean Power Plan and how to utilize more renewable energy sources.
Immigration Issues - The use of the term “sanctuary cities,” a term that cannot be defined by those who use it, has become a basis for discriminative legislation
that will divide communities and make policing more difficult for law enforcement throughout the state. Likewise, border security continues to be a fiercely contested issue. Vouchers - The issue of school vouchers, which is the means by which public tax dollars would be siphoned off to private schools, has been an issue that
has been debated since before I joined the legislature in 2005. I opposed, and will continue to oppose, this ill-advised use of public tax dollars. Budget - If oil and
gas revenues continue to fall, there will be a huge debate over how we prioritize the spending of those revenues, most likely resulting in less money for all areas of
spending by the state government.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 202-9493; Web Site: http://rafaelanchia.com; Email: info@rafaelanchia.com
Roberto Alonzo (D) - no response
Terry Meza (D)
EDUCATION: Past legislatures reduced funding for public education and failed to restore that funding
to its previous levels last session. Public education is not only the foundation of democracy in America
State Representative
but also a necessity for economic development and jobs in Texas. As your legislator, I will fight to have a
strong, well-funded public education system.
District 105
HEALTH CARE: Texas made a mistake in not expanding Medicaid using federal funds. As a result, our
state has lost billions of dollars that would have helped to provide our residents with better health care through additional funds for its doctors and
hospitals. As your legislator, I will support the expansion of Medicaid in Texas.
TRANSPORTATION: Transportation has always been an important issue in HD105. It is the home of the DFW Airport, DART rail and bus lines,
major interstates like I-30 & I-20. Adequate funding for the maintenance of Texas roads is important. However, Texas cannot build enough roads, or even enough
toll roads, to meet its transportation needs. We must look toward supporting mass transit options not only for transportation but also for our environment. This can
be achieved through public sector incentives for private sector investment.
OTHER ISSUES: The most pressing issue in the next session will come in the form of its main responsibility - approving the budget, complicated by the State’s
underestimation of revenue, due to falling gasoline prices. A battle will be set between those who will take the easy route of cutting services and those who will
work to find a way to ensure adequate funding continues. Another issue is the erosion of voting rights in Texas. We should look at ways to encourage our citizens
to vote versus the past initiatives to discourage full participation. In a related issue, Texas needs to examine our method of redistricting so that voters choose their
representatives rather than the other way around. It is estimated that there are only 5 competitive house districts in the entire state, with HD105 being one of them.
Also we need a change in political will to do something about predatory lending in such a way to encourage small loans without preying on those in need. Water,
women’s healthcare are others.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (972) 914-9043; Web Site: http://voteterrymeza.com; Email: vote@voteterrymeza.com
i
get them.
pg. 14
EDUCATION: The failure to adequately invest in our public schools is one of the most critical issues facing our
state today. The State Legislature cut more than $5 billion from our public schools and failed to fully restore the
State Representative cuts. Texas now has an abysmal bottom-third ranking in spending-per-pupil. During the 2015 legislative session, my opponent voted for a budget in which the spending per student in Texas, when adjusted for inflation,
District 107
will actually decrease by 2017. This is unacceptable. Texas families deserve better. I will fight to: • Fully restore
budget cuts to our children’s public schools; • Improve student to teacher class size ratios; • Recruit and retain the best and brightest people into
the teaching profession; • Reduce high-stakes testing and give teachers the freedom to teach; • Demand Accountability; • Invest in full-day PreKindergarten and early childhood education; • Ensure that textbooks accurately reflect history; and • Decrease the cost of college for students.
HEALTH CARE: I support acceptance of federal funds to expand Medicaid. Our state has left billions of dollars on the table and thereby shifted the costs of uncompensated care onto to the backs of local property taxpayers. Texas has one of the highest rates of uninsured individuals in the country; and over 1 million Texans have been
deprived of affordable health insurance. Studies show that accepting federal funds would create between 200,000 to 300,000 new jobs per year in Texas. We, Texans,
have paid into the program, yet are not seeing the benefit of it because of political gamesmanship. We need to put partisanship aside to do what’s best for our state.
TRANSPORTATION: Our transportation infrastructure, highways, and maintenance thereof need to be evaluated and adequately and properly funded given the
population growth. We need to determine which funding solutions are sustainable and evaluate new transportation options to address future needs.
OTHER ISSUES: Public education is clearly one of the most critical issues as further described above. Creating jobs and economic prosperity for Texans will be an
important issue. Women’s access to healthcare and equal pay for equal work for women will also be important matters. As the former Chair of a local Chamber of
Commerce, I understand the needs of small and mid-sized businesses. I believe we must provide tools to level the playing field for small and mid-sized businesses
and to spur job creation and innovation. Having grown up in a barrio in Dallas, I understand what it is like to have lived in a low-income neighborhood and understand the
perseverance and resilience of low-income families. About 1 in 6 people in House District 107 lived in poverty in 2013. I believe we must help the less fortunate by working
with local government and organizations to holistically address the poverty crisis in our community. I believe Texas workers should be able to earn a living wage.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Web Site: http://www.VictoriaforTexas.com; Email: info@VictoriaforTexas.com
Victoria Neave (D)
Joe Farkus (D) - no response
Helen Giddings (D)
EDUCATION: The legislature must find the will to adequately fund education. During the 84th legislature I
worked with Chairman Aycock on a plan that would allow for all school districts to receive additional funding.
State Representative The Appropriations subcommittee on Education of which I am Vice Chair, set aside the funding. Unfortunately
District 109
the majority of the legislature opposed the plan. The plan should be presented again. I will continue to fight for
the needed funding to ensure that all children get a good education.
HEALTH CARE: I totally disagree. Texas has the highest percentage of uninsured persons in any state. We cost our state billions of dollars by not
being a part of the Affordable Care Act and our citizens suffer needlessly. We are pushing the cost of health care down to counties.
TRANSPORTATION: We must maintain our roads. We must build new roads to relieve the most congested areas. We have passed two propositions in the last
few years and eliminated most diversions. We are on the right path.
OTHER ISSUES: Education is a continuing concern. Full day universal prekindergarten is important to the young people in our state. Higher education must be
more affordable. We need to continue efforts to keep students in school and to decriminalize disciplinary problems. We must provide better protection for our children in foster care. The environment, economy, health care, veterans issues, job training and reentry are additional issues.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 943-4120; Web Site: http://www.helengiddings.net; Email: hgmultiplex@sbcglobal.net
Sandra Crenshaw (D)
EDUCATION: I had the privilege of attending a meeting with DISD Trustee Joyce Foreman regarding a specific use permit zoning case for a charter school in her district. Initially, I thought this was just another “Not
in My Backyard” situation. I was shocked to learn that one out of two students in District 6 attends charter
District 110
schools. This equation has a great negative impact on funding for DISD and the reduction in student attendance triggers reduction in staff and service funding. Further, i learned that charter schools are not accountable to a local elected board to hear
student and parent grievances. The students in this area come from the highest socially economic households in the City of Dallas African American community. The location of the proposed Charter school site sits at the cusp of three council districts literally blocks away from each other.
Therefore, if the application for this site is denied, the charter school operators in question could easy choose another site a few blocks //
HEALTH CARE: I do not agree with Texas position on expanding Medicaid. My life experiences give me an advantage and insight that most who seek office do
not have. I had a stroke that limited my employment abilities. In December 2014, I had life threatening emergency surgery at Charleston Methodist Hospital. Of
course in emergencies, the hospital could not turn me down. But the surgeon could not adequately provide post surgery outpatient services with limited number
of visits paid by Medicaid insurance. Primary care doctors expressed concerns about the tons of paperwork required for a limited 15 minute visit. Medical supplies
and prescriptions are very limited. There was a glitch in my paper work and my Medicaid was canceled while I am still in need of a reversal surgery. Talk about a
nightmare. I would like to see less paperwork.
pg. 15
State Representative, District 110 - Continued
Sandra Crenshaw (D) - Continued
TRANSPORTATION: While I recognize that toll roads and highway construction projects provide jobs that boost the economy, I think we are not doing enough
to encourage public transportation. I also believe that there is not adequate attention is given to public transportation service delivery which further makes public
transportation unappealing.
OTHER ISSUES: I hope to encourage the community to speak more loudly for adequate funding to address mental illness. We cannot lower domestic violence
when a spouse is mentally ill. We cannot reduce crime if we ignore drug abuse. We cannot produce a competent workforce until we recognize mental illness in the
learning environment. While celebrating the MLK Holiday, his accomplishments demonstrate that those who suffer from depression and other mental illness can
lead productive lives. Dr. King suffered from depression all of his life, a plague I too have not escaped, yet King served his country and left a lasting legacy.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 498-5298; Email: lacpac2011@yahoo.com
Toni Rose (D)
EDUCATION: Texas does not fund public education adequately. Providing enough funding to educate children
regardless of their location can be improved by closing the gaps for all kids to receive a good education instead
State Representative of a tier system. In addition, the system can be improved by funding full day pre-k for Texas children.
District 110
HEALTH CARE: I disagree with the decision not to expand Medicaid. Texas must address the 1 million residents
who continue to go uninsured because of the state’s rejection of Medicaid expansion. Failure to expand Medicaid has meant the loss of more than
$90 billion to the Texas economy as well as the many citizens who have will not have health care.
TRANSPORTATION: It is my understanding from information received from the Texas Dept. of Transportation as well as the North Texas Council of Governments that our transportation needs will exceed what the two constitutional amendments in 2013 and 2015 will provide. This is directly related to the
tremendous growth in our area. The Legislature continues to view transportation and mobility a critical issue to the continued growth and development of our area
and therefore the Legislature will continue to look for creative ways to fund transportation projects. I would support toll roads as an option to finance roads when
necessary. However, I do not believe that should be the only option. I think there are other options that should be explored also, for example, public/private ventures, local and state government partnerships
OTHER ISSUES: Issues of mental health and the delivery of services that protect basic human needs such as food security, child safety and protection for disabled adults will be a focus of the next legislative session. With my appointments to the Select Committee on Mental Health and as Vice Chair of Human Services,
I will have a voice at the table for these very important issues.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 280-1869; Web Site: http://www.votetonirose.com; Email: toniroseforhd110@gmail.com
Yvonne Davis (D) - no response
Jack Blackshear (D)
EDUCATION: Proposal 1. Restore the annual budget to the level prior to the cut. It is appalling Texas is in the
LOWER 20% ranking nationwide. Proposal 2. Teachers need the authority to remove disrespectful student/s
State Representative from the classroom. If their attitude doesn’t improve, a more forceful discipline, such as expulsion. With a
District 112
better learning environment, teachers can teach and students will learn. Proposal 3. Increase the pay for all
teachers to a level comparable with other states. We won’t lose teachers to other professions and it may be possible to recruit. Proposal 4. Reduce
the number of tests students are required to take. This forces teachers to teach the tests if their evaluation is based on student scores. FUNDING. It
is already. In place, just don’t take from their budget for some other project.
HEALTH CARE: I strongly disagree with the decision to not expand Medicaid using Federal funds. If we can help just one family to have health care, then I believe
we should. The underprivileged people can’t afford to buy private insurance and this would get it done for them. I am appalled and we should be ashamed that the
richest and most powerful country in the world does not take care of ALL its citizens.
TRANSPORTATION: Needs. Repair the roads and highways. The state must determine project priorities then assign all contractors to the highest priority. When
it is finished, go to the next project. This will alleviate traffic back-up for other jobs being done simultaneously. Funding. Add an additional tax on fuel. Vehicles are
the most users and damaging. Fast rail. Area Rapid Transportation in cities is already doing a good job. If we expand to fast rail to major cities, this could take
vehicles off the roads and highways, making it less congested and damaging.
OTHER ISSUES: 1. Establish sensible gun control and close the loophole for gun dealers. 2. Where the state can help veterans, especially returning warriors with
problems of any kind, we all must help. 3. Term limits for political positions. 4. Immigration reform. 5. Easier pathway to citizenship. 6. Campaign finance reform. 7.
Pay equity for women. 8. Raise minimum wage.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 679-7175
pg. 16
Rhetta Andrews Bowers (D)
EDUCATION: I believe that teacher wages and salaries should be increased. Public education funding should be restored so that teachers will have the tools to run their classrooms and
not need to use part of their salary to ensure students have everything they need to make the
District 113
atmosphere conducive to learning. Funding should be used to make sure that Texas students
have access to the cutting edge technology, that will put our students ahead of the rest. Students are truly the leaders of tomorrow and without the
proper tools will be well behind and college readiness will not be a part of the equation. We need continuing education training to keep our teachers up to date and nurture the good teachers we have in our districts. The demands on teachers today are turning the good teachers away and
students are missing out on the great ones that really care about them. The benefits of my proposal will provide a real three-legged stool where the parent, student
and teacher will all play a part.
HEALTH CARE: I do not agree with the state’s decision not to expand Medicaid. I believe that every citizen is due quality healthcare with coverage that would afford them a visit with the best physicians that could devote the attention necessary to keep our citizens healthy and well. Every one should be able to see a doctor
when they are ill and not feel the pressure of not being able to meet the financial obligations or cover needed medical procedures. When you are able to focus on
the need and getting well, while not worrying about who’s care you are in nor the bottom line, healing becomes easy.
TRANSPORTATION: Texas is growing by leaps and bounds. With growth comes added congestion and the need for expanded highways. People need open
avenues to travel to and from home and work as well as access through cities and throughout the state that will allow for importing and exporting with ease. A solid
infrastructure and well planned city alleviates the need to rebuild so soon. I believe the funding should come from two revenue streams. One of them would be
better allocation of government funding already set aside for this process while the other resources would come from a bond that would not require a tax increase.
That would paid back over time and would allow the work and improvements to be done without putting additional strain on citizens.
OTHER ISSUES: I believe jobs and increased wages are issues that will need much attention in the next session of the Texas Legislature. I believe in equal pay
for equal work and that women’s wages should reflect the work we do and not be based on gender. I have talked to many residents in my HD 113 that have to work
two to three jobs to make ends meet. Families are struggling and don’t believe they can afford to live a quality life without the money to put food on the table, to
keep their lights on and make sure their kids are clothed and comfortable. Texas families are hardworking and better paying jobs would allow them the quality time
needed to refresh and restore and not feel the stress of not being able to provide for the families. The citizens of our great state are an honest people that believe
in working for what we have, but not having anything left after pay day makes it hard to keep going. Our citizens deserve better and a real chance at the American
dream.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (972) 379-8080; Email: bowers4TX@gmail.com
Jim Burke (D)
EDUCATION: To revisit education at all levels to help students achieve their best. Also to reduce, if possible, college tuition and ancillary costs.
State Representative HEALTH CARE: I respectfully disagree with thos decision. Texas should get what it can from the Federal GovDistrict 114
ernment.
TRANSPORTATION: More and improved public transportation. And not fund improvements via toll roads.
OTHER ISSUES: I try to view issues from the perspective of ordinary voters. And will do all I can to make their lives better.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 502-5524; Email: JavaJimBurke@gmail.com
Dorotha M Ocker (D)
EDUCATION: Texas needs to adequately fund our public schools, which we are currently failing to do. Adequate funding for our public schools is also needed at the college level, too. Our public colleges are becomState Representative
ing so expensive that we are losing some of our top talent to other states where they can get a quality college
District 115
education cheaper than our own public colleges. I am a proud graduate of Texas A&M University, and back
when I attended, I could afford it based on scholarships and a part-time job. It doesn’t work that way anymore. Texans have had our quality public
colleges turned into places that are out of financial reach for hard-working families. One in ten parents of University of Texas students have to take
out a loan for their children to be able to afford to attend. One out of ten. That is outrageous. It’s time to turn our colleges back into places where Texans can afford to attend without being saddled with decades of debt -- for them and their parents!
HEALTH CARE: I disagree with the decision to not expand Medicaid. As Texans, we need to make sure that all Texans have support during the rough times that
we all occasionally go through. I know a lot of very successful Texans who have at one time or another needed medicaid, and we need to make sure that we use
those resources presented to us in order to help out our fellow Texans.
TRANSPORTATION: Texas needs to stop building toll roads and starting building good roads. We need to repair the roads we have, expand them in order to
reduce traffic, and stop relying on expensive toll roads to accommodate the needs of Texans who are just trying to go to work and get their kids to school. We used
to be able to fund roads, and now we suddenly can’t because Texas has decided to cut blank checks to some of the richest companies. Decent roads isn’t a new
request. We used to have decent roads. We just need to stop saying that it’s acceptable to give blanks checks and better to give citizens what we used to have -good roads that didn’t require a toll tag.
OTHER ISSUES: The most pressing issues for me are higher wages, equal pay, and affordable college. I’m tired of seeing all of our tax dollars go to pay for blank
checks for large, multi-national companies and ready to see it go to Texans and services that Texans want and need.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 390-5715; Web Site: http://dorothaocker.com; Email: ockerhd115@gmail.com
pg. 17
JUSTICES,
COURT OF APPEALS
practice law in Texas, registered voter, & have 10 years experience as a lawyer or
this position?
Justice, 5th Court of Appeals District, Place 4
Gena Slaughter (D) - no response
Dennise Garcia (D) - no response
CIVIL DISTRICT
COURT JUDGE
Judicial District Court Judges are elected to four year terms. They must be at least
25 years old, citizens, registered voters, residents of the district, and have been a
practicing lawyer or judge for at least four years.
COURT EFFICIENCY: Do you think the court can be run more effectively,
efficiently and equitably to provide swift justice and, if so, what improvements
would you propose?
ACCESS TO JUSTICE: Do you think anything needs to be done to improve
access to justice for low income residents in civil cases?
IMPARTIALITY: If elected, how will you maintain impartiality and avoid conflicts of interest when raising funds for political campaigns?
the District Courts and how would you address them?
District Judge, 14th Judicial District Court
Eric Moye (D)
COURT EFFICIENCY: Absolutely. My Court staff efficiently processes trial notices immediately after a Defendant
has answered. We set trials within eleven months of that filing and regularly set hearings within ten days of an
District Judge, 14th
attorney’s request. I rule the same day of a hearing in virtually every case I hear. Consequently, we have had the
Judicial District Court most efficient District Court in Dallas, with the smallest number of active cases for several years
ACCESS TO JUSTICE: I do. I am proud to have been appointed by the Supreme Court of Texas to serve as a
Commissioner of the Texas Access to Justice Commission. We seek to ensure that all Texas residents are afforded access to the Legal system.
Moreover, I am proud to be a founding Member of the Board of Trustees of the University of North Texas School of Law. This Law School has a s
a part of its mission the development of a new legal education paradigm, with an emphasis of providing attorneys for underserved populations
IMPARTIALITY: Fundraising must NEVER be connected in any manner to the service of Justice. We do not permit the functions to ever overlap.
OTHER ISSUES: I am greatly concerned about the erosion of the right to trial by jury as guaranteed in the Constitution.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Web Site: http://www.judgemoye.com
Ken Molberg (D)
COURT EFFICIENCY: The 95th District Court is one of the most efficient in Dallas County. All personnel of the
Court work hard to insure that justice is swift but fair. Technological improvements in the docket management
system are ongoing, and the implementation of these improvements adds to the efficiency of the Court. As DalJudicial District Court las County’s Local Administrative District Judge for all 39 district courts in the county, I have been in the forefront of promoting and implementing technological advancements in all our district courts.
ACCESS TO JUSTICE: Absolutely. We must support and expand our state and local equal access to justice programs. The Dallas Bar Association does an excellent job in this area, and the members of our legal profession must be in the front lines in promoting the ability of low income
individuals to secure access to our civil justice system. They must do so by volunteering their professional skills and by contributing financial aid.
Personally, I give at least $1,000 annually to local efforts, and I also contribute on the state level.
IMPARTIALITY: I subscribe to the Campaign Fairness Act and adhere to the limits set forth therein. Beyond that, I practiced law in our community for more than
three decades before I took the bench. As a result, it is not unusual that I know most individuals--on both sides of the docket--who appear before me, and it is common that
both sides of the docket contribute to my campaign events. Contributions do not affect and have not affected my judgment, as my largest contributors would attest.
OTHER ISSUES: In the civil courts, the implementation of technological advances related to docket management must continue. I will continue my efforts in this
regard as a member of the IT Executive Governance Committee for Dallas County and as the Local Administrative District Judge for the county. Additionally, all
pg. 18
District Judge, 95th Judicial District Court - Continued
Ken Molberg (D) - Continued
of our judges need adequate support. Ultimately, in the case of state district courts, this requires adequate legislative funding that has been absent over the last
many years. This issue can only be addressed in the elections of those individuals we send to Austin to represent us. Our courts are traditionally underfunded, and
only a legislative response can correct this.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 748-5276; Web Site: http://www.judgekenmolberg.com; Email: judgemolberg@gmail.com
District Judge, 162nd Judicial District Court
Phyllis Lister Brown (D)
District Judge, 162nd
Judicial District Court
COURT EFFICIENCY: Yes. Promote transparency in our Court and enact reforms that will restore citizen’s faith in the Courts and implement procedures that ensure citizens have equal access to justice.
ACCESS TO JUSTICE: Yes. One of our greatest challenges in restoring public confidence in the Law
and our Courts is ensuring equal access to the Courts. We need to review access to our Courts and en-
sure equal access for all individuals.
IMPARTIALITY: As a sitting judge, I am personally accountable for my own behavior and I strive to serve with honesty and integrity. I believe in complete
transparency and openness. If ever I believe a donation is made with the intent to gain favor or presents any conflict, the donation is automatically returned.
OTHER ISSUES: I believe the entire legal profession, judges and lawyers, need to rededicate itself to acting with integrity, ethics and professionalism. Judges need
to more faithfully follow the law; serve with honesty and decide each case solely on the law and facts, to interpret the law and not legislate from the bench; promote
transparency in our Courts and enact reforms that will restore citizen’s faith in the Courts.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 653-7348; Web Site: http://www.Phyllislisterbrowncampaign.com; Email: 162nd@judgephyllislisterbrown.com
District Judge, 254th District Court
Marty Jo Taylor (D)
COURT EFFICIENCY: Yes, I believe the Court can be ran more effectively, efficiently, and equitably to provide
swift justice. If a case is still pending after 120 days, a scheduling order should be put in place to ensure all
District Judge, 254th parties will receive swift justice and the court is running effectively and efficiently. Although prove-ups will be
Judicial District Court scheduled daily at the beginning of the docket, prove-ups on uncontested matters will be allowed at any time
the Court is open. Mediation will not be required in cases that do not involve children and property. Expedited
trial settings will also be available for these types of cases. As judge of the 254th District Court, I would make sure beneficial information is available on my website as well as social media. I would also establish set days, in which certain cases are heard. However, I would allow time for special settings on any hearings. On some hearings, telephonic conferences will be available.
ACCESS TO JUSTICE: I do applaud those that have donated their time, money, and resources to provide access to justice. I believe there is always room for improvement. More individuals can receive access to justice if local bar associations and attorneys partner together, to make sure everyone that needs help receives
help. As a volunteer for the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program, I understand the need for individuals to have affordable and quality legal representation. I encourage all attorneys to help in improving access to justice.
IMPARTIALITY: I will be fair and impartial to everyone that comes before my court. I will avoid conflicts of interest by making it clear that any money donated to my
campaign will not affect my decisions. Each person will be treated the same regardless of their contribution or lack thereof to my campaign. No conflict will exist.
OTHER ISSUES: One issue I believe to be pressing is that many people that come to family court are unfamiliar with the process, which could become frustrating, when dealing with sensitive family matters. My desire is to implement an annual community seminar that explains how family courts operates and explains the
entire process of a family court case. I believe this seminar will help individuals that are faced with family law matters and inform and educate them on topics that
they are unaware of. My website will list important information regarding my court. Another issue that I anticipate is individuals being unemployed that have child
support obligations. I plan to implement an annual job fair to help those that are unemployed seek employment. If individuals are employed and can meet their
child support obligation, this would reduce the number of cases filed seeking to enforce child support obligations.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Address: 3102 Maple Avenue Suite 450 Dallas, TX 75201; Campaign Phone: (214) 659-3529; Web Site: http://www.facebook.com/
martyjotaylorforjudge; Email: martyjotaylorforjudge@gmail.com
Darlene Ewing (D)
COURT EFFICIENCY: Efficiency can always be improved. I would propose conducting pre trials via phone and
skype saving time and expense for litigants who now must appear in person. Discovery disputes need to be
District Judge, 254th addressed earlier and more strongly to avoid using them as delay tactics.
Judicial District Court ACCESS TO JUSTICE: I would like to explore creating an attorney position to be used by all the family courts
who would be at the courthouse and would be a consultant for pro se litigants to review their paperwork, explain proper notice procedures, and instruct them how to testify. Community forums could also be used to educate the public on how the system
works and what options are available to address their issues.
IMPARTIALITY: Our system is a political system and that nessitates raising money. But, in my 37 years of litigating at the courthouse I have only
seen a small number of cases where I thought campaign contributions influenced judicial decisions. But, it can happen. I would early on establish that I will rule
solely on evidence. I will not allow an attorney to approach me in an ex parte manner about any pending manner. Generally, I believe the majority of family law attorneys respect the bench and do not attempt to curry favor because of campaign contributions.
OTHER ISSUES: Timely access to the legal system as I previously addressed. Keeping a docket moving requires attention from multiple directions; such as, holding firm to settings when possible, resolving discovery disputes early, using technology to avoid time wasting hearings, and working full days.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Address: 605 US Highway 80E Set. A Sunnyvale , Tx 75182; Campaign Phone: (214) 221-2600; Web Site: http://Facebook. Darlene Ewing campaign; Email: donkeychair@apl.com
pg. 19
CRIMINAL DISTRICT
COURT JUDGE
Criminal District Court Judges are elected to four year terms. They must be at least
access to justice for low income residents in criminal cases?
COURT EFFICIENCY: Do you think the court can be run the court more effectively, efficiently and equitably to provide swift justice and, if so, what improvements would you propose?
the criminal courts and how would you address them?
Dallas County Criminal District Judge, Court No. 2
Marilynn Mayse (D)
Dallas County
Criminal District Judge,
Court No. 2
ACCESS TO JUSTICE: Yes. We need to ensure that Criminal Defense Attorneys are given adequate time
to properly defend their clients.
COURT EFFICIENCY: Swift justice does not equate to justice for all. I would propose that attorneys be
given adequate time to represent their clients. Every case and citizen accused is different and should be
evaluated and handled on an individual basis.
IMPARTIALITY: I will ensure that no one receive favoritism . That will include plea bargains that I believe
are showing favoritism.
OTHER ISSUES: A pressing issue is when the state produces evidence for trial after the pretrial hearing and on the day of or during the trial. This
is highly prejudicial to the citizen accused and causes delays in trial. I would set trials for pretrial and jury trial insisting that all evidence and discovery be exchanged in a timely manner before trial begins.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 573-7660; Web Site: http://Mayseforjudge.com; Email: Mayselaw@yahoo.com
Nancy Kennedy (D)
ACCESS TO JUSTICE: Yes. I would have a blind appointment system as recommended by the American
Bar Association and the Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC). I, as the judge, would have no hand in
DALLAS COUNTY
appointing attorneys to cases other than the initial process of determining if they are qualified. I would assign
CRIMINAL DISTRICT
these duties to my court coordinator and would instruct him or her to follow the wheel system of random apJUDGE, COURT NO. 2
pointments. Too many times in Dallas County this system is not followed and a handful of attorneys get court appointments because they do not take the time to effectively represent their clients and they just advise their clients to plea bargain. Some courts see this as beneficial because it clears their docket without regard for the actual representation of the accused. Also some attorneys accept more than the recommended
caseload set out by the TIDC. In doing so, they are not effectively representing their clients. I would do more to enforce those caseload recommendations.
COURT EFFICIENCY: I will be present on the bench on time and work hard every day. I call this a hands-on approach. It is important for judges to know what is
happening to the cases on their docket. Otherwise, defendants and complainants can wait long periods of time for justice. This costs the taxpayers money and can
lead to unjust results. It is also imperative to enforce limitations on how many times all attorneys reset cases. Setting a policy to do this is one thing, actually enforcing it is another. Without enforcement, cases can be in limbo for years. The stress of these pending cases can wear on all parties. I believe enforcing a policy
to limit this will make the court more efficient. I would identify the cases that have been pending the longest and focus on resolving those cases in cooperation
with defense attorneys and prosecutors. We also need to look at how we are administering bail to prevent punitive pretrial incarceration which costs the taxpayers
money.
IMPARTIALITY: Unfortunately in our current political system, raising money to campaign is necessary to get your message to the voters. Those who know you
well are more likely to support you financially. Therefore, it makes sense that judicial campaigns are largely funded by attorneys. As a judge, my job is to know the
law and apply it fairly and impartially and to not allow any contribution to influence my decision. I will not allow any prior or future political contribution to affect my
impartiality.
OTHER ISSUES: Diversionary programs and programs that keep people out of jail and convictions off their records seem to work well and can reduce recidivism
rates. Dallas County currently has several of these programs in place to assist in this goal and we should maximize these resources. One area that can be improved upon is the treatment of mentally ill defendants throughout the criminal justice system in Dallas County. Currently, too many low-level felony, non-violent
offenders languish in jail. Other counties, with grants from the Texas Indigent Defense Commission, have found ways to alleviate this problem and save the
taxpayers money, all the while providing an excellent system of mental health treatment and legal representation. We should look at these other programs in other
counties and try to adopt or scale them to Dallas County as a whole and not just to one court.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 563-4469; Web Site: http://www.nancykennedyforjudge.com; Email: nancy@kennedyforjudge.com
ii
Before you go to vote, make sure you know where your Polling Location is.
Sometimes Polling Locations change. Find Polling Locations for Early Voting in
Person on page 3 and Election Day at www.DallasCountyVotes.org or call
Dallas County Elections or the League of Women Voters of Dallas.
pg. 20
Dallas County Criminal District Judge, Court No. 2 - Continued
Chika Anyiam (D)
ACCESS TO JUSTICE: Yes I do. At this time, legal aid for low income residents in Texas focuses more on civil matters. The Criminal Justice system is bulging with low income residents/indigent population who make up the majority
Dallas County
of the jail population and those charged with crimes. Funding through legislation like the Chief Justice Pope Act should
be expanded to include education and assistance in areas of criminal justice for minor crimes carrying low penalties, to
Criminal District
major crimes involving long prison sentences. This is important because, a lot of indigent defendants tend to want to cop
Judge, Court No. 2 out to a plea just to get out of jail, even when they haven’t done anything wrong, They need to be educated as to future
consequences of a plea or conviction, so they can ask important questions of their attorneys. Attorneys should be appointed quickly, defendants should appear only on the disposition date, and conditions of release should be geared towards rehabilitation and accountability.
COURT EFFICIENCY: Yes I do. The Judges should keep a closer eye on how many times attorneys reset cases, so inmates don’t sit in jail longer than necessary,
and the court’s docket can move quickly. Competent attorneys should be appointed to represent eligible defendants as quickly as practicable to facilitate early consultation and preparation by counsel. Again, prosecutors should be required to get in touch with the victims immediately the cases are assigned to them, so they can
have quick and meaningful negotiations with defense attorneys with a view to disposing the cases quickly by trial or plea. The court’s clerks should be required to enter
dispositions the same day so eligible inmates are released immediately to the streets or to jail/prison to serve their time. For defendants who are eligible for release on
probation, I would require post plea evaluations for conditions of supervision, so they don’t sit in jail for upwards of three weeks waiting for the evaluation.
IMPARTIALITY: I believe attorneys and the general public have a vested interest in making sure that we elect competent judges to the bench. As such, it is
expected that they will invest in the campaign of a candidate whom they believe will be a competent judge. As a candidate, I do not make any personal promises
to anyone about how I will treat them or people affiliated to them, based on their contribution. My only promise is to be accountable to the public, deliver true and
timely justice to persons appearing before me, including victims, and bring improvements to the court that will facilitate this. If there is any indication that an individual or organization will require that I owe them favors if I get elected, I will not accept their contribution or donation.
OTHER ISSUES: There is always the issue of recidivism among young offenders, the relapse back into criminal behavior after they have been rehabilitated or
sanctioned for prior offenses. I have found that heavy supervision of, and strict conditions of supervision for non-violent offenders is counterproductive, leads to
noncompliance and further sanctions. As a judge, I would focus on mentoring, programs that are result oriented and proven to rehabilitate, rather than propagate
criminal behavior. I would work with other judges, the Commissioner’s Court, and the District Attorney’s office to generate court policies that will improve access to
timely justice for all. The jail population is outrageous, with thousands of indigent non-violent inmates waiting for charges to be filed, for trial dates, to see a lawyer,
and other pretrial issues. I would release eligible inmates on low bonds with appropriate conditions, pending resolution of their cases.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 221-3414; Web Site: http://www.votechikaforjudge.com; Email: chikaforjudge@gmail.com
Gracie Lewis (D)
Dallas County
ACCESS TO JUSTICE: Absolutely. The courthouse needs to be available equally to all litigants regardless of financial status.
Especially, since there are a disproportionate number of people of color within the system. Unfortunately, that means that
there are lots of court appointed attorneys. The courts have a responsibility to make sure that those attorneys are qualified
to do their job. The Indigent Defense Act in Texas has attempted to address this issue but does not go far enough in that it is
Criminal District
voluntary for each court and there is no real oversight and consequences for the courts. Some Texas counties have taken
Judge, Court No. 3 this duty out of the individual courts and placed it in the hands of a neutral court administrator. However, the list of qualified attorneys is determined by the sitting judges in that county and, more importantly, the judges have sole control over the removal
of those unfit attorneys from the list.
COURT EFFICIENCY: Courts run effectively, efficiently, and equitably when the judge sets the standard. The judge has to arrive at the posted times for the court
and be ready and qualified to address the issues before the court. Every member of the staff has a specific duty and should be held responsible for that duty. I have made an effort
to hire quality staff and then I allow them to do their job. My court is a very well run court and I thank God for my staff.
IMPARTIALITY: I am the incumbent in this court and I have not had a problem in this area. It is important that I make it clear that I cannot be bought and that anytime there is even
a hint of a conflict I will recuse myself voluntarily. I rarely ever make a direct court appointment. Most of the time that is handled by my court coordinator and she has been instructed to use the Indigent Defense wheel. It is only when there are special skills needed to handle a particular case, do I get involved.
OTHER ISSUES: The criminal courts have changed a lot in the 20 years that I have been on the bench for Dallas County. We seem to have a lot of younger, less experience attorneys for the prosecution and defense. There needs to be more effort at training attorneys to evaluate and try cases. The expectations are sometimes unrealistic on both sides.
This creates a lack of justice for the victim and the accused. Encouraging less experienced attorneys to sit in trial with more seasoned attorneys and requiring more experience
before ADA move into felony courts would address some of these issues.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 642-7994; Web Site: http://gracielewiscampaign.com; Email: judgeu44@yahoo.com
Dominique Collins (D) - no response
i
get them.
pg. 21
SHERIFF
4 year term. Must be 18 years or older, a US citizen, a resident of Texas and a
resident of the county. Responsible for law enforcement in the county and operation
of the county jail.
COUNTY JAIL OPERATIONS: Do you believe further improvements can be
made to jail operations and, if so, what are your top 3 priorities? Would additional funding be required to achieve these goals?
IMMIGRANTS: What do you believe is the Sheriff’s responsibility with respect to undocumented immigrants that encounter the justice system?
JUVENILES: Do you believe changes are needed in the handling of juveniles
in the county jail and, if so, what changes would you recommend?
OTHER ISSUES: What other issues do you believe will be the most pressing
for the county Sheriff and how would you address them?
Lupe Valdez (D)
COUNTY JAIL OPERATIONS: Yes. There are more than three, but my top three priorities begins with a re-entry
program to educate inmates and launch them into the job world. My second priority is socializing neighborhood
SHERIFF
dogs by inmates so they can publicly adopted. Thirdly, we must create leaders within the department and express
them to the public.
IMMIGRANTS: As with any other person, to safeguard, protect, act professionally, and treat them with respect when they are in our facility.
JUVENILES: The Sheriffs department does not deal with Juveniles within the county jail. Juvenile Services handles young inmates. However, I
have been outspoken in that 17 year olds should not be treated as adults.
OTHER ISSUES: The department must increase its contact with the community to form a trustful bond. Secondly, we must implement body cameras and address the issues that arise, such as cost and data storage. Thirdly, the department has to tackle quality of life in different communities with respect to
criminal justice (i. e. education, housing, etc.). Lastly, we must provide different avenues to re-direct criminal accountability - other than incarceration.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 942-2378; Web Site: http://www.lupevaldez.com; Email: campaign@lupevaldez.com
COUNTY TAX
ASSESSOR/COLLECTOR
resident of the county. Responsible for assessing and collecting all taxes imposed
on property within the county and for collecting motor vehicle fees.
TAX COLLECTION: What changes, if any, would you make in tax collection processes in
the county?
PROPERTY APPRAISALS: What changes, if any, are needed to ensure fairness and ac-
curacy for all property appraisals?
OTHER ISSUES: What other issues do you believe will be the most pressing for the county
tax assessor-collector and how would you address them?
Norma Jean Scarso (D) - could not be contacted
Kristin Smith (D) - could not be contacted
Bennie Elenora Brown (D)
TAX COLLECTION: The first thing I’m going to do, is be visible to the constituents of Dallas County.
I want the constituents to know me. If I’m going to be paid by you, I want you to see me. The 2015
County Tax Assessor/
Audit Report cited subcontractors and dealers contracted by the tax collector were not bonded per
the contract. Subcontractors are handling tax payers dollars for vehicle renewals and registrations.
Collector
I have the experience to ensure compliance. Satellite offices seem to be very overwhelmed. I will be an advocate for getting those offices more
help. Lastly, which is crucial for me and the constituents is to educate and engage tax payers on what this jobs does. The tax collector falls under
the radar and overwhelming most don’t know what the position do. It’s not good enough to direct people to a website. Information, need to be
provided to the community e.g., a community forum and putting information in the people hands. This is not current practices.
PROPERTY APPRAISALS: Definitely, in favor of these two entities working closely together. When the housing market crashed people lost their homes. Most
people didn’t know there was an option to have their homes reappraised to better reflect their home true value. Buying a home is the biggest investment most
people will make. However, the tax collector was collecting taxes on homes that no longer held their true value. The current tax collector will tell you its not what
this position do. This is correct! However, working closely with the appraisal office and Dallas home owners by filter information could have made the difference in
them saving their home. In good conscious that’s not a position I would take. The tax collector office is a business and should governor as such. However, keeping
in mind this is an elected position and this position owe it to the people to inform, educate and engage them so that they can stay abreast of the benefits that are
available to them. Community outreach!
OTHER ISSUES: The tax collector is a bureaucracy. It requires a person to be a good manager of people and oversight. I’m the founder and CEO of a non-profit of 6
years. I have a tax business of 14 years. I bring 25 years of result driven executive leadership. Prior to my current role, I successfully managed all aspects of contract
management for the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES.) Specific, areas, of expertise: IT, logistics, construction, foreign contract management, facilitation and
negotiations. Ensuring, the necessary compliance. I spearheaded the research, planning and strategic initiatives for worldwide deployment (Kuwait, Iraq, etc.) that met
compliance and regulatory requirements. This resulted in millions of dollar savings directly to AAFES. Voted by the South Dallas Business and Professional Women, Inc.,
2014 Business Women of the Year. I sit on several boards; chairing several committees and a member of several community organizations. I care about the people
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 404-7239; Email: bennieebrown@hotmail.com
pg. 22
Dallas
County
County
Tax
Commissioner,
Assessor/Collector
Precinct
- Continued
No. 1 - CONT
John R. Ames (D)
TAX COLLECTION: During the past 7 years in office, I have made many changes. First, I mailed tax statements timely (October 1) for the first time in over 20 years! Second, I refunded over $45 million in backlogged
County Tax Assessor/ refunds back to the citizens of Dallas County. Third, I established an e-commerce program where we can
accept credit/debit cards on-line with the lowest convenience fee of any Tax Office in Texas and e-checks onCollector
line for NO fee. Fourth, I established the ability to pay for your property taxes and motor vehicles transactions over-the-counter using your credit/
debit card. Fifth, I increased customer service and reduced wait times when calling into our Customer Care Center. Sixth, by virtue of all the items
mentioned above, I have increased the property tax collection percentage setting a Dallas County record of 99.03% providing millions of dollars
for entities to provide improved healthcare, teacher’s salaries, emergency management salaries and funds for road and bridge improvements.
PROPERTY APPRAISALS: As the Tax Assessor/Collector, my position has no authority over property appraisals. In 1982, Appraisal Districts were created to
divide the duties of appraisals and collections for a more equitable system. I believe that system is working well. I do advocate for sales disclosure for all properties. The Appraisal Districts are tasked with appraising all property at “fair market value” but they are unable to be as accurate as possible if they do not know what
property has sold for on the open market. They do an good job with residential properties because they have access to the MLS system where 98% of residential
properties are listed and show the original asking price and the final sales price. Unfortunately, commercial properties are not required to disclose sales and are
therefore undervalued many times. This commercial undervaluation causes a burden on residential property owners because they have to make up the difference
in the form of a higher tax rate.
OTHER ISSUES: The most pressing issues facing the Tax Assessor/Collector’s Office today are motor vehicle related. With the implementation of the Texas “Two
Steps, One Sticker” program, the motoring public of Texas has to be educated on how the new process works. Every county Tax Assessor is an agent on behalf of
the Department of Motor Vehicles. We must process motor vehicle transactions using the state’s computer system, following their administrative rules. Each year,
they pass more administrative rules that are difficult for Texas vehicle owners to understand and comply with properly and timely. I have and will continue to lobby
and work with the Texas DMV to help them understand the inefficiencies in their system. This year, I created a coalition of the top four largest counties in an effort
to educate the Texas DMV to create a better system, one that doesn’t cause our citizens the headaches that many Texas citizens in other counties go through.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 549-2440; Web Site: http://www.johnrames.com; Email: john@johnrames.com
COUNTY
resident of the district represented. Responsible for representing the citizens of the
district in which he/she is elected in the Commissioners Court which conducts the
general business of the county and oversees financial matters.
COMMISSIONER
JUSTICE SYSTEM: What changes, if any, should the county make to improve the criminal
justice system?
HEALTH CARE: Dallas County just opened the new Parkland Hospital. What are the next
steps in providing quality health care for residents?
ELECTIONS: What would you do, if anything, to encourage greater voter turnout in Dallas
County?
OTHER ISSUES: What other issues do you believe will be the most pressing in the county
and what is your position on these issues?
Dallas County Commissioner, Precinct No. 1
Ryan Minyard (D)
JUSTICE SYSTEM: Police involvement with the people and neighborhoods in the community.
When we have officers who are involved in HOAs, neighborhood functions, and make an effort to
Dallas County Commissioner, get to know the people and atmosphere of an area they are better able to serve the people. We
need to require the state and county to compensate those exonerated for a crime they were conPrecinct No. 1
victed of. Supporting the Public Defenders office and reducing sentences for non-violent crimes allows a more equal system. A focus should be
placed on rehabilitation over simply punishment to prevent repeat offenses. When we work towards a system where the focus is on actual rehabilitation of the issues that got an individual wrapped up in the criminal justice system in the first place we are moving in the right direction. People
should be given a chance to turn their lives around through programs that help them deal with the behavioral and lifestyle issues that got them
arrested in the first place.
HEALTH CARE: When we create and establish reliable and comparative performance information, benchmarking, and continuous improvement programs in the
processes and people in the health care system, we are setting it up to be in a constant state of improving quality. People should be able to actively make informed
decisions about their care where a one-size fits all approach does not fall into place when treating individual patients with individual needs. By ensuring medical
practitioners and providers are held accountable for the quality and efficiency of their performance, the oversight leads to people who are performing their roles to
the highest level of care. Supporting quality improvement activities and investing in technology are imperative to moving forward as advancements in medicine and
technology come out. Performance appraisals and directly speaking with patients about their experience can help identify and correct problem areas.
ELECTIONS: I believe that greater involvement in our government begins with greater involvement in the community. People get wrapped up in their work and
personal lives and ignore the community around them. When organizations and groups within the community reach out to citizens directly with the issues and
initiatives that they are addressing among our people, our citizens are more likely to get involved because they begin to focus more on the community at large
rather than just their street or their neighborhood. People should be made aware of drug, crime, economic, and other types of information related to Dallas County
through raising awareness in order to give them a better picture of what is going on around them and how they can help. When people focus on the community,
they focus on its leadership because they become more aware of how to go about enacting real change. The end result is more citizens involved and more people
in the population voting.
OTHER ISSUES: The issue of economic fairness and stability on both an individual and county-wide level is very important and will always be a top issue. The
ability of individuals to provide for themselves and their families is paramount to the success of the rest of the county and its initiatives. The county government
pg. 23
Dallas County Commissioner, Precinct No. 1 - Continued
Ryan Minyard (D) - Continued
should be aligning itself with policies and resource allocations that better promote local business and attract larger enterprise, even if this means setting
aside particular agendas. When people find a job here, they live here. When they can find the products and services they need here, they spend money
here. Breaking down the barriers to opening a small business and providing citizens with straightforward and easier processes to doing this will expand the
number of employers, thereby the job market itself. Through community programs like English as a second language, career training and development, and
higher education preparation, people can improve their human capital.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (469) 307-6447; Web Site: http://www.RMinyardforCC.com; Email: RMinyardforCC@gmail.com
Theresa Daniel (D)
JUSTICE SYSTEM: I will continue evaluation of the system but I am also aware of what is in
process. For example, many changes have been made in recent years so that the Dallas County
Dallas County Commissioner, jail has passed state compliance inspection six years in a row. But, other aspects currently being
addressed which should improve the operation and delivery of criminal justice in Dallas County
Precinct No. 1
include: 1. With the Caruth Smart Justice Planning Grant we are systematically reviewing what
happens to a person from book in until final disposition of the case. By streamlining this process we could decrease the time an inmate is in jail
which is better for the inmate and lessens tax payer cost. 2. Through the Behavioral Health Leadership Team, which I co-chair, all stakeholders
are continually assessing the state of inmates with mental health issues in the jail to devise methods for residents to avoid entering the jail in the
first place.
HEALTH CARE: Over the past three years, Parkland has successfully made improvements in all aspects of administration and delivery of health care services
to overcome CMS federal oversight restrictions. The new Parkland facility continues to follow protocols to ensure that those practices continue. At the same time,
Parkland Hospital alongside Dallas County service agencies provider physical and mental services to all age groups keeping in mind special needs of those with
HIV/AIDS, asthma, or diabetes. We must continue to improve specific services and advocate for more accurate assessments of the overall need. For example, I
am on a joint Conference of Urban Counties/ Meadows Foundation statewide committee developing a mental health index to establish a needs baseline. In addition to service delivery, another critical component is the continued practice of community education including efforts to protect against the West Nile virus, and be
better prepared to recognize mental health danger signs.
ELECTIONS: I take every opportunity to talk about local government so that residents are aware of the impact on their lives and include specifically the work of
the election department, voter registration and voting trends, and topics such as the Voter ID law. All together the message is that voting makes a difference, each
voter counts understanding that voting is an important part of a civil society. I have also been involved in working with election activity in our high schools to encourage awareness and the early beginning of voter habits. Lastly, I am a voter registrar and carry voter registration cards to make registration available.
OTHER ISSUES: 1.Mental health and the jail population – with at least 24% of the jail with a mental health or substance abuse diagnosis, there is the push for
constant status assessment of need and treatments as well as need to increase community resources for what is available after the release from jail. I am co-chair
of the BHLT and chair of the Housing Work Group to keep aggressive efforts on track. 2.Clean Air – currently I am a member of the North Texas Clean Air Task
Force addressing coal-burning factories in neighboring counties and ozone attainment levels. These issues are critical as Dallas County asthma levels in kids are
approximately 3 times the state average. 3.Improve how business is done – examples are to work impacted groups to update the interface between local law enforcement and the County for more efficient communications and improved ticket writers; monitor body cam studies for use and archive procedures; update audio
visual equipment in the county court rooms.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 457-4424; Web Site: http://CommissionerDaniel.com; Email: TheresaDanielforCommissioner@gmail.com
Rigoberto Cortez (D)
JUSTICE SYSTEM: Learn to recognize the influence of social hatred, make drugs a public health
problem and not a criminal problem, separate nonviolent offenders from violent offenders from
Dallas County Commissioner, the start, regain compassion and respect for those that wrong us, allow for transformation and not
rehabilitation and take the issue of crime and punishment personally. Just as with civil rights, and
Precinct No. 1
women’s rights, we have to recognize that our justice / jail system is affecting us all, and we must work it from all angels.
HEALTH CARE: Here in Dallas’ staff, faculty, our partners, or the health care workforce, we must seek out, recognize, and value everyone’s
knowledge, experience, and input. As commissioner I will ensure that all interact with the spirit of cooperation, a sense of the utmost respect.
Although the problems are big and daunting, Dallas we resolve to approach them with optimism grounded in rigorous science, hard work, and a
relentless drive for results. Everyone should have the best care and health possible.
ELECTIONS: Make registering to vote easier. Online registration, Streamline and simplify voting. Voters can already use their smartphones in some cities to
simplify daily tasks like tracking how long they have to wait for a bus or train. So why shouldn’t information about polling places be available online? Allow people
to vote online. Hire invested and engaged poll workers. Many of the problems associated with Election Day challenges involve poll workers who are not properly
trained for their jobs.
OTHER ISSUES: Polluted air - 10% Rise in Violent Crime - 20% Potholes - ?% Dallas income equality-?% Education-?% I am eager to address all issues with a
solid Q&A with all departments involved.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 404-7377; Web Site: http://www.facebook.com/regoberto.cortez; Email: rbcortez74@gmail.com
Dwaine R Caraway (D)
JUSTICE SYSTEM: We have to look at ways to speed up the jail processing system. When a
suspect is arrested it takes hours for them to get processed, and the police cannot leave until the
Dallas County Commissioner, process is complete. It’s a result of inefficiency at the jail, and the lack of communication between
the county and other public entities. In addition, a large amount of crime seems to be committed by
Precinct No. 3
the same group of repeat offenders. The police are arresting suspects in crimes and some of our judges are releasing hardened criminals back
onto the streets, even when sentences are recommended. We have to look at ways that we can encourage our judges to dispense appropriate
sentences when justified by the crimes that have been committed.
HEALTH CARE: For starters, one of the problems in District Three is that citizens are not made aware of the services that are available. Unlike
the other three Commissioner districts, the District Three internet homepage has not been updated in over three years. I will make sure that District Three resi-
pg. 24
Dwaine R Caraway (D) - Continued
dents have readily available information to seek help for health issues and other resident needs. The next step is to find ways to make sure that Dallas County
residents have proper health care before they get to Parkland. One of the main issues in District Three is that we do not have enough neighborhood health centers
to provide preventive care. Residents are using Parkland as the first stop to get healthcare, which is prohibitively more expensive than treating those residents in
neighborhood centers before they become seriously ill.
ELECTIONS: We should better educate young voters with respect to the responsibility of exercising their right to vote. This can be done through outreach to high
school and college-aged residents of Dallas County. Voting is part of your first steps into adulthood, and I believe if we reach out and educate our younger voters
our turnout will increase.
OTHER ISSUES: Mental illness is one of the most important issues we face in today’s society. The County should have a leading role in providing support for its
citizens with mental illness. District Three does not have enough outpatient centers for those with mental illness. Because of this, Parkland and the County jail system have become the default stops for mental health issues. You should not have to go jail to get the mental health services you need. According to the County’s
website, Lew Sterrett Justice Center houses the second largest mental health facility in Texas (http://www.dallascounty.org/department/sheriff/jail_facts.php ). This
cannot continue. I will work to open more outpatient centers to assist our citizens that have mental health issues.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 943-1020; Web Site: http://www.caraway2016.com/; Email: dwainecarawayfordallascounty@gmail.com
Cedric W Davis Sr (D)
JUSTICE SYSTEM: Call for an immediate establishment of a multicultural taskforce consisting
of law enforcement management, community religious leaders, and community youth activist to
Dallas County Commissioner, examine current policies and practices to make additional recommendations to the commissioner
court for implementation, provide oversight of various county law enforcement and criminal justice
Precinct No. 3
programs that may reduce crime and build a solid foundation of public trust. Also, I will seek more
funding from the $263 million law enforcement package President Obama sign into executive order to increase police officers’ use of body-worn
cameras and to expand local law-enforcement public relations training.
HEALTH CARE: I would identify cost effective health care measures that has worked. Implement procedures to prevent the overuse, underuse,
and misuse of county health care services and funds through quarterly reviews. Help educate citizens make informed choices about their health care. Hold health
insurance plans and health care providers accountable for timely payments. Continue addressing the disparities in how healthcare is delivered to mental health
and indigent patients. Also, improve MOU’s between county care facilities and for-profit medical facilities, seek more research funding and continuing improving
donor funds to Parkland. Ensure patient privacy and safety is well protected.
ELECTIONS: Make a plea to the voters to allow me to become their newly elected County Commissioner for District 3. Assure voters I will bring a solid ethical way of conducting
the people’s business to the Dallas County Commissioner’s Court. Reduce conflict and restore trust. Pledge never to force my personal views upon others, never judge other’s
clothes and how they may wear them, and never conduct one sided politics. I will make the Commissioner Office ego free, transparent and accountable to the people by implementing the military philosophy of putting country and community above self, and be equal and just towards everyone no matter of religion, gender, or race. I will educate and
communicate with the citizens. Recommend term limits, campaign contribution and finance reform.
OTHER ISSUES: The improvement of public relations, budget management, mental illness and homeless care, transportation projects, bridge, street, and pothole repair, jail quality and inmate reduction.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (972) 352-8630; Web Site: http://cedric4protectingthetrustofdallascounty.org; Email: cedric4countycommissioner3@gmail.com
John Wiley Price (D)
JUSTICE SYSTEM: We must continue our high level of monitoring the courts for productivity and endure
that each defendant has proper and competent representation. We are ramping up our alternative courts
Dallas County Commissioner, and encouraging the creation of new and more organic ways of dealing with non-violent criminals who are
involved in drugs, prostitution and juvenile delinquency and other misdemeanor and low grade felonies.
Precinct No. 3
HEALTH CARE: We will keep a close watch on all aspects of Parkland’s operational and administrative policies. We have recently opened another COPC satellite in South Dallas which is centered on preventative health and providing a relief
valve for Parkland and its trauma and emergency care responsibilities. We want to bring affordable healthcare to each neighbor with a priority
designation for low income areas which have food deserts and high risk zip codes.
ELECTIONS: The best way to turn out voters is to saturate broadcast and published media, but that tends to be expensive and harder to gauge. We have to ask
respected grass roots organizations like LOWV to cast expanded nets. We need to reach our younger voters by using social media outlets in a manner that lets
them know we want them to play a part in the political processes.
OTHER ISSUES: The most pressing issues for me has always been to make equal access and opportunity in Dallas County a reality, while maintaining our AAAAA Bond rating and a solid portal for the comprehensive health, welfare and safety of all citizens whether free and bond.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Web Site: http://johnwileyprice.com
Micah B Phillips (D)
JUSTICE SYSTEM: I would make sure that our sheriffs and constable are well educated on the difference between Criminal behavior and mental health behavior. This would help eliminate the over crowding of our jails and it
Dallas County Commissioner, would ensure that mental health patients are getting the proper care that they need.
HEALTH CARE: I would make sure that a plan is implemented to bring a County Level 1 Trauma Hospital to
Precinct No. 3
Southern Dallas County. This would insure that medical relationships can be established between doctors and
patients. I would also begin to find ways for doctors to stay long term in order for sustained patient care because this can be more impactful in a patient’s daily well-being.
ELECTIONS: The solutions that need to be implemented in Dallas county to encourage greater voter turnout, is to continued education of the citizens of how important
it is for them to vote. A more inclusion environment needs to be established so that voters can feel welcomed and wanted in the democratic system. We also need to
make sure that we are addressing the concerns of the younger generations. We must also begin to erase the lines of division so an environment of diversity and unity
may be cultivated.
OTHER ISSUES: I also would like to make sure that Economic Empowerment is at the forefront for Dallas County District 3, so that the economic injustice may be reverse. Economic
injustices, such as, the Inland Port debacle, these types of missed opportunities have created a destructive domino effect in PUBLIC HEALTH, PUBLIC SAFETY and PUBLIC EDUCATION in Southern Dallas County I would also like to push for TERM LIMITS at the Commissioner’s Court, so that future generation can now be groomed and mentored to become the next
commissioner.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 864-2482; Web Site: http://micahbphillips.com; Email: votemicahbphillips@gmail.com
pg. 25
DALLAS COUNTY
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE
4 year term. Must be 18 years or older, a US citizen, a resident of Texas and
a resident of the district represented. Responsible for civil cases and criminal
misdemeanor cases punishable by fine only.
ACCESSIBILITY: The JP Courts are often referred to as “the People’s Courts.” Do you
believe the JP courts could be made more accessible to the people and, if so, how?
PROCESS SERVING: What changes, if any, need to be made regarding process serving?
EVICTIONS: Is there a need to make JP court more equitable in the eviction process and, if
so, how could this be accomplished?
OTHER ISSUES: What other issues do you believe will be most pressing for JP courts and
how would you address them?
Dallas County JP Pct 2, Place 1
Latonya D Shavers (D)
ACCESSIBILITY: Yes, the JP Court could be made more accessible. I would make it more accessible by
having forms and documents that tell and explain the whole process of each of the proceeding of the Court.
Dallas County JP
I would make sure the Website is current and updated at all times. I would also have an information system
within the Court for the people. I would even offer a Town Hall Meeting Bi-Monthly for an hour after court
Pct 2, Place 1
closing to devote my time to keep the people inform of what is going on with the JP Court and to hear from all Citizens.
PROCESS SERVING: Regarding the process serving there are three different ways to get someone served. Defendants can be served by a Constable of the Court, process server or certified mail. All three ways are service that are guaranteed to be efficient.
EVICTIONS: Yes, there is a way we can make the JP Court more equitable.. We could implement Mediation.
OTHER ISSUES: Communication- I would like to expand access of communication to the public. the Justice of the Peace currently has a website that is not being
utilized, I also feel in todays digital age it is imperative that we implement social media into our efforts to stay in touch with the public. Budget- I would examine the
budget and find ways to make the JP court is operating as efficiently as it should be to insure that tax payers money is being spent as it should be, and that we
come in under budget instead of consistently over budget. Timing- I would like to make sure that we are being respectful of the people’s time. I would look into utilizing more avenues of technology so that the people that come in to the JP court have access to the information they need and we are able to process their needs
as efficiently as possible.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 797-6606; Email: shaversforjustice@yahoo.com
Bruce Parrott (D)
ACCESSIBILITY: The court is not restrictive to anyone. The JP court has equal access to everyone. That’s why it’s
called “the People’s Court”.
Dallas County JP
PROCESS SERVING: Any changes should be on an on going basis and adapted to each situation.
EVICTIONS: I give everyone the benefit of the doubt and I listen closely to each case. Only after listening and only
Pct 2, Place 1
after hearing both sides, a ruling should be made.
OTHER ISSUES: Keep the backlog to a minimum, without jeopardizing access, opportunity and fair treatment.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 328-6809; Web Site: http://FACEBOOK; Email: bwparrott@yahoo.com
CONSTABLE
4 year term. Must be 18 years or older, a US citizen, resident of Texas and a
resident of the district represented. Responsible for serving warrants and serving as
bailiff in the Justice of the Peace courts.
ROLE: What are the challenges of the Constable role and how would you handle them?
PROCEDURES: What changes, if any, are needed in the procedures used by Constables
in our county?
OTHER ISSUES: What other issues do you believe will be most pressing for the county
Constables and how would you address them?
DALLAS COUNTY CONSTABLE, PCT 1
Tracey Gulley (D) - no response
i
Dallas County Constable, Pct 1
get them.
pg. 26
Dallas County Constable, Pct 1 - Continued
Mae Jackson (D)
ROLE: Because Constables primarily enforce civil law, balancing the responsibility as a peace officer can sometimes be a challenge. Most Constable’s Offices are considered community based law enforcement agencies, and
Dallas County
therefore are expected to provide the same services as the local police departments. This cannot always occur.
Because of the limited funding, budget, and man power available, they are not properly equipped, nor staffed, to
Constable, Pct 1
provide the type of criminal enforcement they are perceived to handle. With over 35 years of law enforcement experience, I understand that one
of the many challenges to the Constable’s office is to expand and revise their role to meet the evolving changes of the communities in which they
serve. Under my leadership I will provide training and guidance to the men and women deputized under my administration to remain vigilant and
act accordingly in providing a presence of safety in our school zones and neighborhoods during their daily course of business.
PROCEDURES: The State of Texas has established standards of procedures that govern the way in which deputies proceed with their duties. However, there are
also in-house procedures that are established by the Constable. These procedures are supposed to compliment or enhance services based upon differing circumstances. Many offices are currently disabled by outdated procedures that hinder a deputy’s ability to provide effective, efficient and successful service. I will:
• Create a much needed standard operating procedures manual, • Utilize officer input, and establish community-based meetings which feature open discussions
assisting in determining the needs of the people we serve. • Redefine out dated procedures and methods of operations in a manner that would both better serve
the community and are safe and proper for the deputies. • Ensure that administrative staff members not only respond accordingly and timely, but are courteous and
professional in receiving all relevant complaints made.
PROCESS SERVING: As an experienced law enforcement professional, I can say with confidence that an evening presence by the deputies would not only result
in more successful process service, but it will assist with crime prevention. The additional officers on the street during peak hours of criminal activity will only help
add to the public’s safety. The evening hours at the Constable’s office will be assisted by reserve peace officers and college interns; this is a program I plan to
implement as Constable. The reserves and the criminal justice interns will assist sworn personnel with civil process matters. The program will also deal with the
constant shortage of manpower currently facing the Constable’s office by creating a pool of trained and experienced officers to select from. These additions will
begin to help bring back the quality service expected from retaining the services of the constable’s office.
OTHER ISSUES: Possessing the proper equipment is currently an issue for the Constables Office. Providing in car computers, cell phones and up to date web
based programs/search engines, would serve to enhance defendant locating efforts. The use of cell phones would allow for better communication between clients,
officers and the courts. Currently many deputies utilize their dispatch radios, wait for messages from the clerical staff or pick up messages when they arrive at the
precinct. They are also faced with using their personal cell phones if they wish to contact clients in real time. Use of personal cell phones has the potential of being
a personal security threat. All of which potentially cause a delay in service. Dallas County Commissioners will not or cannot fund much of the equipment needed.
Having been responsible for equipping 75 officers, I will call on my experience in utilizing grant writers, to search and apply for any available grants/alternative
funding to properly equip deputies.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (469) 716-0303; Web Site: http://www. jackson2016.com; Email: maejackson4constable@gmail.com
Curtis E Traylor (D)
ROLE: Some of the challenges of the Constable role include creating a professional environment that is free of
corruption and favoritism. As Constable, I will meet with all the deputies of precinct 1 and come up with profesDallas County
sional standards that every member of precinct one’s Constable office will abide by. Deputies will be promoted
based on their merit and job performance and not who they know. A unique challenge facing precinct 1 ConConstable, Pct 1
stable Office is bringing the cloud of corruption from over it. I will work day in and day out to regain the respect of our community by putting fair
practices in place when it comes to policy making and making it clear that illegal activities will be handled on a zero tolerance basis. Making our
Constable office more transparent and accessible to the public is a top priority.
PROCEDURES: Some of the changes that need to be made by the Constable procedures in our county include the way we notify citizens of their
rights concerning evictions. I feel that as the Constable, we are responsible to our constituents and they should know all of their legal rights and outlets. As Constable I will began providing citizens with their rights in print along with any civil process we serve to them. Information will include advise from the Texas Rental
Association, Texas Apartment Association and consumer protections-tenant rights provided by the Texas Attorney General. The procedures for warrants and Civil
process will be evaluated to insure we are working efficiently.
PROCESS SERVING: Oversight and accountability for those who serve civil process needs to be looked at. As Constable, I will make sure that the deputies of
precinct 1 are operating in an efficient manner. All civil process that do not belong to precinct 1 will be transferred to its respective precinct for processing. I will
require deputies to document all civil process they receive each day and log how many they were able to serve and what was returned to our office that could not
be served on a particular shift.
OTHER ISSUES: Some other issues I see that face the our Constables include not having the equipment necessary as law enforcement officers to do their jobs
with safety. As Constable, I will submit to the Commissioners a new chase policy that will allow me to order new constable vehicles that include the safety equipment needed to do our jobs safely and effectively. I will work to get our deputies access to NCIC/TCIC patrol computers so that we know who we are dealing with
when making contact with the public. Today our deputies operate without access to basic law enforcement tools such as tazers and body cams. I will work with the
Commissioners court to get those things in place as soon as possible.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (469) 623-9664; Web Site: http://Traylorforconstable.com; Email: Curtitraylor4constable@gmail.com
i
get them.
pg. 27
Dallas County Constable, Pct 1 - Continued
Hector Wilson (D)
ROLE: The challenges today for Dallas County constables or just fitting into the law enforcement structure in
Dallas County and being treated as an equal and not as a stepchild in law enforcement as it pertains to duties,
Dallas County
equipment, salaries, etc..
PROCEDURES: All procedures can be reexamined. The best way to make better changes that better effect
Constable, Pct 1
deputies and the community would be a suggestion box consideration from my staff.
PROCESS SERVING: There are no changes needed in the process serving.
OTHER ISSUES: I refer back to question number 2. Take a toll from my staff and I’m sure they would agree with me that we as law enforcement
officers would like the commissioners to treat us equally as with other county officers at Budget time.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Web Site: http://VoteforHectorWilson.com
DALLAS COUNTY
POLITICAL PARTY CHAIRMAN
VISION: If elected, what would you most like to accomplish during the next 2
years?
PRECINCT CHAIRS: Precinct chair positions are often unfilled. How will you
recruit and retain precinct chairs?
HISPANIC TURNOUT: Despite their growing numbers, Hispanic voter turnout
2 year term. County chairs lead partisan political party activities within the
county. They also recruit and work with candidates, precinct chairs and staff,
conduct and certify primary elections and build a network of volunteers.
has remained low. What strategies would you use to attract Hispanic voters to
your party and encourage them to vote on election day?
OTHER ISSUES: What other issues do you believe will be most pressing for this
office and how will you address them?
Carol Donovan (D)
VISION: As the current Chairwoman of the Dallas County Democratic Party (“DCDP”) I have initiated several
programs, which I would like to continue on an annual basis: A Judicial Reception, honoring our Dallas County
Dallas County Political judges; a series of voter rallies in various parts of the county; and debate watch parties, which will continue
through the 2016 presidential race. We have laid the groundwork for two major programs, which will continue
Party Chairman
into my next term: prospective candidate training seminars; and a Democratic Leadership Institute focused on young professionals. In the next 2
years, I want to continue these programs, as well as ongoing programs, such as the Annual Labor Day Picnic, the Annual Fish Fry, and the Annual
Johnson-Jordan Dinner. Additionally, I want to host a reception for non-judicial county officials and begin networking with other Democratic County
Chairs in the North Texas Area.
PRECINCT CHAIRS: As the current DCDP Chairwoman, I have worked with current precinct chairs to recruit and retain precinct chairs. The DCDP has made
great strides in recruitment through the DCDP “Precinct Chair Matters” Committee, the DCDP Advisory Council, the Hispanic Precinct Chair Caucus, and the Black
Precinct Chair Caucus. Retention of precinct chairs is increased through individual attention, ongoing contacts, the DCDP weekly newsletter, eblasts, event notices, and precinct chair training sessions, which are available in the DCDP Office and through local Democratic clubs. In my next term, I intend to increase utilization of our computer database to match Democratic voters with precincts that are without precinct chairs.
HISPANIC TURNOUT: As the current DCDP Chairwoman, I worked with the DCDP Diversity Committee to host a Voter Registration Rally & Block Party in Oak
Cliff at a location that intersected with the respective districts of State Senator Royce West, State Representative Roberto Alonzo, Sr, and County Commissioner
Elba Garcia. We are already planning similar events in other parts of the county. I have also appointed a “Candidate Recruitment” Committee to conduct prospective candidate training seminars and to recruit candidates, especially Hispanic and African-American candidates. It has been my observation that, when Hispanic
candidates are on the ballot, the Hispanic voter turnout increases. Additionally, the recruitment of Hispanic precinct chairs helps to involve Hispanic voters. The
DCDP staff created and distributed a Spanish-language Voter Guide. In my next term, I will continue these programs, which help to involve Hispanic voters.
OTHER ISSUES: The most important, and the only statutory, function of the DCDP is to administer the Primary Election. We are preparing by attending training
sessions, meeting with Dallas Election Office personnel, and becoming intimately familiar with the Texas Election Code. Voter turnout will be especially high because of the upcoming 2016 presidential election. In addition to ongoing efforts to recruit precinct chairs, we are constantly recruiting volunteers to help with phone
banks, field work, and event hosting. It is important for the DCDP to reach out beyond the typical Democratic base. The Dallas community remains an untapped
resource of people who care about the community and are willing to work for positive change. Through town hall meetings, speaking engagements with community
organizations, and social media, we will recruit individuals to assist with specific causes of interest to them. If you are interested in volunteering, please call 214821-8331 or email chair@dallasdemocrats.org.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 823-1400; Web Site: http://carolcrabtreedonovan.com; Email: carolfordcdp@gmail.com
pg. 28
DALLAS COUNTY PRECINCT
CHAIR CONTEST - DEMOCRAT
1061
Daisy E Joe
Gabriela Pataro
1113
Edward James Crawford
David Michel Patin Jr
1119
George Y Collins
Juan R Olivo
1709
Chris Nguyen
Koni Ramos-Kaiwi
2715
John Lee Runnels
Tessa McGlynn
3003
Anga L Sanders
Joe Tave
3006
Scherry F Johnson
Charles McGarry
3008
Chad Crews
Joanne Rhone
3009
Sherron Molina
Gary Foster
3027
Ricky G Phillips
Betty Carter Hooey
3045
Claudia Denise Fowler
Shalondria C Jackson
3107
Cassandra L Cooper
Emelda J Martin
3200
D Kristine Farrell
Betty Pittman
4005
Eulaine Hall
Matthew G Calvert
4019
Melissa Alfaro
Se-Gwen Tyler
4500
Lorenzo Rummans
George Abraham Espinosa
4521
Grant R Bell
Ada French-Goring
BALLOT REFERENDA
ANSWER FOR/AGAINST
Dick Zinnerdorf
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Referenda Item #1 On Economic Security & Prosperity
Should the Texas Legislature and the United States Congress pass an economic security and prosperity plan for families that includes higher incomes by raising
the state minimum wage to a livable wage, passing the Paycheck Fairness Act to ensure equal pay for equal work, guaranteeing paid family leave to care for a
child or ill loved one, fully funding public neighborhood schools, and making a debt-free community college education a reality for hardworking students?
Referenda Item #2 On A Fair Criminal Justice System
Should the Texas Legislature and the United States Congress pass criminal justice reform legislation that ensures equal justice throughout our society without
respect to race, socioeconomic status, geographic location, or other factors unrelated to behavior, ensuring as well common sense policies to protect the rights
of law enforcement officers, the community, and defendants in the criminal justice system?
Referenda Item #3 On Climate
Should the Texas Legislature and the United States Congress encourage the transition to renewable, non-polluting energy as a means to slow down climate
change and its impact on the planet?
Referenda Item #4 On The Voting Rights Act
Should the United States Congress pass the new Voting Rights Advancement Act to protect all American Voters?
Referenda Item #5 On Campus Carry
Should the Texas Legislature allow each public institution of higher education (not only private universities) to opt out of the ability to carry guns on campus?
Referenda Item #6 On Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Should the United States Congress pass a just and fair comprehensive immigration reform solution that includes an earned path to citizenship for law-abiding
immigrants and their children, keeps families together, protects DREAMers, and provides workforce solutions for businesses?
pg. 29
REPUBLICAN
Races
UNITED STATES PRESIDENT
How Elected: Every four years, political parties nominate candidates to run
for President of the United States in a general election that is held on the first
Tuesday, after the first Monday in November. Although all parties use conventions to nominate their candidates, in most states the Democratic and Republican parties also run state-wide primary elections or caucuses. The results of
the primary influence how the delegates to their respective party’s convention
will cast ballots for candidates for President. The degree to which the result of
the primary influences the votes of delegates at conventions varies from state
to state.
Duties: The President is the head of state of the United States of America
and is the Chief Executive Officer and the Commander in Chief of all military
forces. The powers of the President are described in the Constitution and federal law. Subject to Senate approval, the President appoints the members of
the Cabinet, ambassadors to other nations and the United Nations, Supreme
Court Justices and federal judges. The President, along with the Cabinet
and its agencies, is responsible for carrying out and enforcing the laws of the
United States. The President may also recommend legislation to the United
States Congress.
© 2016 by the League of Women Voters Education Fund
Rand Paul (R) (Withdrew)
Republican Presidential Candidate
Jeb Bush (R) - No Response
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Website: http://jeb2016.com; Campaign Address: Jeb 2016, Inc. ; PO Box 440641 Miami, FL 33144
Donald Trump (R)
A: I think the most important issues facing this country are economic recovery, immigration and national
Republican Presidential security. I have proposed an excellent pro-growth tax policy, have taken the strongest stance on immigration reform and have addressed how we will recapitalize our military to attain the readiness necessary to
Candidate
achieve and protect our national interests. A strong economy must be first.
A: Good economic policy will help both companies grow and invest in America, and improve wages and living standards for all Americans. A
smart trade policy, a competitive tax policy, and a national-interest immigration policy, will all boost the quality of life for Americans and make the
country stronger and more prosperous.
A: The Middle East really presents three sets of issues. The Muslim Brotherhood is making great headway in the African littoral, we have the issues with Syria and
Iraq and we have the challenges offered by Iran. Each of these requires different solution sets. Military power should only be used to achieve our national interests, and until such time as we have a better economy, we are limited.
A: In a Trump administration, we will keep Americans safe while safeguarding their Constitutional rights. This would mean that I would insist that all federal agencies cooperate with state and local law enforcement to ensure that we have the broadest network possible working on collecting, and acting upon, intelligence that
will suppress any attempts at domestic terrorism.
A: Politicians have become puppets for their donors. I am the only candidate who is self-funding. The best way for voters to rebel against the influence of money
in politics is with their votes: a Trump Presidency will return this government to the people.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Occupation: Businessman; Campaign Website: http://www.donaldjtrump.com/; Campaign Email: info@donaldtrump.com; Campaign
Phone: (646) 736-1779; Campaign Address: Donald J. Trump for President, INC ; 725 Fifth Ave New York, NY 10022
Carly Fiorina (R) - No Response
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Website: http://carlyforpresident.com; Campaign Address: Carly for President ; PO Box 7808 Merrifield, VA 22116
pg. 30
Republican Presidential Candidate - Continued
Marco Rubio (R) - No Response
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Website: http://marcorubio.com; Campaign Address: Marco Rubio for President ; PO Box 558701 Miami, FL 33255
Ted Cruz (R) - No Response
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Website: http://www.tedcruz.org; Campaign Address: Cruz for President; PO Box 25376 Houston, TX 77265
Ben Carson (R)
A: I will address the challenges facing the U.S. with strength, resolve and most importantly my faith in God.
Republican Presidential Already, I’ve put forth my policy proposals for taxes, education, health care, national security and other
issues that we know the next president will face. But we know we’ll face challenges we can’t foresee. My
Candidate
experience as a surgeon gives me the strength and judgement necessary to lead.
A: This is a false dichotomy. Pursuing economic policies that promote the free market, reduce red tape and increase common sense will help grow
America’s businesses AND new and higher paying jobs. As president, I will drive companies to reinvest in America, creating policies that reward
them for entrepreneurship and creativity, not punish them for success. When hiring increases, so will salaries.
A: We cannot defeat ISIS by tying our military’s hands. I will deploy U.S. military resources to work with regional partners like Jordan, Iraq, Egypt and Saudi Arabia
to destroy ISIS by disrupting its funding and supplies and retaking its territory. As president, I will consult with senior leaders of the military. If they advise that
ground troops are necessary, I won’t hesitate to deploy them.
A: First I will fix our broken immigration system. Second, we must work with community leaders to combat radicalization. Third, we must better equip local and
federal law enforcement to investigate plots. Finally, we can’t let political correctness stop us from being vigilant.
A: I firmly believe that special interests should not dictate American elections. America was designed to serve “We the People,” not “They the Powerful”. Unlike
most candidates, my campaign hasn’t been bought by big donors. Big industries just use our broken system to keep the same D.C. insiders in office. We must
break that cycle by electing new leaders and reform our campaign finance system.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Occupation: Retired Neurosurgeon; Campaign Website: http://www.bencarson.com; Campaign Email: info@carsonhq.com; Campaign Address: Carson America 1800 Diagonal Road, Ste. 140 Alexandria, VA 22314
i
The following candidates have qualified for the Texas state ballot according
to the Secretary of State of Texas but did not meet the LWVEF criteria:
Lindsey Graham, Elizabeth Gray, Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum, Chris Christie, John R. Kasich
UNITED STATES
REPRESENTATIVE
2 year term. Must be 25 years or older, a US citizen and a resident of Texas.
Responsible for representing the citizens of his/her district in the US House of
Representatives.
IMMIGRATION: There is general agreement that America’s immigration system is broken. What changes, if any, would you support?
FOREIGN INTERVENTION: Under what circumstances would you support
use of US combat forces in a foreign conflict? What actions do you recommend regarding the threat of global terrorism?
SOCIAL SECURITY/MEDICARE: What changes, if any, would you support to
the Social Security and Medicare programs? Why? What would be the impact
of your changes on retired citizens?
TAX CODE: Some people believe the tax code has become too onerous and
has a negative effect on economic growth. What changes, if any, would you
support?
the next session of Congress, and what is your position on these issues?
Jeb Hensarling (R) - no response
pg. 31
Kenny Marchant (R)
IMMIGRATION: The first priority must be to secure the borders by enforcing existing laws. There is an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in America today and the Obama Administration is refusing to enforce the
U.S. Representative
law to prosecute and deport these individuals. Repairing our broken immigration system will require a multifaceted approach, involving a number of tools and strategies to effectively achieve our goals. I will continue
District 24
to push for the resources Texas needs to secure the border, such as a quicker process to remove people who
should not be here, and enforcement measures to prevent illegal entries.
FOREIGN INTERVENTION: The United States Military is the strongest, bravest, and most well-equipped fighting force in the world. The use of
combat forces should be the last military option, not the first. One of my biggest frustrations with President Obama is his absence of foreign policy
understanding. ISIS and other foreign terrorist organizations are seeking to destroy American values and our way of life. President Obama has not presented a
clear strategic military objective to the American people. ISIS should be handled in the swiftest, most severe manner possible in order to destroy their radical beliefs.
SOCIAL SECURITY/MEDICARE: In order to strengthen Social Security today and guarantee it is there for the future generations, I support legislation that protects
current Social Security beneficiaries, encourage private pension savings for future beneficiaries through tax incentives, and over time, raise the age at which benefits can be drawn. We need to reduce Medicare’s high rate of fraud and waste. In 2014, the Government Accountability Office estimated Medicare made improper
payments totaling $60 billion, more than 10% of the program’s total budget. This is in addition to outright fraud and other forms of waste.
TAX CODE: The American tax code is broken. Our tax code has not had a major rewrite in 25 years, leaving the United States with the highest corporate tax rate
in the world. As a member of the chief tax writing committee in Congress, this is a priority that I have worked to advance on behalf of my constituents. Some key
changes in the tax reform plan would be to reduce the individual and corporate rates, eliminate special interest loopholes, and crack down on IRS abuses while
making the code simpler, flatter, and fairer for families and job creators.
OTHER ISSUES: I am running for Congress because I believe that government should be limited and accountable to the American people. I have a consistent
record of fighting for lower taxes and the elimination of wasteful government spending. During the next legislative session, my priorities are to: balance the federal
budget; secure our borders and oppose amnesty for illegal immigrants; and strengthen our national security.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Phone: (972) 242-7211; Email: marchantcampaign@gmail.com; Website: www.kennymarchant.com
Joel A Krause (R) - no response
Michael C. Burgess (R) - no response
Micah Beebe (R)
IMMIGRATION: Before anything can be done on this issue, our border absolutely must be secured. Securing
the border is a national security issue & without it, nothing we do on immigration will matter because illegals will
U.S. Representative continue to violate our border. The next thing that I would do is ensure we had a strong E-verify system in place so
that illegals can no longer take the jobs of hard working Americans. I would give our border agents everything they
District 26
need to do their job, because they need more support. I would put an end to all sanctuary cities & stop dangerous
criminals from killing innocent Americans.
FOREIGN INTERVENTION: We must deal with ISIS & take them out. They are a direct threat to our national security & can no longer be tolerated.
We need to declare war on ISIS, as our allies have, show leadership in this conflict & lead the fight against them. It is a very hard decision to send our
men & women in uniform into harms way. But when America is threatened by a group like ISIS, we must act. It is no longer an option to sit idly by while they slaughter
innocent people by the thousands, wage war against us, & recruit terrorist right here at home to attack our people. This is a fight we must deal with now.
SOCIAL SECURITY/MEDICARE: I stand with seniors, & believe that we must honor our commitment to caring for them. For those receiving benefits & approaching
retirement, these are the ones we must care for, as promised. For future generations, the social security system needs to be reformed. People are living a lot longer
& because of that we must raise the retirement age. But we also need to change to a system of personal retirement accounts that put the people in control & doesn’t
allow the government to steal from this program for something else. Its time to put the control back in the hands of individuals, not gov.
TAX CODE: The tax code is in desperate need of reform. Its far too complicated. The American people deserve a simplified, flat tax system. This would allow every
American to know very easily exactly what they owe every year. By putting more money in the hands of consumers, every American will receive an instant pay raise!
People can better provide for their families, they will spend more, which increases tax revenues. Once corporate tax is reformed as well, businesses will be able to hire
more people & put them back to work. Larger tax base, more financial security, its a win-win all the way around.
OTHER ISSUES: Everyone knows that our debt is a very big problem that has to be addressed. The government continues to spend us into a deep hole, & makes it
harder to get out. This is the future e’re leaving the next generation & we need someone in Washington with a sense of urgency that will end the spending & borrowing.
Many Americans are also very concerned about the Syrian refugee crisis & what happened in Germany. If it can happen there, it can happen here. We need to protect
our own people & the women in this country from potential predators. This is a serious concern of my wife, & she’s not alone.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Email: beebeforoffice@gmail.com;L Website: www.beebeforcongress.com;
i
Before you go to vote, make sure you know where your Polling Location is.
Sometimes Polling Locations change. Find Polling Locations for Early Voting in Person on page 3
and Election Day at www.DallasCountyVotes.org or call
Dallas County Elections or the League of Women Voters of Dallas.
pg. 32
Charles Lingerfelt (R)
IMMIGRATION: I believe Congress ought to make it a priority to completely “Re-vamp” the immigration
program and department and do it within the next two years. I will advocate “Securing the Border’ with the
U.S. Representative
laws already ‘on the book.’
FOREIGN INTERVENTION: I would only support the use of Combat forces abroad if out country is attacked
District 30
- or, if our Military is attacked anywhere in the world. And, I will advocate as well, that if we send our forces
abroad they ONLY go abroad to WIN. Actions. 1.) Secure the Border 2.) Stop all Illegal migrants from coming to the country until we have a more
secure way of vetting them! 3.) Manage our Borders with the Military and security patrols NOT Stop - and with LIVE Cameras daily!!! 4.) I would
advocate a Volunteer effort with Citizens daily monitoring the Border by their computers - assisting our Military for security.
SOCIAL SECURITY/MEDICARE: I will Call for the Social Security monies being moved back into its own fund - Totally out of The general Fund
- So that the federal government CANNOT borrow from and “USE” those monies for other government items - instead of its original intended purpose. This will
guarantee that all who have “Paid into” the SS program will, in fact receive their amounts rightly due them at retirement.
TAX CODE: I will support a complete “DO AWAY” with the Tax Code - and replace it with a national sales Tax, or a Flat Tax of NO More than 15%.
OTHER ISSUES: National security is the Number 1 issue concerning American citizens in 2016. I will support strengthening and growing our Military forces and
making them the Best in the world - Once again! The National debt needs to be “Tackled” and solved - and getting our own fiscal House in order.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (972) 533-3804; Web Site: http://iTrustCharles.com; Email: Charles.Lingerfelt@gmail.com
Russ Ramsland (R)
IMMIGRATION: I adamantly oppose any proposal for the legalization of illegal immigrants, generally referred
to as “amnesty.” I believe in the rule of law, and those who entered America illegally cannot be allowed to have
U.S. Representative
a path to legal status. It sends the message that breaking the law is okay as long as enough people do it, and
would lead more people bypassing our LEGAL immigration system. We had a chance to stop the pro-amnesty
District 32
agenda when an amendment was offered to last year’s “cromnibus” bill and our own blocked it. Border security
is a necessary first step to any further action on immigration. Congress and the Administration must also show a dedication to enforcement of our
existing immigration laws. THEN, we start a national conversation about any changes to immigration laws. We must note that 94.5 million Americans of working age are no longer in the labor force, and recognize that the H-1B visa program is being abused. We must first protect American
jobs for Americans.
FOREIGN INTERVENTION: We must stop ISIS. Our allies in the Middle East are worried, confused and making up their own foreign policy as they go along,
because our administration has not projected strength and has no goal or coherent strategy to get there. Once we have a goal and coherent strategy, we must
give our full support to our allies in this fight, including working with the Kurds who are currently fighting ISIS, as well as providing Sunni moderates with serious
weaponry and Special Operations personnel. If we are to commit to fighting ISIS, we must make sure that our military is allowed to do what is necessary to contain
the threat, not bound by nonsensical rules of engagement. Before considering sending a large number of troops to fight ISIS, there must be a clear and compelling case that American security interests are at stake and that the only way to secure them is American boots on the ground. We should never send our men and
women into harm’s way with an uncertain mission and no plan to win.
SOCIAL SECURITY/MEDICARE: Everyone who is in the system now, or is heading toward retirement, deserves every dime they’ve been promised, because
they’ve paid into it. We need to stop Congress from raiding the Social Security Trust Fund. Start by taking it off-budget as it was before President Johnson used
it to mask the deficit. For newer entrants to the workforce, move their retirement age back and look at new models. The Social Security Trustees and several
rounds of bipartisan commissions have prepared detailed recommendations. Chile offers a great model. For 30 years, younger people have been able to opt for a
personal, Social Security savings account. The historic record in Chile is the average young person gets two to three times the retirement income, and Chile has
never written a single “safety net” check, because nobody has fallen below the minimum payment of Social Security. We could employ a “safety net” by having the
government guarantee the returns to the extent of government run social security.
TAX CODE: I support overhaul of the tax code in the direction of a Flat Tax, wherein some of the deductions are removed but the rates are also lowered, various
separate categories of income are removed, the alternative minimum tax is ended and the death tax eliminated.
OTHER ISSUES: We need Term Limits. I’d limit the House to 4 terms and the Senate to 2 terms with a four year sit out. National Debt – With the National Debt
approaching $19 Trillion, it is a MAJOR National Security issue. Soon we’ll pay more interest than we spend on Defense. The answer is to peg spending at 16% of
GNP since we generally collect about 19%. Re-build the Military – We spend around $600 billion on our military, same as we spent (inflation adjusted) in 1987 at
the height of the Reagan defense buildup. Yet under Reagan, we had a 600 ship fleet. Today we have 272. Under Reagan, it took 4 years from conception to deployment of major weapon systems (Poseidon submarine and Minuteman ICBM). Today, it takes 21.2 years. The difference today is a huge, unnecessary bureaucracy. The procurement system needs changing. During Reagan, major defense contractors re-bid every year. Now, we award 50-year contracts on a cost–plus
basis. Therefore more costs means more contractor fees.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (469) 909-8246; Web Site: http://ramslandforcongress.com; Email: russ@ramslandforcongress.com
Paul Brown (R)
IMMIGRATION: For starters, the US should be enforcing the laws we have in place. However it will likely take
more than that. Other than enforcing current laws, I am in favor increasing the difficulty of entering the country ilU.S. Representative legally. A wall, sufficient patrols, and allowing our border patrol agents to do their jobs would be a start. But in truth,
this is only treating the symptom of the problem, and we need to get to the source. Illegal immigration is fueled
District 32
primarily by several different factors 1) Extremely adverse conditions in other countries, creating a large disparity
of quality of life between those nations and our own. 2) A demand for illegal or undocumented workers created by our economic policies. And 3)
easy access to entitlements for illegal aliens. We cannot change number one, but we can address number two and three. Of course, removing the
economic conditions that create a black market for undocumented work and limiting access to entitlements will be politically difficult.
FOREIGN INTERVENTION: As a Marine Corps veteran of the War in Iraq, I am sick and tired of the US sending troops to wars that we do not commit to win. This
has been going on for 70 years: we have not had a total victory in any of the major conflicts since World War II. That is unacceptable. In future conflicts I demand
pg. 33
Paul Brown (R) - Continued
that the US government and the US people decide before the conflict whether we are committed to winning at all costs or not. If we are not, then we cannot afford
to go in. There is no sense sending young men and women to die for something we are not committed to win. If we can commit as a nation to winning, then we can
go. Regarding the global threat of terrorism, one of our best defenses is an armed populous. Beyond that we must remain vigilant and be prepared to respond in
the event of a substantive attack on our soil or against our interests.
SOCIAL SECURITY/MEDICARE: I believe Social Security and Medicare should be phased out entirely starting as soon as possible. Those who have paid into
these programs should have the option to opt out, be bought out, or stay in. Ideally, enough people would choose to opt out or buy out that it would significantly decrease the program. No new individuals would be added to the program. Of course, this would likely be very costly, and it would mean we would need to cut other
programs to pay to phase these ones out, but in the long run it would save Americans quite a bit of money once the programs were phased out entirely. Ultimately,
the less money the Federal government spends, the better off we as Americans are.
TAX CODE: I support a low, flat tax across personal income and business profits. Ideally this would be in the range of 7% to 10%, though we would likely need to
phase down to these tax levels over a number of years. In order to pay off our debt we would need to cut Federal spending at a more rapid pace than the lowering
of Federal taxes. The above described plan is a very ideal one, however I am generally in favor of most plans that would lower taxes or create a flat tax.
OTHER ISSUES: Spending, the national debt, and foreign policy are huge issues right now. The Federal government must stop its out-of-control spending and
start paying down the debt, which means no more deficit spending. Our foreign policy is a mess, and will not improve until Congress takes responsibility for things
like our wars in the Middle East, and our sloppy handling of gun running to Mexican Cartels and the like.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (469) 416-6580; Web Site: http://paulbrowntx.com; Email: info@paulbrowntx.com
Cherie Myint Roughneen (R)
IMMIGRATION: Enforce the Laws and Regulations. The System is Broken only because the
Laws are not Enforced. If the Law is broken then Repeal and We will Replace.
U.S. Representative
FOREIGN INTERVENTION: Any threat from foreign or domestic entities to the well being and
the safety and security of the citizens of the United States of America will be considered a
District 32
reason or circumstance to support use of combat force in a foreign conflict. Now you are asking
question in a hypothetical sense therefore this will have to be revisited and clarified.
SOCIAL SECURITY/MEDICARE: Why should it ever get to where we have to discuss this. I have paid into this program. My husband, family
members, friends, neighbors and you the members that ask me these question have all paid into this scheme. Now, you ask me what will I support to change this fraud that has been hoisted upon the American citizens? First and foremost, I would round up and haul up the characters that
hoisted the greatest heist in the history of the United States of America and haul them off to jail. Then I would try them an prosecute them to the fullest extent of the
Law/ Thereafter, I would simultaneously dismantle the Affordable Act a fraud and deceptive practice to go to its grave, never to be resurrected again. I would make
sure that those of us who paid for this receive full compensation . I will propose that there would be no statute of limitation on members of the government who
have committed fraud, waste and abuse on their constituents.
TAX CODE: A very simple solution. Flat Tax. You Buy. You Use. You Pay. This is Fair Taxation with representaion.
OTHER ISSUES: I believe, National Security is a pressing issue. Screen all who wish to come to America. vgorously with no exceptions. Secure Our Borders. Illegal Immigration is a threat to our way of life, health and well being. The jobs for our citizens is in jeopardy. Screen all vigorously with no apologies. We do not know
who is trying to seek asylum, persecution or economics What about Infection Control? Isn’t the healthcare of our citizens paramount? We do not endanger our
citizens for a political agenda. Screening of the health of all immigrants legal and illegal of any individuals arriving on the land and shores of America is a must for
the health and wellbeing of our citizens. We must have strict border security and control of who arrives into our country. We must Create opportunity for all citizens.
We must manufacture our own products. Prevent Monopolies. Get back to healthcare between the patient and the doctor. Eliminate government over reach and
term limits. Thank you.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 287-3203; Web Site: http://www.CherieForCongress,com; Email: cherie.roughneen@gmail.com
Pete Sessions (R)
IMMIGRATION: Voters have lost faith in the federal government to protect our borders. Due to that distrust, there’s
little support for immigration “reform”. Congress has to prove it will enforce our immigration law, beyond completing the
U.S. Representative fence on the southern border, which I support. We have to amend the “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals” (DACA)
law, which this administration has abused, encouraging tens of thousands of self-reported minors to enter the U.S.
District 32
without any documentation. We have to end “Catch and Release,” whereby persons residing illegally in our nation can
be set free on the promise of showing up later for a court hearing. (Few return; most disappear.) We have to deport immigrants with expired visas. (They
knew the rules when they came to our country and have ignored the law.) We have to take away federal funds from “sanctuary cities” and place a minimum sentence of five years for any illegal immigrant convicted of a violent crime, if they had been previously deported.
FOREIGN INTERVENTION: I oppose signaling to the enemy what our military will, or will not, do to win. Our policy is to defeat ISIS. That should be our only publicly
stated goal, and we should pursue it with far fewer engagement rules on our military, allowing it to better carry out its mission. ISIS has been emboldened by a vacillating
administration. In 2011, President Obama said our men and women in uniform were returning from Iraq, because “violence was down” and – in Afghanistan – we were
successfully “preventing the Taliban from re-establishing a stranglehold on the Afghan people.” Neither claim has turned out to be true. Iraq has been partitioned by the
bloodthirsty terrorist group, controlling about a third of Iraq and its fifth-largest city. In Afghanistan, the Taliban has stepped up its attacks on American soldiers. President
Obama has been too accommodating to our enemies, such as Iran, while being too harsh on our allies, like Israel. His misjudgments have jeopardized our national security.
SOCIAL SECURITY/MEDICARE: To ensure the success and solvency of Social Security, we need to allow any person to opt out of Social Security to begin developing their own private accounts. Specifically, individuals should be able to save their own money on a pretax basis and their employer to provide a retirement
program.I believe that any long-term solution for Social Security proposed by Congress must be voluntary and equal to or greater than the current benefit that
workers receive, not change the current system for Americans 62 and older, and provide workers with individual choice and opportunities to allow these workers to
diversify their assets. I believe that individual choice and opportunities are crucial for any Social Security reform plan and that by allowing workers to diversify their
assets will make for a stronger and safer retirement security plan for American workers. Inaction on this issue is not a solution – either massive tax increases or
benefit cuts will result if this is not addressed today.
pg. 34
Pete Sessions (R) - Continued
TAX CODE: In his 2011 State of the Union speech, President Obama called for a tax reduction on business earnings to spur job growth. In the five years since,
nothing has happened. This President is often more concerned with his speeches than working with Congress to take action. If he had worked a tenth as much on
tax reform as he has, say, on renewable energy, we would likely have lower taxes on families and businesses today, along with a simplified tax code. Your question
puzzles. “Some people believe?” I know of no one who thinks our tax code is NOT onerous. Of course our tax laws hinder job growth! I favor fewer tax brackets
with lower rates on individuals and families. We should also reduce the top tax rate on business– no higher than 25%, maybe less to stay competitive with other
nations. To keep American companies from re-locating overseas, we should stop taxing business income earned outside the U.S. We’re the only developed nation
with that policy; it’s killing jobs in the U.S.
OTHER ISSUES: We should make job growth our highest priority. Our economy needs to grow faster. We cannot tolerate the sub-two percent growth rate which
we have experienced during the Obama administration. The formula for job creation is simple: Fewer federal regulations on business and lower taxes on individuals, families and businesses. These policies have worked in Texas; they’ll work nationwide. Federal regulations under this administration have become particularly
burdensome. Dodd-Frank, passed by Democrats to supposedly end “too-big-to-fail” banking, has instead harmed local and regional banks, none of which had anything to do with the 2008 financial crisis. From that one piece of legislation, the administration has released more than 19,000 pages of new regulations, leading to
fewer banks making loans to credit-worthy small businesses. It’s time to unleash business startups and job creation. Free enterprise is the engine for achieving the
American Dream; it’s time to re-start the engine.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 373-8585; Web Site: http://petesessions.com; Email: petesessions12@gmail.com
M. Mark Mitchell (R) - no response
Bruce Chadwick (R)
IMMIGRATION: Secure borders, enforce laws, reject amnesty, address causes of illegal immigration, provide
reasonable pathways to citizenship, reject illegal alien birthright, and improve work visas and permits. Illegal
U.S. Representative,
aliens in the United States should be required to begin the naturalization process or be deported.
FOREIGN INTERVENTION: US military action should only be used to defend its citizens, their property, and
District 33
national interests such as nation-building, humanitarian aid, peace efforts, to protect allies, and similar circumstances surrounding national interests.Based on Article 1 and II of the Constitution, Congress is the one who is supposed to decide whether or
not to use military might, and the President then manages the fight authorized by Congress. The President and Congress should work together to
authorize all military campaigns. The 1973 War Powers Resolution should be reexamined.
SOCIAL SECURITY/MEDICARE: Everyone including the top 6% of wage earners should be required to pay the same percentage of social security taxes. Currently wages above $113,700.00 annually are not burdened by Social Security taxes. With the widening gap between the rich and the poor in the United States
and the rich getting richer, the rich do not have to pay Social Security tax on much of their profits. At least 90% of all wages in America need to be taxed for Social
Security to be solvent. However because of the cap, only 80% of all wages are getting taxed. The cap must be removed to keep Social Security solvent.
TAX CODE: The real problem with the US tax system is the tax code itself. When three IRS auditors look over the same tax return and get three entirely different answers, the code has become too complex and too easy to misinterpret. The tax code must be reformed, and there must be tax relief especially for poor and
middle class Americans. The simple flat tax plan of Ted Cruz and the bold tax plan of Donald Trump both have merit. Either plan will certainly bolster the American
economy and reduce the chasm between the poor and rich.
OTHER ISSUES: There are many issues that are important to the next session of Congress. I believe for the national security of our country, that immigration is
our most important issue. That has already been addressed above. I also believe the health care issue must be reexamined and to stimulate the economy, we
must address our overall taxation system.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Phone: (817) 927-0581; Email: chadwickforcongress@yahoo.com; Website: www.chadwickforcongress.com
RAILROAD
COMMISSIONER
EDUCATION: State your education
BACKGROUND: What training, experience, and characteristics qualify you
for this position?
TRANS-PECOS NATURAL GAS PIPELINE: How would you balance the
environmental concerns of Big Bend residents related to construction of the
Trans-Pecos Natural Gas Pipeline with oil and gas industry interests?
6-year term. Must be at least 25 years old, a Texas resident, and a registered voter.
Regulates the oil & gas industry, gas utilities, pipeline safety, safety in the liquefied
petroleum gas industry, & surface coal and uranium mining in Texas.
FRACKING: What are the main health and safety issues related to oil and
gas drilling (fracking) in urban areas, and how would you address them?
OTHER: Aside from the issues above, what are the two most serious issues
the Railroad Commission will face during the next term, and how would you
address them?
pg. 35
Railroad Commissioner - Continued
Gary Gates (R) - no response
Wayne Christian (R) - no response
Lance Christian (R)
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science - Geological Sciences, 1994 Bachelor of Arts - Geography, 1995 Masters
Program - Geological Sciences (incomplete)
Railroad Commissioner EXPERIENCE: As a geologist (P.G. 10342) in the Groundwater Advisory Unit, I am the only candidate with
Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) experience. I am a technically oriented person with no previous political experience that will analyze issues
objectively, while serving no political interests.
TRANS-PECOS NATURAL GAS PIPELINE: Most of the environmental concerns for natural gas pipelines are acute issues during the initial construction phase. Pollution concerns are minimal compared to denser hydrocarbon products that may enter the groundwater and linger. If the construction is
carried out with a minimal environ. footprint, the pipeline scar would likely not be visible in a few years. Most pipeline locations today are unknown to the
public. If special issues arise then consideration of those issues would be required.
FRACKING: There are two primary threats from ‘fracking’ activities. First, is the possibility of groundwater contamination by induced fracturing. Effective groundwater
sampling programs before drilling, during well development, and after completion is the most definitive method to discern pollution issues. Additional casing and cementing
may be necessary in well construction plans to prevent such issues. Second, are issues relating to induced seismicity. Those issues warrant further investigation.
OTHER: The impending review by the Sunset Commission in 2016 is the most important issue that will be faced by the RRC. This review, coupled with the state of the
oil & gas industry, will create a storm of scrutiny over the next year. As an employee of the RRC, I will be best suited to explain RRC functions to the legislature. Secondly, induced seismicity issues in North Texas are a concern to residents in that area. As a geologist, I am the best qualified candidate to review seismicity studies.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (512) 443-1032; Email: lancenchristian@yahoo.com; Address: 1730 East Oltorf #215 Austin, TX 78741
Ron Hale (R)
EDUCATION: Technical School TBFAA Tomball College
EXPERIENCE: Being a licensed professional engineer and private security consultant for the Texas energy
Railroad Commissioner industry for the last 18 years..
TRANS-PECOS NATURAL GAS PIPELINE: Everything has to be done by the standard provided by Title 16. We need to do a better job explaining the benefits to the public in the area.
FRACKING: There are no main health issues related to fracking. Fracking has been around for 60+ years. Think about this the drill hole is
12,000-15,000 feet deep. That’s at least 10 Empire state building stacked on top of each other.
OTHER: Efficiency : Updating the technology the Texas RRC uses in day to day operations. Education : The Texas RRC needs to do a better job
educating the public through partnerships with colleges and public access TV.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (281) 861-4872: Web Site: http://ronhalefortexas.com: Email: info@ronhalefortexas.com
John Greytok (R)
EDUCATION: B.A. Economics (with Honors), UT Austin J.D. (with Honors), UT Austin
EXPERIENCE: This position is basically a judicial one. The Railroad Commission functions as a tribunal.
Railroad Commissioner While there is not space for my full resume, in short I am the only candidate with the legal training, knowledge and experience to do a good job from day one.
TRANS-PECOS NATURAL GAS PIPELINE: The Railroad Commission must balance the rights of landowners and industry across Texas and not
solely in regard to the Trans-Pecos pipeline. We must ensure that any development meets the proper standards and protects all Texans.
FRACKING: All state agencies, including the Railroad Commission must give priority to the health, safety, and welfare of all Texans. We must
always be alert and open to new information about the costs and risks of industrial activities. When reliable engineering and other data are available, we should take steps to protect the health and safety of all Texans.
OTHER: First, stabilize the agency by successfully completing the Sunset Review. Second, continue crucial technology upgrades. Third, we must fight back
against the Obama EPA’s irrational war on the Texas energy Industry.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (512) 571-2016; Web Site: http://www.johngreytok.com; Email: info@johngreytok.com; Address: PO Box 29238
Austin, TX 78755
i
get them.
pg. 36
Railroad Commissioner - Continued
Weston Martinez (R)
EDUCATION: BACHELORS BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION TEXAS CERTIFIED MEDIATOR AT&T ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING PROGRAM
Railroad Commissioner EXPERIENCE: My first had Oil & Gas experience as a business owner, where I worked with Operators
and land owners within the confines of the regulated oil and gas industry in the Eagle Ford Shale.2: My 4 years experience as Texas Real Estate
Commissioner. I am the grassroots tea-party conservative in this race
TRANS-PECOS NATURAL GAS PIPELINE: Responsible development through accountability and transparency is key to energy independence
in Texas. Enforcing the many rules in place while keeping the public informed is the way to ensure public confidence and industry success which
keeps our economy alive and healthy.
FRACKING: Ensuring integrity of water supply and safety of populations is the 2 most important issues, which would be addressed by increasing transparency
while continuing to responsibly develop our resources.
OTHER: We achieve the above goals by increasing technology in reporting and finding new ways to frack responsibly. This will keeping Texas moving forward.
This is how we develop responsibly and economically. As Texas Rail Road Commissioner I will fight for every Texan to have an Energy Independent Future. The
conservative leaders across Texas are supporting me because I know the issues, I know the Process, and I know how to fight for Texas Values. visit and share
www.westonfortexas.com
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (210) 816-2018; Web Site: http://www.westonfortexas.com; Email: info@westonfortexas.com; Video: https://www.
youtube.com/v/rribwTbqKIM; Address: 14427 BrookHollow suite 312 San Antonio, Texas 78232
Doug Jeffrey (R)
EDUCATION: Texas Tech Poli Sci Duquesne Masters in Leadership and Business Ethics Squadron Officer
School Air Command and Staff College
Railroad Commissioner EXPERIENCE: As an officer in the USAF I consistently found ways to save millions of taxpayer dollars. I’ll
take that experience and help ensure regulations are standardized, safe and effective while always looking for ways to be more efficient.
TRANS-PECOS NATURAL GAS PIPELINE: As Railroad Commissioner I will make sure the oil and gas industry is doing things the right way. I
want my children to enjoy Big Bend just like I did growing up in Texas.
FRACKING: My number one priority is for the oil and gas industry to be safe and effective. Urban areas want safe production and my goal is
ensure that happens.
OTHER: The price of oil is the most serious issue. If we are smart about how we run the Railroad Commission we can ensure the industry weathers these challenging times. The second issue is we need to ensure we have a standardized training system to make sure standards are being met across the board.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (940) 839-8497; Web Site: http://DougJeffrey4Texas.com; Email: doug@dougjeffrey4Texas.com; Address: 3821
WIlbarger St Vernon, TX 76384
If you’re a student who spends several weeks or months a year in different locations but wants to
vote in Texas, you’ll need to decide which place in Texas is the place you call “home,” i.e., where
you intend to return after you’ve been away. If you consider your parents’ address to be your permanent residence, you may use that address as your registration address. If you would like to register to vote at your college address, you may do so, but you can’t be registered in both places.
If you consider yourself a permanent resident of another state, you’ll need to consult with officials
there for registration and ballot-by-mail procedures.
If you’re attending a college or university away from home, you can vote early by mail if you claimed
as your primary residence the address where you live while not attending school – in other words,
where a parent or guardian lives.
pg. 37
JUSTICE, SUPREME
COURT
judge. Reviews all death penalty cases & applications for habeas corpus in felony
cases, hears final appeals on criminal cases, & administers publicly funded judicial
and attorney education.
this position?
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS: The Texas Supreme Court oversees and
controls rules and standards for the legal profession. What changes to the attorney disciplinary rules are needed to provide better protection to the public?
JUSTICE FOR ALL: How have you worked toward improving access to
justice for all Texans and what role should the Texas Supreme Court play in
ensuring access to justice?
Justice, Texas Supreme Court - Place 3
Michael Messengale (R) - no response
Debra Lehrmann (R)
EDUCATION: A member of Phi Beta Kappa, I graduated with high honors from The University of Texas in
1979 and The University of Texas School of Law in 1982; I am a candidate for an L.L.M. in Judicial Studies
Justice, Texas Supreme from Duke University School of Law.
EXPERIENCE: With a total of 28 years judicial experience, I have served on this Court for 6 years and have
Court - Place 3
written on a vast number of complex legal matters including oil and gas, contract interpretation, commercial,
corporate and securities law, tax, torts, family and probate law, civil procedure & evidence.
IMPARTIALITY: The importance of judicial independence—that is, the duty to apply the law equally and neutrally to all parties—cannot be overstated. It is imperative that judges serve with humility, that they exercise restraint, and that they fairly and neutrally apply the law equally to all
litigants. I am bound by the Code of Judicial Conduct to apply these principles across the board, and never waiver in my obligation to do so.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS: I have the honor of serving as the Court’s liaison to the Board of Disciplinary Appeals and the Commission for Lawyer Discipline.
In this capacity, I have devoted many hours to ensuring that complaints are handled in an efficient and just manner. The recently enacted Civility Oath is an example of the Court’s ongoing concern that lawyers conduct themselves with utmost professionalism at all times.
JUSTICE FOR ALL: As an attorney, I provided pro bono work in a variety of areas; as a judge, I have worked on many projects to ensure that legal assistance
is available to the indigent. I worked tirelessly with the State Legislature to ensure that funds are available. The Court must continue its work in this critical area
because if justice is available only to those who can afford legal representation, justice is available to no one.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (512) 637-7080; Web Site: http://judgedebralehrmann.com; Email: Debra@judgedebralehrmann.com
Paul Green (R) - no response
Rick Green (R)
EDUCATION: J.D., U. of Texas School of Law, B.B.A. Finance, Angelo State Univ., Wylie High School, Wylie, Texas
Justice, Texas Supreme EXPERIENCE: Licensed mediator, former TX Legislator, author and teacher for over 15 years on the proper
jurisdictions of the government as outlined in the Constitution.
Court - Place 5
IMPARTIALITY: My donors are made up mainly of grassroots supporters and not law firms who practice in
front of the court. Additionally, I have a proven legislative record of not letting contributions influence my decisions and that will not change.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS: Sometimes public servants take action, just to take action, and make things worse. I’m open to learning about specific needs for changes to the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, but I am not personally advocating for specific changes at this time.
JUSTICE FOR ALL: In addition to my practice of law for nearly 20 years, I have educated citizens about their constitutional rights and how to assert them, including within the civil courts. The Supreme Court, acting only with authority granted by the people in the Texas Constitution and via the people’s elected representatives in the legislature, should promulgate rules that provide/ensure justice, not just fairness; and decide cases with respect for and strict adherence to the state
and federal constitutions.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (512) 361-7116; Web Site: http://www.RickGreen4Texas.com; Email: campaign@rickgreen.com; Address: 2795
West Highway 290 Dripping Springs, TX 78620
pg. 38
Joe Pool (R) - no response
Eva Guzman (R)
EDUCATION: Duke University School of Law, L.L.M. Judicial Studies South Texas College of Law., Juris
Doctor University of Houston, B.B.A.
Justice, Texas Supreme EXPERIENCE: The depth and breadth of my experience includes service at 3 levels of the Texas Judiciary.
As a Supreme Court Justice, I have ruled on thousands of civil appeals. I bring to my work a conservative
Court - Place 9
judicial philosophy, a strong work ethic, superior credentials and a firm commitment to excellence.
IMPARTIALITY: As judicial candidates, we have an obligation to inform the public about our qualifications and the issues in judicial races. Under
the present system, funding for judicial races comes from many sources, including lawyers. But, importantly, the many Texans that have supported my campaign expect and ask only one thing: that I perform my duties with the dignity, honor, honesty and integrity that is expected of the office
-- it is a request that I am proud to uphold each and every day.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS: As a Court, we serve the public interest well when we promulgate rules and standards that protect the public and that are also
fair to all stakeholders in our system of justice. The present rules are imperfect and should be revisited to address changes that may be necessary due to new
technologies, 21st century practice models, and other substantive deficiencies. An effective rule-making process will include input from the public and the Bar.
JUSTICE FOR ALL: I am the Supreme Court of Texas Liasion to the Access to Justice Commission. In that role, I have led and participated in local and national
efforts to improve access to our courts by the almost 6 millions Texans who live at or below the poverty level. But, even people making a modest wage cannot afford lawyers. The Court should continue to lead efforts that promote and support policies, procedures, court rules, and legislation that open the courthouse doors
for all Texans, especially Veterans.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (512) 637-4223; Web Site: http://www.evaguzman.com; Email: info@evaguzman.com; Address: 815-A Brazos,
PMB 279 Austin, Tx 78701
JUDGE TEXAS COURT OF
CRIMINAL APPEALS
EXPERIENCE: What training, experience, and characteristics qualify you for this position?
Ray Wheless (R)
EDUCATION: I earned my GED in the Air Force during the Vietnam War era and attended college at
night. I earned a Bachelors in Business Administration at California State University and a Doctor of JurisJudge Texas Court of
prudence from the University of Texas at Austin, Texas’ top law school. Double Board Certified. AV rated.
Criminal Appeals Place 2 EXPERIENCE: I offer the broadest legal experience. My twenty-one years pre-judge experience trying criminal and civil cases and my AV rating placing me in the top 5% of all lawyers is unmatched. As a
judge, I have disposed of over 23,000 cases, conducted over 500 jury trials and sat as an appellate judge.
IMPARTIALITY: I was appointed to my first bench as a County Court at Law Judge and appointed by the Governor as a District Judge. I have
never had an opponent. Because I didn’t have to campaign, I did not accept campaign contributions until a few years ago. I have now received
contributions from a broad cross section of citizens. Most of these people are not criminal defense lawyers and will never have cases before me. I pledge that I will
follow the Rule Of Law and administer justice blindly.
ACCOMPLISHMENT: I created the first DWI/Drug Court Program in Collin County and serve as the Chairman of the Specialized Courts Advisory Council to Governor Greg Abbott. My role is to establish best practices and recommend funding to the Governor for alternatives to incarceration such as Veterans Court Programs and Drug Court Programs. As a member of this Court, I will help to shape our criminal justice system policy and help administer State funds to train judges
in these specialized courts.
OTHER: 1. Statewide electronic filing of all documents in criminal cases still needs to be implemented. A hearing is scheduled in April of this year to address these
issues. Provisions will have to be made to allow pro se citizens to file paper documents. 2. The Court is struggling with issues surrounding the Michael Morton Act
requiring prosecutors and law enforcement to turn over all exculpatory evidence. This Court must affirm proper convictions but remain vigilant against wrongful
convictions.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 403-5770; Web Site: http://judgeraywheless.com; Email: ray@judgeraywheless.com; Video: https://www.
youtube.com/v/X8wohPaBsV8; Address: P.O. Box 6143 McKinney, TX 75071
pg. 39
Judge Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Place 2 - Continued
Mary Lou Keel (R)
EDUCATION: JD, University of Houston, 1985 BA, University of Texas, 1982
EXPERIENCE: Felony trial court judge, 1995-present. Trial and appellate prosecutor 1986-1994. Briefing
attorney, First Court of Appeals, 1985-86. Board certified in criminal law since 1990. Top-rated among my
Criminal Appeals Place 2 peers in the 2015 Houston Bar Association Judicial Poll for impartiality and following the law.
IMPARTIALITY: Iron discipline.
ACCOMPLISHMENT: The Court of Criminal Appeals hears criminal cases on appeal, nothing else. Candidates for that court should demonstrate
an aptitude for that kind of work. I do. I represented the State in 279 criminal cases on appeal when I was a Harris County prosecutor. My opponents have handled criminal appeals numbering in the single digits.
OTHER: (1) I would like to see the court issue its opinions more decisively, i.e., without the need for rehearing. (2) I would like the court to issue its opinions in a
more timely fashion. I would address these issues by lending my three decades of experience to the job and working hard.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (713) 755-6778; Web Site: http://www.maryloukeel.com; Email: judgemlkeel@gmail.com; Address: 1100 Leeland
#250 Houston, TX 77002
Chris Oldner (R)
EDUCATION: Texas Tech University School of Law - Juris Doctorate, 1993 Baylor University - Bachelor of
Arts, 1989 Plano East Senior High School - High School Diploma, 1985
EXPERIENCE: Fearless integrity and an entire professional career committed to the improvement of the
Criminal Appeals Place 2 criminal justice system. I am the top rated judge in Collin County. With 15 years as a trial judge, I have never
been reversed in a felony case. My statewide judicial leadership is unmatched in this race.
IMPARTIALITY: This is the constant tension in judicial races. The best counter-measure to the concern for bias due to political contributions is
requiring full transparency in filings with the Ethics Commission that are easily searchable and thorough. In addition, I believe it is incumbent for
any judge hearing a case to disclose to all parties if a significant donor represents a party before him or her. The system must not only be fair to all
parties, but also be perceived as fair by all.
ACCOMPLISHMENT: In 2007 I served as the Local Administrative Judge for all the Collin County district courts. In August of that year, we were moved from the
courthouse we had occupied since 1979 into the new courthouse. The move involved several offices that serve the courts and every district court. I led a team of
judges and clerks that orchestrated the complete move with less than two days of normal court operations disrupted, and maintained at least one operational court
to address any emergency.
OTHER: First, maintaining pace with scientific advancement to ensure that the rules of evidence and post conviction remedies keep pace and attorneys are
informed. Second, continuing the positive momentum and advancements in indigent defense so that counsel for the defense is not only adequately compensated,
but also thoroughly trained and prepared to provide representation that meets and exceeds constitutional minimums.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (972) 832-2276; Web Site: http://www.chrisoldner.com; Email: judgeoldner@chrisoldner.com; Address: PO Box
2522 McKinney, TX 75070
Scott Walker (R) - no response
Steve Smith (R)
EDUCATION: I graduated with Honors from the University of Texas School of Law in 1986. UT Law is
generally recognized as not only the best law school in Texas, but the best law school in the Southwestern
United States.
Criminal Appeals Place 5 EXPERIENCE: I served as a Texas Supreme Court justice and authored numerous opinions. My conservative judicial philosophy is another important qualification. My prior litigation experience includes litigating
the Hopwood v. Texas case that eliminated unconstitutional racial preferences at Texas universities.
IMPARTIALITY: I believe that state judges should continue to be elected. The core task of the judiciary is to efficiently and fairly resolve cases by
applying Texas law to the facts. Direct elections make the state judiciary accountable to Texas voters, allowing citizens to remove judges who are
inefficient, unfair, or who legislate from the bench. However, because of the inherent conflict of interest that arises, campaign contributions from attorneys to judges
should be strictly limited.
ACCOMPLISHMENT: I am proud of my service on the Texas Supreme Court. My judicial philosophy mirrors that of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Scalia: textualism
and rejection of the liberal “living constitution” theory. When reviewing a constitutional or statutory provision, judges should enforce the plain meaning of the text.
See, e.g., my majority opinion in the landmark case of Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services v. Mega Child Care, 145 S.W.3d 170 (Tex. 2004).
OTHER: First Issue: Whether the death penalty is constitutional in Texas. My view is that neither the United States Constitution nor the Texas Constitution prohibit
the death penalty. Others, including some Republicans, disagree. Second Issue: Whether the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals should be merged with the Texas
Supreme Court. I believe that such a merger would improve the state’s jurisprudence, improve the efficiency of both courts, and make high court justices more accountable to the voters.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (512) 923-0544; Web Site: http://www.ProvenConservative4Texas.com; Email: campaign@provenconservative4texas.com; Address: 5705 Galsworthy Court Austin, TX 78739
pg. 40
Judge Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Place 5 - Continued
Sid Harle (R)
Criminal Appeals Place 5
EDUCATION: Austin College 1974-1975; University of Texas 1975-1978; Bachelor of Arts with
Honors; St. Mary’s University School of Law - Juris Doctorate 1980
EXPERIENCE: Appointed to the 226th District Court Bench in 1988 by Gov William Clements;
previously Prosecutor and Defense Attorney State and Federal Courts; I have prosecuted, defended and presided over every conceivable type of criminal case, including Death Penalty litiga-
tion; I have a proven track record.
IMPARTIALITY: Contributions are a necessary evil in the current system, I limit amounts, much less than the maximum under the law and return
when no opponent files. Contributors are aware I rule on the law and the evidence, no favoritism and full public disclosure on all contributions.
ACCOMPLISHMENT: Appointed by Supreme Court to preside over the State of Texas vs. Michael Morton in Williamson County. It led to the discovery that Mr.
Morton had served 25 years in prison but was proven actually innocent by DNA. In addition, the prosecutor withheld favorable evidence that would have exonerated Mr. Morton. The actual perpetrator committed another murder while Mr. Morton was in prison. I exonerated Mr. Morton and instituted a criminal proceeding
against the prosecutor, who withheld evidence.
OTHER: The current issues on problems involving forensic science, including DNA, which have led to a multitude of appeals on numerous cases. The Court must
continue to protect the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and individual liberties.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (210) 269-0197; Web Site: http://ElectSidHarle.com; Email: sidharle@gmail.com; Address: 203 Gardenview San
Antonio, Texas 78213
Brent Webster (R)
EDUCATION: J.D., University of Houston Law Center B.A. in Political Science, Southwestern University
EXPERIENCE: I’ve practiced Criminal law since 2006, and I have very diverse criminal, trial and appellate expeJudge Texas Court of
rience. I’ve handled everything from misdemeanors to murder and I’ve written appeals. I currently served as the
Criminal Appeals Place 5 General Counsel for the Williamson County District Attorney’s office.
IMPARTIALITY: I am running a grassroots campaign and have received many donations from a broad group of
people. They are donating to me because they believe in me. They trust that I am Conservative and will always do the right thing. As an appellate judge,
the quality of my work will be judged by the opinions that I write. Therefore, if I were to do something that is contrary to what the law requires (in a way that
is not impartial), then the voters would, and should, hold me accountable for that action.
ACCOMPLISHMENT: I am proud of how hard I fought for children that have been physically abused. I have been very successful helping multiple children get out of bad
environments where their life and physical safety was at risk. I believe this will make me a better judge because, not only will I be a strong advocate for our constitutional rights,
but I also have a deep and profound understanding of what victims of violent crime must live with for the rest of their lives.
OTHER: First, there is always a high volume of cases that can result in a backlog. I am running to work hard for Texas and I will use my skills and energy to help move the
caseload at the Court of Criminal Appeals. Second, I believe that our Constitutional Rights are under attack around the nation by the Government. As a Judge, I will make sure
that your rights are protected, especially your 1st Amendment right to Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Religion, and your 2nd Amendment right to bear arms.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (512) 736-9962; Web Site: http://www.VoteWebster.org; Email: brent@websterforjudge.com; Address: P.O. Box 171012
Austin, TX 78717
Richard Davis (R) - no response
Michael E. Keasler (R)
EDUCATION: B.A. University oif Texas at Austin, 1964 L.L.B. University of Texas School of Law, 1967
EXPERIENCE: 17 yrs Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, 17 yrs 292nd District Judge, 12 yrs Dallas Senior
Felony Chief Prosecutor 432 jury trials, former chair State Bar Judicial Section, 7 yrs dean, Texas Judicial ColCriminal Appeals Place 6 lege, 25 yrs National Judicial College faculty, teach ethics and constitutional law nationally.
IMPARTIALITY: So far, since I have been on the Court, I have not taken contributions from lawyers who
appear before me. Most of my contributions have come from friends and college fraternity brothers. But I sincerely believe that the overwhelming
majority of judges are principled, honest men and women who are not influenced by campaign contributions. And to do away with the appearance
of impropriety in judicial fundraising, you need to do away with judicial elections. That won’t happen in my lifetime.
ACCOMPLISHMENT: In 2011, with professors Joseph Hoffman and Penny White and attorney Robin Wosje, I co-wrote and taught a National Judicial College curriculum for appellate judges handling capital murder cases. Judges from all over the country attended the course and were very complimentary of its content and
teachers. My work on this curriculum and preparation for teaching it has been helpful in analyzing the capital cases I deal with regularly.
OTHER: The most pressing issue facing the Court is the new scientific information dealing with DNA analysis. This may result in a significant increase in our
habeas corpus litigation. We are currently coordinating with the scientific community, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges to deal with the issue justly and
effectively. This is a national issue, and, thanks largely to the efforts of our Court,Texas is the leader nationally in addressing it.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (512) 633-5508; Web Site: http://judgekeasler.com; NEmail: mekeasler@yahoo.com
pg. 41
STATE
LEGISLATOR
2 year term. Must be 21 or older, a US citizen, resident of Texas and the district
represented. Responsible for representing the citizens of the district in the Texas
House of Representatives.
EDUCATION: What changes, if any, should be made to public education and
its funding in Texas? What will be the benefits of your proposal(s)?
HEALTH CARE: Texas has chosen not to expand Medicaid using Federal
funds under the Affordable Care Act. Do you agree or disagree with this decision? Why?
TRANSPORTATION: What are the main transportation needs in Texas, and
how should they be funded?
the next session of the Texas Legislature and what is your position on these
issues?
Linda Koop (R)
EDUCATION: I believe education is the most consequential issue we face. If we get education right, we can fix
poverty and crime, and ensure the future growth of the economy and the middle class. The strength of our eduState Representative, cation will determine the strength of our future. Soon the courts will give us guidance on and the future funding
of public education. I believe we need to find a better approach to the funding formula and continue our efforts
District 102
to strengthen career readiness.
HEALTH CARE: I oppose the implementation of Obamacare in Texas and the expansion of Medicaid under that broken law; however, there is a
viable pathway to reforming Medicaid if the federal government will provide Texas with block grants. These grants would provide us greater local
control in delivering healthcare to the people who need it most. Rather than expanding a broken Medicaid system, we can stop the bleeding,
tighten the use of that money, and ensure that our uninsured get the care that they need. Washington has got to get out of the way, so Texas can
fix the problems it faces without a big government roadblock.
TRANSPORTATION: The 84th Legislature did a good job of addressing the transportation funding issues and continues to work on this in the interim. We reversed
a decades-old practice of using money in the State Highway Fund for programs other than transportation. With the voters’ approval last November, the state will
now dedicate a portion of the state sales tax and motor vehicle sales tax to the Highway Fund. This new approach plus several other initiatives passed last session
may increase highway funds by $5billion a year. It will be important during the interim to review statewide project selection criteria and revenue projections. Additionally, the Select Committee on Transportation Planning will be looking at a plan to eliminate toll roads.
OTHER ISSUES: Chief among my priorities is ensuring a strong Texas economy by keeping taxes low, lowering regulations and creating more jobs and opportunities for hard-working Texans. Government will enable the people to provide for themselves by stepping out of the way and letting job creators and innovators thrive.
We need to empower individuals to drive Texas forward.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (469) 319-0879; Web Site: http://LindaKoop.com; Email: Linda@LindaKoop.com
Rodney Anderson (R) - no response
Kenneth Sheets (R) - no response
Morgan Meyer (R)
EDUCATION: Public education needs a number of reforms, including salary structures that reward quality and
performance, not tenure. We also need a system that prepares students to succeed in college if they want to
State Representative, pursue higher education, but also develops well-rounded citizens who are ready to enter the workforce as an informed and engaged citizen ready to contribute to their community. I also believe that the constant litigation over
District 108
public school funding itself is clear evidence that education choices are best made at the local and family levels.
The state has always failed to create and fund an equitable system that treats all students and taxpayers fairly. I support school choice because I
believe a lot of progress could be made by further empowering parents with the ability to decide what is best for their children and their family.
HEALTH CARE: I agree that Texas was right not to expand Medicaid and should continue to resist the pressure to do so. As with all federal programs, incentive dollars come with various strings and requirements. States that did decide to expand Medicaid may have received a large chunk of cash for doing
so, but that was contingent on agreeing to match those federal dollars with a certain amount of state funding. Now, those states face a quickly approaching challenge of finding enough state funds to meet those matching requirements. Texas is better off when it is free to make its own decisions, rather than being consumed
by meeting federal requirements that don’t have Texas’ best interests in mind. I don’t believe taking an already broken system and expanding it is in the best interest of Texas.
TRANSPORTATION: Texas continues to grow rapidly thanks to a low tax burden and a business friendly environment. However, much of our infrastructure lags
significantly behind our growth. Like health care, part of the problem is federal funds that subject Texas to huge financial, environmental, and other requirements
and restrictions. Texas needs to continue identifying its most congested roads, and prioritize funding so that progress can be made on addressing multiple projects
at once. The Legislature and the voters have taken decisive action over the past several years to put more funding into transportation projects. But, it is critical to
continue addressing our transportation infrastructure without saddling future generations of Texans with overwhelming levels of debt.
pg. 42
Morgan Meyer (R) - Continued
OTHER ISSUES: I believe it is essential for the Legislature to pass strong ethics reform legislation next session. I have been a vocal supporter of ethics reform
as a candidate and an office holder, and will continue to advocate for ethics legislation that improves government transparency, eliminates favorable treatment for
special interest groups and helps restore the public’s faith in campaigns and the legislative process.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 871-7723; Web Site: http://morganmeyerfortexas.com; Email: morgan@morganmeyerfortexas.com
A. Denise Russell (R)
EDUCATION: Obviously the State of Education needs changing, Texas Public Education needs parent
involvement. Without the aid, assistance, and help of the parents, Texas will always rank very low when
State Representative,
American Education Standards are tested / challenged. On my website, I state how I will introduce laws
that will promote the rankings of our Public Education system (adeniserussell.net) Texas Lawmakers need
District 109
to create laws that will aid with causing and creating stronger partnerships between the parents and the
school system by passing legislation to enhance projects such as the current Parent Portal Program. With financial support to my campaign. My
proposed benefits will lead to no Public Educated Student needing to attend remedial courses upon entering college. If elected, I promise to revamp old and propose new legislature for Texas schools offering parents/guardian tutoring to effectively help their child with school work.
HEALTH CARE: The expansion of Medicaid is highly important to all Americans because there is a need for every citizen to have medical coverage of some type. I plan on introducing a new method that will be fair to all Texans (see my website at adeniserussell.net). What Texas has chosen to avoid is added
cost to a not proven system for the current Medicaid expansion programs, which is why we need and want more factual evidence before choosing to join any expansion.
I will continue the call for factual proof that expanding Medicaid is good for all Americans (to help, my donation account for signs and other campaign expenses is Bank of
America Acct.#: 488033012098. We do not need to use Federal funds to allow an already overreaching Federal government more control, as this is not in the best interest
of those who want smaller governmental control. I agree with the Affordable Care Act, but I would seek changes within it to give more control to the States.
TRANSPORTATION: According to my website (adeneiserussell.net), I want to revamp the methods of funding for freeways in the State of Texas. Our transportation needs are being addressed with funds that Texas taxpayers already pay through at least five different forms of transportation taxes. All Texans’ main focus
should be on the fact that freeways were acceptably funded before tollway funding was invented. I need the authority (and financial support) from voters to go
back and fix what caused freeways to segue into tollways (Bank of America Acct.#: 488033012098). If I am voted into office, the entire State of Texas will utilize my
abilities, desires, and smarts to best the transportation needs of our ever growing population by giving me a chance to fix numerous transportation issues; while
revamping pass laws, using local community input.
OTHER ISSUES: Please see my website adeniserussell.net for more topics I plan on addressing when elected. My email is russell4you@yahoo.com.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 374-3465; Web Site: http://adeniserussell.net; Email: russell4you@yahoo.com
Chad O Jackson (R)
EDUCATION: Texas should be a pro-school choice state. This would provide an element of competition within
the educational realm, thereby motivating schools to perform at a higher and more effective level, while also
State Representative, providing parents with the option to place their child(ren) in schools that cater to their respective learning
style(s).
District 111
HEALTH CARE: I agree with the decision because an expansion would have increased benefits for nondisabled, childless adults. I believe that states should have the power to control the eligibility and benefits, and that Texas should use that power to
tailor Medicaid to fit the needs of those who need it most. As for low-income, nondisabled, childless adults, it would be wise to subsidize funds
from the Medicaid program and allow them to purchase a personalized health insurance policy that tailors to their respective needs, thus entrusting them with the responsibility of maintaining their own health care.
TRANSPORTATION: In addition to the reconstruction of roads and highways across the state, I believe that public transportation systems could stand to be
expanded across this state in order to provide a means of transportation for low-income working families, students, the environmentally conscious, those who are
otherwise transportation-less and everyone in between. I am okay with accepting federal funds to expand those transportation systems as long as the state is not
restricted by excessive federal regulations.
OTHER ISSUES: no response –
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (682) 201-4629; Web Site: http://www.chadfortexas.com; Email: chadforstaterep@gmail.com
Chris DeHart (R) - no response
Angie Chen Button (R)
EDUCATION: Unfortunately Texas is hostage to strings-attached federal funding. As also true for federal
Medicaid dollars, the federal government should block grant its funding. This would enable more efficient
local control. At a state level, much depends on the school finance case pending in the Texas Supreme
State Representative,
Court. Generally school financing is still too dependent on property taxes. The property tax base is too
variable among rich and poor school districts. Additionally its nexus to school costs is questionable
District 112
because school costs track students rather than property values. Aside from overall funding issues, our education platform must transition into the
digital age. I am proud that the Texas Computer Education Association recognized my efforts through its Digital Champion Award in 2013. Digitization will enable more of what parents want in terms of access, quality, etc. In the long term, it will reduce costs. Teachers will always be critical to
the success of our education system.
HEALTH CARE: I agree with the decision not to expand Medicaid. The existing Medicaid program is too costly and inefficient. The federal government should block grant its Medicaid contribution. This would give Texas the latitude to craft solutions that fit local dynamics. Further such solutions should enable
proper incentives. We have already witnessed immense harm caused by federal micromanagement entrenched in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care
Act (Obamacare). Insurers have suffered unsustainable losses causing them to drop policies, patients have suffered anxiety from a loss of control, and we face a
grave threat to our country’s fiscal health.
TRANSPORTATION: Transportation requires an all the above approach. The private sector does very well in terms of a competitive airline industry. Mass transit
pg. 43
Angie Chen Button (R) - Continued
has proven itself in our urban areas. Its challenge has been getting benefitting parties to share the costs. There is indirect payback from the rising property tax
base that we have seen for transit oriented developments. The direct payback from just getting others off the road is in a sense a free-rider benefit enjoyed by
those who do drive. The state has underfunded road transportation for too long. The legislature has made strides in ending funding diversions, and has recently
dedicated more funding with the passage of Prop 7. I do hope that economic growth as discussed in the next response will allow more funding in the future.
OTHER ISSUES: Ultimately we need to decide on the best recipe for economic growth. Without such growth we cannot adequately fund the three main state responsibilities of education, transportation, and the health safety net. Fortunately our state has long recognized that we should optimize the overall business climate
to encourage job creation. The challenge is ever sharper global competition. Now our competitor can be just a keystroke away. During this interim my Economic
and Small Business Development Committee is considering nine Interim Charges. These charges are our homework to prepare for the next legislative session.
One of my committee’s assignments is to study the impacts of the declining price of oil and the continuously depressed price of natural gas. I mention this study to
illustrate that optimizing our business climate must consider diversifying and upgrading our economic tax base.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (972) 763-5869; Web Site: http://www.angiebutton.com; Email: angiechenbutton112@gmail.com
Cindy Burkett (R) - no response
Jonathan Boos (R) - no response
Jason Villalba (R) - no response
Dan Morenoff (R) - no response
Matt Rinaldi (R)
EDUCATION: Robin Hood is the number one problem in Texas public education and must be abolished. In addition,
school funding is systematically flawed and must be reformed, with an emphasis on driving dollars to the classroom
State Representative, where they belong. I would eliminate costly mandates, thereby freeing up more resources for our teachers and students, and return local control to promote greater efficiency in our public schools.
District 115
HEALTH CARE: Obamacare has had disastrous effects on the price and quality of health care in the United States
and I oppose any effort to implement or expand it in Texas. I would instead extend affordable coverage to more Texans by eliminating unnecessary state
regulations that inflate the cost of health insurance plans and would seek a federal waiver for Medicaid block grants, in order to give the state greater
certainty in the Medicaid budget from year-to-year and greater flexibility to run the program.
TRANSPORTATION: Additional appropriations are needed to meet our growing transportation demands while eliminating toll roads in Texas. I would
end all diversions from existing gas tax revenue and dedicate a portion of existing vehicle sales tax revenue to road construction to meet our transportation needs without
raising taxes or fees.
OTHER ISSUES: First, border security and illegal immigration will be a pressing issue. I support eliminating government benefits to illegals and ending sanctuary cities in
Texas. Second, balancing the state budget without raising taxes will be a focus, as it always is. I will not vote for any budget that increases spending by more than population growth plus inflation or raises taxes. Third, the state needs a real constitutional spending cap at inflation plus population growth, which I support. Finally, the state must
promote excellence in education through positive student-focused reforms.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (501) 681-2161; Web Site: http://www.MattRinaldi.com; Email: matt@mattrinaldi.com
Bennett Ratliff (R)
EDUCATION: The State of Texas should provide adequate and equitable resources for all students, while allowing flexibility for local districts to control enrichment and property tax rates. I have been a tireless opponent of the
State Representative, “Robin Hood” system of school finance since my service as a school board trustee and believe that the finance
system is unconstitutional and needs to be completely overhauled with a system that restores local control of
District 115
our public schools. I have studied school finance issues for many years and I will provide leadership in the next
legislative session on options to reform school finance once the supreme court rules on the current system. We also need to reduce high-stakes
testing of our students and mandates on our teachers to return control of our classrooms to the parents and teachers instead of Austin bureaucrats and politicians.
HEALTH CARE: I have steadfastly opposed Obamacare and instead have supported federal block grants to allow the State of Texas to determine the best method
of healthcare delivery for the poor and working poor. I have been endorsed by the Texas Medical Association and the 48,000 doctors and medical students they
represent because I believe there is a Texas Solution to our healthcare needs. I have worked to expand our medical schools and provide funding to train more doctors for Texas, and I have protected Texas taxpayers and small businesses from health care mandates. I believe that the best thing we can do for the working poor
is to provide a strong economy and job opportunities for all Texans so they can afford health coverage and the medical care their family needs.
TRANSPORTATION: As Texas continues to grow our transportation needs will need to keep pace. The Legislature has made positive steps in recent sessions
to improve funding of roadways and voters have supported efforts to increase funding without additional toll roads. I will continue to support dedicating revenues
related to automobile sales, fuel and usage to fund highways and maintain my opposition to adding toll lanes and privatization of our free roadways.
pg. 44
State Representative, District 115 - Continues
Bennett Ratliff (R) - Continues
OTHER ISSUES: I believe that District 115 wants their voice back in the next session and to have a representative with a proven record of conservative results
for our district AND the State of Texas. I’m proud to have passed 13 of my 18 priorities into law my first session while my opponent failed to pass a single bill. My
opponent has failed to protect our children, provide for our veterans and violated his budget pledge, and I have worked to improve our education system, honor our
veterans and be a watchdog for our taxpayers. I believe that our district wants and deserves a representative who has created jobs and grown the local economy;
a voice who understands our values because he works, lives, plays and prays here; and a elected official who is in Austin to serve our district, not his own self
interests. I have proven to be that conservative voice, and my opponent has proven to be concerned with only his own self interests and those of the special interests that support him.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (469) 394-7511; Web Site: http://www.bennettratliff.com; Email: bennett@bennettratliff.com
JUSTICES,
COURT OF APPEALS
this position?
Lana Myers (R)
EDUCATION: B.F.A., Baylor University, magna cum laude, 1976; Juris Doctor, Baylor University School
of Law, 1981.
Justice, 5th Court of Appeals EXPERIENCE: Justice, 5th District Court of Appeals, Place 4, 2009 to present. Authored hundreds of
legal opinions on civil and criminal appellate issues. Judge, 203rd Judicial District Court of Dallas County,
District, Place 4
1995 - 2009. Presided over hundreds of jury trials. Defender of the Constitution and the Rule of Law.
IMPARTIALITY: A fair and impartial judiciary is indispensable to justice in our society. I maintain impartiality by applying the law as written, fairly
and consistently, with integrity.
ACCOMPLISHMENT: In 2008, I initiated and presided over S.T.A.R. Court, a specialty court designed to rehabilitate women with extensive prostitution history in the criminal justice system. This experience taught me to be a true public servant.
OTHER: The Court exists to serve the public. Court technology and adequate funding for the Court are continuing challenges. As a member of the Court, I will
continue to work with the legislature to address these issues and, as I have always done, I will work hard to dispose of cases in a timely manner.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Address: P.O. Box 165072 Irving, TX 75016; Web Site: http://www.justicelanamyers.com; Email: justicelanamyers@gmail.com; Age:
8/14/1954
David James Hanschen (R)
EDUCATION: NTSU 1975 BA cum laude SMU Law School 1992 JD
EXPERIENCE: As a successful venture capitalist in the 1980’s, and an attorney and a District
Justice, 5th Court of Appeals Court judge; I am able to evaluate cases from a broad perspective. Being a former trial judge, I
better understand how the courts actually conduct their cases. These insights will assist me in
District, Place 7
making better rulings.
IMPARTIALITY: As a former trial judge, I am well practiced in separating the need for a judge to evaluate matters before the Court independently
from the the attorneys presenting the case. While I appreciate the support the legal community has shown, contributions never have and never
will influence the court’s ruling in a case.
ACCOMPLISHMENT: While a District Judge, I challenged the constitutionality of a law that limited the availability of DNA evidence. I later testified to the Texas
state legislature to correct this problem. The legislature changed the law to better conform with the current state of scientific testing. This change has allowed for
collection of proper child support in 1000’s of cases.
OTHER: 1. Opinions need to be more timely issued. The current delay for many cases is far too long. 2.This court has vastly increased the times it would Rule and
Render, instead if Ruling and Remanding the case back to the trial court. The trial court is uniquely equipped to find the truth, whereas the Court of Appeals only has a
written transcript as its record of the trial proceedings. By becoming Judge and Jury, this Court of Appeals has all too often usurped the role of the of the citizens.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Address: PO Box 195001 Dallas, TX 75219; Email: davidhanschen@yahoo.com; Age: 12/21/1949
pg. 45
Justice, 5th Court of Appeals District, Place 7 - Continued
David John Schenck (R)
EDUCATION: J.D., with honors, Baylor Law School (1992) B.A., Criminal Justice, Rockefeller College of
the State Univ. of N.Y.--Albany
Justice, 5th Court of Appeals EXPERIENCE: Since my appointment last January, I have been serving as a Justice on one of the most
proficient the courts in the state. I had more than 20 years of appellate practice, including leading the IsDistrict, Place 7
sues & Appeals practice in the Dallas office of Jones Day. I am board certified in civil appellate.
IMPARTIALITY: I find maintaining impartiality to be fairly simple. I simply do it. Contributions to a judge cannot be allowed to influence the result
in any case. That’s an issue of personal integrity and character that should be present in anyone seeking the office for the right reason. I suspect
anyone who knows me would not expect anything different.
ACCOMPLISHMENT: I received the Texas Bar’s President’s Award for my work leading the briefing in the defense of the Texas IOLTA program before the U.S.
Supreme Court. IOLTA is designed to provide funding for pro bono and low cost legal services to those could not otherwise access the system. I believe strongly in
the rule of law and that it applies equally and to everyone. For that to be true all need fair access to the system. I adhere to that view as a justice.
OTHER: We have a very heavy caseload and have been working with a short staff throughout my time on the court due to unusual circumstances that will obtain
for the foreseeable future. Each of us will continue to take on additional work and pull on the oars a little harder. Separately, our mandamus and parental termination dockets are active and require nearly immediate attention given the nature of the cases. I will continue to work with my fellow justices in giving priority to these
important cases.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Address: 600 Commerce St Dallas, TX 75202; Campaign Phone: (214) 712-3450; Web Site: http://facebook.com/justicedavidschenck; Email: david.schenck@sbcglobal.net
CIVIL DISTRICT
COURT JUDGE
Judicial District Court Judges are elected to four year terms. They must be at least
COURT EFFICIENCY: Do you think the court can be run more effectively,
efficiently and equitably to provide swift justice and, if so, what improvements
would you propose?
access to justice for low income residents in civil cases?
the District Courts and how would you address them?
Barry Johnson (R)
COURT EFFICIENCY: Moving the court’s docket as quickly and expeditiously as justice permits is one of the
most important duties of a judicial officer. There are numerous ways to keep the docket moving so that the
parties get their day in court as quickly as possible. Delay is not good for any of the parties as the stress and
of the litigation increases the longer the case stays on the docket. Not moving the trial date from the
Judicial District Court expense
setting in the scheduling order if at all possible is a very important mechanism for keeping the docket moving.
Making rulings as quickly as possible on discovery matters and pretrial motions is another effective tool to move the trials along faster so that the
jury’s time is not wasted on matters that can be decided prior to the start of the trial. Even though moving the docket is an important task for the
presiding judge, the court does not want to unfairly limit jury selection or presentation of evidence to the point that the parties cannot fully try their
cases.
ACCESS TO JUSTICE: This has always been a difficult issue for the civil justice system. The best and only way for low income residents to access the courts is
for the contingent fee system to remain intact and a viable way for lawyers to represent clients in civil court by accepting a % of the recovery as a fee. It seems like
every time the legislature meets there is some group trying to cap contingency fees or tinker with the system so that the % of fee allowed declines at certain monetary levels of recovery. This type of legislation is designed to keep low income citizens from having access to the courts. Free legal clinics and pro bono cases
that are graciously handled by most lawyers are other ways to provide access; however, these methods only assist a small segment of citizens that need help
exercising their right to have valid disputes solved in the civil courts, as opposed to other more chaotic and potentially dangerous solutions that occur when people
choose to solve disputes on their own.
IMPARTIALITY: The most important sworn obligation of a trial judge is to be absolutely impartial and non-partisan in the execution of his or her duties. Whether
attorneys or others donate to a judicial candidate to allow them to run a campaign for the job can have absolutely nothing to do with the decisions a judge makes
when a donor comes before the court. Do lawyers who come before the court after having donated to a judge’s campaign have the appearance of impropriety?
Absolutely. It looks horrible; however, under our current system of electing judges, it would be impossible to run a viable campaign if the legal community did not
make donations in order for the candidate to get his or her message before the voters. This is an age old problem that has existed in judicial elections, and I do not
know a way to erase the appearance of impropriety, other than to trust that the judicial officer has the integrity to rule fairly and impartially even if it means losing a
supporter or a re-election bid.
OTHER ISSUES: The amount of business litigation cases has increased in the civil courts over the past several years. These cases are very document intensive
in the discovery and admissibility of voluminous documents, which are often many millions of complex documents. This often requires a great deal of analysis of
those documents by the judge to determine which documents should be provided to the party seeking the documents. Nowadays, most of these documents are
on computer drives and come from vendors hired by the parties to collect and organize voluminous documents. I would address this by requiring the lawyers to
provide the materials to the court, if needed for an in camera (judge only) inspection, in a concise and organized manner so that the documents can be reviewed
as quickly and thoroughly as possible, thus allowing the judge to make timely rulings so the case does not get unnecessarily bogged down and delayed.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 215-1992; Email: bj.dfwlawteam@gmail.com
pg. 46
District Judge, 162nd Judicial District Court
COURT EFFICIENCY: I am not running for office because I believe the Civil District Courts are
run inefficiently or inequitably. I am running so I can put my 20+ years of experience as a lawDistrict Judge, 162nd
yer in Dallas to work serving the people that have business before the court. Much of the delay
in getting cases to trial is a function of deadlines established by statute or rule and the number
Judicial District Court
of courts available to hear the thousands of filed cases and determine contested issues in each
of them. If elected, I intend to run my court in a manner that permits the parties and attorneys to schedule pretrial & discovery matters quickly and
make myself available to resolve conflicts telephonically where feasible. Attorneys will be encouraged to examine carefully the time needed for
their hearings in an attempt to manage the working time of the court effectively so other cases and issues can be scheduled. I intend to be prompt
and available and expect the same from parties and attorneys appearing before me.
ACCESS TO JUSTICE: Currently low income residents with small claims have good access through the Justice Courts. With larger claims, they have access to
District Court through attorneys who take deserving cases on a contingent fee basis. The tougher situation is where the claim is not large enough to justify a contingent fee and does not involve a matter where the individual is permitted to recover attorney’s fees. In these situations, I can encourage my staff to direct litigants
desiring representation to volunteer organizations (eg. Referral Directory for Legal Services . . .) and will encourage attorneys to be active in serving low income
populations in these difficult situations. One factor that inhibits some lawyers from undertaking these types of clients is the fear of a legal malpractice claim by the
client who received the free services. Perhaps this is an area the legislature can address with statutory safeguards for attorneys who provide these free or reduced
cost services.
IMPARTIALITY: I will maintain impartiality by recusing myself from cases involving parties where I have a pre-existing bias or a financial interest that would affect
my impartiality or where my impartiality could be reasonably questioned. As a judge I would continue to educate myself on issues involving impartiality, like implicit
bias, so I can better understand how I might be able to counter these hindrances to achieving true impartiality in the courtroom. I will run my affairs consistent with
the Texas Judicial Campaign Fairness Act, the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct, and the Creeds for Integrity and Professionalism in Judicial Elections which promote the highest standards of integrity and professionalism in the conduct of judicial elections.
OTHER ISSUES: I believe the most pressing issue facing the District Courts is the workload caused from a high number of cases many times involving pro se
litigants. I intend to address this issue by running a hard-working court and attempting to maximize time to hear contested issues so I can assist the parties in getting their disputes resolved or tried. As stated earlier, I will also instruct my staff to direct pro se litigants needing or desiring representation to the Referral Directory
for Legal Services and Other Resources for Low-Income Texans and encourage attorneys to accept pro bono work on deserving cases or assist through various
volunteer programs like the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 905-3739: Web Site: http://www.gormanlaw.com/greggorman/: Email: greg@gormanlaw.com
Gregory Preston Gorman (R)
Susan Rankin (R) - no response
CRIMINAL DISTRICT
COURT JUDGE
Criminal District Court Judges are elected to four year terms. They must be at least
access to justice for low income residents in criminal cases?
COURT EFFICIENCY: Do you think the court can be run the court more effectively, efficiently and equitably to provide swift justice and, if so, what improvements would you propose?
the criminal courts and how would you address them?
Tom Spackman (R)
ACCESS TO JUSTICE: Our justice system must be ever vigilant of protecting the rights of our
most vulnerable participants including the poor, the young and the mentally ill. Insisting that all
Dallas County Criminal
participants have competent counsel is the best method of insuring justice. If elected, I will make
sure that everyone who appears in my court has a good lawyer and is afforded due process.
District Judge, Court No. 2
COURT EFFICIENCY: In addition to being a lawyer in Dallas for the past 20 years, I was the
founder and CEO of a technology company. I have used technology to make organizations more effective and efficient and believe this same approach can be used to improve the criminal court system.
IMPARTIALITY: I am not accepting campaign contributions and believe this stance will allow me to maintain impartiality and avoid conflicts of interest.
OTHER ISSUES: Texas has the largest prison population of any state and Texas’ non-violent prison population represents the second largest incarcerated population in the country. I believe this is a pressing issue not only for the criminal courts system but our society in general. I am opposed to any type of judicial activism
and believe the role of a judge is to strictly apply the law as written by the Texas Legislature. However, as a member of the judiciary, I would welcome the opportunity to work with the legislative and executive branches of government to reduce our prison populations.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 515-1450; Email: tspackman@mexcap.com
pg. 47
SHERIFF
resident of the county. Responsible for law enforcement in the county and operation
of the county jail.
COUNTY JAIL OPERATIONS: Do you believe further improvements can be
made to jail operations and, if so, what are your top 3 priorities? Would additional funding be required to achieve these goals?
IMMIGRANTS: What do you believe is the Sheriff’s responsibility with respect to undocumented immigrants that encounter the justice system?
JUVENILES: Do you believe changes are needed in the handling of juveniles
in the county jail and, if so, what changes would you recommend?
OTHER ISSUES: What other issues do you believe will be the most pressing
for the county Sheriff and how would you address them?
Aaron Meek (R)
COUNTY JAIL OPERATIONS: Yes, I do believe improvements can be made to jail operations. My top three priorities
would be: 1) Offer on-going training for jail personnel in order to keep them prepared for daily events that affect the jail
Sheriff
environment; 2) The Administration needs to be constantly aware of current events on local, state, and national levels
in order to be able to adjust operations as needed for the best outcome and perception of our local jail system; 3) I would push for an adequate relief
factor that will allow personnel appropriate time off without the need for overtime. This will result in lowering expenses. Some funding may be needed
to support continued education for jail personnel, but I will look at the current budget and see what is allowed before pursuing additional costs.
IMMIGRANTS: I believe the Sheriff has a responsibility to treat all inmates equally. The Sheriff and Deputies are sworn in under oath to “defend and
protect the constitution and laws of our country.” The constitution provides that all individuals have the same right to due process of the law.
JUVENILES: I do believe it is good to review processes and strive to improve them. Though the vast majority of juvenile offenders are processed through the Juvenile
System, some are adjudicated as adults and end up in the jail. We are primarily mandated by the Commission on Jail Standards as to the handling of juveniles in our
system, I would look to streamline the process we currently use and improve on it. I would also look to improve all aspect and functions of the Sheriff’s Department.
OTHER ISSUES: I believe that a thorough evaluation of every section of the entire department is needed in order to eliminate duplication and inefficiency, in order
to provide Dallas county citizens a professional and cost effective department they can depend on. I would also look for more opportunities to work with community
leaders to foster better relationships within our county as a whole.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 770-1376; Web Site: http://aaronmeek4sheriff.org; Email: vote4meek@yahoo.com
Kirk Launius (R)
COUNTY JAIL OPERATIONS: Yes, with no additional funding. 1) I will speed up prisoner processing at intake,
properly classify inmates by risk level, and increase the safety of our Detention Service Officers (jailers), deputies,
Sheriff
and inmates in all areas of our jail, from the booking area to the open “pod” housing units. My command staff and
I will accomplish this by making wiser spending decisions which will emphasize better training over less important items our tax dollars are now
being wasted on. 2) I will improve morale by removing barriers to communication, getting to know and showing respect for all my staff, and implementing my very open and participatory leadership and management styles. 3) My command staff and I will immediately review and prioritize any
matters relating to jail operations, take action to safeguard lives, and protect the taxpayers’ investment. We will ensure that the detention facilities
meet and exceed state jail standards so that the jails pass inspections every time.
IMMIGRANTS: As Dallas County Sheriff, I will uphold my Oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, and I will enforce all laws which are
made in pursuance thereof. I will comply with detainment requests (“detainers”) from federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
JUVENILES: No. The safety and well-being of all juveniles referred to the Dallas County Juvenile Department is paramount. As Dallas County Sheriff, I will strictly
enforce a zero tolerance policy towards any form of conduct that meets the definition of sexual abuse or sexual harassment. My deputies and I will work with the
juvenile department to extend and continually improve all efforts to prevent, detect, and respond to such conduct. Seventeen-year-olds are segregated from the
rest of the jail population under a federal law called the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) which is intended to prevent sexual abuse and rape in adult and juvenile facilities, as well as community correction programs. Any report of sexual abuse or sexual harassment alleged to have occurred within a Dallas County facility will be investigated to the fullest extent by the facility administrator or designee, and will be reported to the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office for possible criminal
investigation and prosecution.
OTHER ISSUES: I will “do more with less” by working cooperatively with the Dallas County Commissioners Court to properly fund the Dallas County Sheriff’s
Office while avoiding wasteful spending and tax increases. The desire to reduce overtime and meet state staffing requirements will not take precedence over the
delivery of expert, humane, and compassionate treatment of inmates in the jail. As an entrepreneur with years of management experience, a former Dallas Police
Officer and United States Navy Veteran, I will recruit, select, and promote the best men and women for the DCSO. I will deliver high quality leadership from my office and command staff down through the ranks. People will follow competent leaders, and I will lead the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office in a confident manner which
commands respect. Deputies and jailers who are properly paid, valued, and promoted by management are not likely to flee the DCSO and are the best advertisement for new, high-quality recruits.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 810-4523; Web Site: http://www.KirkForDallas.com; Email: kirkfordallas@gmail.com
i
get them.
pg. 48
Sheriff - Continued
Susan Welch Rodriguez (R)
COUNTY JAIL OPERATIONS: My top priority in jail operations would be to address the low morale
of the jailers. I would do this by evaluating policy, procedures, and training to identify the needs of
Sheriff
the officers and then proceed with solutions. My open door policy and working alongside of my employees will help enable me to reach solutions and a remedy for low morale issues. I have found that showing a genuine interest in people and treating them with respect while displaying a true desire to repair issues, is the key for building motivation. I found while supervising 13-15 inmate trustees
at our Dallas County Firing Range, that I could get most anything done just by treating them like I would want to be treated, it’s the Golden Rule. God
has gifted me with a gift of bringing people together. I would also work on improving communication, while making sure that my chiefs resonated the
same. Bonding and moving ahead as one unit is the key. I will repair the slow book-in process of prisoners who see the nurse
IMMIGRANTS: As Sheriff I’ll follow the law and make sure the law is carried out. I’m an oath keeper and I have been sworn to uphold the Constitution since 1979
when I became a Dallas Deputy Sheriff. With that being said it is imperative we honor all ICE detainers as well as all other holds from other agencies, and let due
process of law take it’s course. As the high Sheriff, I will follow through with complying with these detainer requests by holding such detainees and subjects until
they are picked up by the requesting agency, again allowing due process of law take place. Again I will follow the law as sworn. I Susan Rodriguez, do solemnly
swear that I will faithfully execute the duties of the office of Dallas County Sheriff of the State Of Texas, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States and of this state, so help me God.
JUVENILES: Juveniles are booked into the Henry Wade Juvenile Justice center located on Lone Star Dr. They are not under the care and custody of the Dallas
County Sheriff, but under the Juvenile Justice Dept. I would like to see the young ones who are incarcerated get some biblical counseling in areas of anger, depression, and conflict resolution to lower recidivism rate.
OTHER ISSUES: Dallas needs a strong Godly leader for Sheriff, who will stand up and defend the rights and liberties of the citizens. Now it is time for me to put
37 years of expertise to work for you and serve as your Dallas County Sheriff. What I have to offer is experience, expertise, professionalism, loyalty, integrity, drive,
and passion to serve and protect the citizens of Dallas County. There are many violent offenders who are at-large on outstanding warrants who need to be incarcerated to make Dallas safe. I would begin by re-establishing a patrol division to service the unincorporated areas of the county. I will also make sure our warrant
division is working in full capacity by serving violent felony warrants reducing the back log of warrants, while bringing fugitives to justice resulting in safer streets.
Also I would re-establish a civil division. I hold a Master Peace Officer’s License as well as a Jailer’s License since 1979 and will get the job done.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 301-8788; Web Site: http://www.susanfordallassheriff.com; Email: susanfordallas2016@yahoo.com
COUNTY
resident of the district represented. Responsible for representing the citizens of the
district in which he/she is elected in the Commissioners Court which conducts the
general business of the county and oversees financial matters.
COMMISSIONER
JUSTICE SYSTEM: What changes, if any, should the county make to improve the criminal
justice system?
HEALTH CARE: Dallas County just opened the new Parkland Hospital. What are the next
steps in providing quality health care for residents?
ELECTIONS: What would you do, if anything, to encourage greater voter turnout in Dallas
County?
OTHER ISSUES: What other issues do you believe will be the most pressing in the county
and what is your position on these issues?
Steven Rayshell (R) - no response
S.T. Russell (R)
JUSTICE SYSTEM: The criminal justice system is fair and aligned with the legal mindset of our
founding fathers. As a county I think we, as taxpayers, citizens, and neighbors of those release,
Dallas County Commissioner, need to offer these ex-criminals a choice of not repeating processing through our criminal justice
system. ‘From the cradle to the criminal justice system’ is not a county that I would want to lead. We
Precinct No. 3
can and should find trades for these released prisoners from our county criminal justice system. We
should be leading other counties as to the best method of improving our criminal justice system by helping these citizens after they come through
our county system. I can be reached/supported at my website strussell.com, my email: russell4you@yahoo.com, or Bank of America Acct.#:
488033012098.
HEALTH CARE: Even with the opening of this new Hospital, our needy residents still have hard times receiving services. Our next steps should include a clear
goal, plan, and idea of which residents should receive services first. Quality care is currently not felt equally by all residents of the county. We (as residents) need
a written agenda, mapped out intent, and documented purpose for each county resident that visits our new Parkland Hospital for needed health care services. We
can, and should, continually to take steps at becoming the role models for all other county hospitals within the entire State of Texas. Dallas county residents do
not need us to stop creating new steps to better our own health care, they want Dallas County to lead other counties in providing quality service for their residents
throughout the State. I can be reached/supported at my website strussell.com, my email: russell4you@yahoo.com, or Bank of America Acct.#: 488033012098.
ELECTIONS: I think that the best voters are those that educate themselves about the candidates. I think that uninformed voters hate the causes of the best and
most sincere candidates. If higher voter turnout will ensure that more informed voters would be the actual voters, I would support any change to our current system. If higher voter turnout would only involve more uneducated voters that only vote straight-line, I would support the removal of straight-line voting all together.
I believe that if educated and informed voters were allowed to vote candidate versus candidate (instead of lazy straight-line voting) more voters would turn out to
vote for the best candidate.
pg. 49
S.T. Russell (R) - Continued
OTHER ISSUES: There are other topics that concern me and my campaign; however, due to other questionnaires requests, I limit myself only to the questions
asked. Thank you for taking time to read my responses and I can only hope that I stand for something that you feel strong enough about for you to go and cast
your ballot/vote for me and our cause. S T Russell, The Republican Candidate for Dallas County Commissioner, Precinct 3. I can be reached/supported at my website strussell.com, my email: russell4you@yahoo.com, or Bank of America Acct.#: 488033012098.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 374-3465; Web Site: http://strussell.com; Email: russell4you@yahoo.com
Kinney Lee Fields (R)
JUSTICE SYSTEM: We need to significantly make harsher the penalties associates with those
that seek to prey upon the elderly, women, and working class citizens. Those who choose to rob,
Dallas County Commissioner, and assault those citizens who are just trying to make a living every day the honest way should be
made examples when it come to punishment.
Precinct No. 3
HEALTH CARE: The next steps are ensuring that our residents continue to reap the benefits of
opening new hospitals by closely monitoring the progress of parkland and its initiatives. Specifically emergency room wait times. The next steps
would be to take a long hard look at what improvements we can make in regards to mental health and how it has affected the county.
ELECTIONS: Do exactly what I have been doing since placing my name on the ballot. Offer potential voters both young and new, Democratic and
Republican a clear and concise voice aimed at changing the old guard of politics by bringing common sense and a hardworking attitude to elected leadership.
OTHER ISSUES: The main issues the county is facing is the Dallas County Commissioners Court itself. For a court that has had its share of problems both
internally and legally, the court is out of touch with the citizens it serves. One example is voting to go to bi weekly meetings instead of weekly. This change is bad
for transparency and is a slap in the face to those of us who seek to hold our County Commissioners Court Accountable. Telling citizens the reason for switching
to less meetings is because its a burden to county staffers is unacceptable. Another major issue is loitering and begging. And I’m not talking about the homeless.
Across Dallas County the number of people who hang out at our neighborhood stores, convenience stores, and gas stations on a daily basis asking for change
is increasingly becoming frustrating to citizens. Many of these citizens are elderly and women, and for the sake of safety would rather not patronize certain businesses because of this. We need to address this.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 772-7193; Web Site: http://www.gofundme.com/agreaterdallas; Email: Kinneyleefields@gmail.com
DALLAS COUNTY
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE
4 year term. Must be 18 years or older, a US citizen, a resident of Texas and
a resident of the district represented. Responsible for civil cases and criminal
misdemeanor cases punishable by fine only.
ACCESSIBILITY: The JP Courts are often referred to as “the People’s Courts.” Do you
believe the JP courts could be made more accessible to the people and, if so, how?
EVICTIONS: Is there a need to make JP court more equitable in the eviction process and, if
so, how could this be accomplished?
OTHER ISSUES: What other issues do you believe will be most pressing for JP courts and
how would you address them?
Dallas County JP Pct 2, Place 1
Brian Hutcheson (R)
ACCESSIBILITY: In 2011, the Texas Supreme Court made recommendations to reform the JP Courts, which
were led by Justice of the Peace Russ Casey, that “The hearing is informal, with the sole objective being to
Dallas County JP
dispense speedy justice between the parties” and that rules may not be “so complex that a reasonable person
without legal training would have difficulty understanding or applying the rules.” Judge Casey, who is not an
Pct 2, Place 1
attorney, led the task force that made these substantial reforms. “The process seems like it’s out to get you,
and we have tried very hard to eliminate the trapdoors and lawyer tricks that have made the courts develop a reputation over the years of being
very scary and unfair.” (Dallas Morning News August 24, 2013) It is also important to note that every Justice of the Peace elected must attend
Texas Justice Court Training Center courses, regardless of whether or not they are attorney, as mandated by Texas law. In fact, the statutes in
Justice Courts are not covered in law school.
PROCESS SERVING: Constables are the ones who actually process the papers for the court so the only changes that would be necessary, if at all, were to make
sure there is good communication between the court staff and the constable staff.
EVICTIONS: First of all, the State of Texas has made it clear that they do not want a lawyer as the Justice of the Peace but instead someone who is fair minded
and will have a common sense approach. The Supreme Court had the opportunity, if it wished, to remove Eviction Cases from the Justice of the Peace when it
made its recommendations to the state legislature but instead kept it as part of the newly named Justice Court. That being said, it is important for the Justice of the
Peace to be fair-minded and allow all testimony to be made so that all parties do not fear the court. Temperament is vital to the position. Then, after reviewing the
law, making a judgement based strictly on the statutes passed by the legislative branch. Judges, under no circumstance, should legislate from the bench.
OTHER ISSUES: It is important for the Justice Court to reflect the will of the Texas Supreme Court by having the Justice of the Peace been a common sense citizen of the community rather than a career lawyer who would be a better fit for a higher judicial position.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 683-4032; Web Site: http://www.brianhutcheson.com; Email: campaign@brianhutcheson.com
pg. 50
Dallas County JP Pct 2, Place 1 - Continued
John Sholden (R)
ACCESSIBILITY: The Justice of the Peace Courts (“JP Courts”) are “The People’s Court” because 90% of the
public who are involved with legal actions will only have contact with a JP or Municipal Court. Most of these
Dallas County JP
people will not be represented by attorneys so it is important that they understand the process. Better informaPct 2, Place 1
tion to the public will make the courts more accessible. I have found that the publications prepared by the Texas
Young Lawyers Association are a great way to educate the public. As the JP for Pct. 2-1, I have made the publications available at the court so
that most questions about the law and procedures can be addressed without clerks being asked questions. The Rules of Civil Procedure state the
Judge shall develop the case. This allows better access for the public if the Judge understands the laws well enough to develop the case. The JP
court relies on more law books than any judge in Texas. Having a Judge who is legally trained and experienced increases access to the public.
PROCESS SERVING: Judges should not legislate from the bench, and the process of serving legal papers is determined by the Legislature. A Judge can make
sure the rules are followed. I review the service returns to make sure the law was followed. On cases where a Constable or Process Server is requesting alternative service, I make sure the person attempting service has made good faith attempts to obtain personal service. If it requires two attempts, I require that there be
at least four hours between the attempts. I require the person trying to obtain substitute service to write down why they think the address is good and make sure
they have made many attempts at different times of the day before I will sign the substitute service. If a party states they were not served, I hold a hearing to determine why the return of service states that service occurred.
EVICTIONS: The court should not legislate from the bench to make a hearing more equitable. The Legislature sets out the requirements for an eviction case and if
those requirements are proved, the plaintiff will prevail. If the facts are not proved the Judge shall find for the tenant. I believe that educating the litigants about the
process is a way to make the procedure equitable. I provide a handbook entitled Tenant’s Rights Handbook. This handbook is published as a public service by the
Texas Young Lawyer’s Association. This publication aids a tenant in understanding the law, what elements must be proved by the landlord, and any defenses the
law allows. The information provided by the court since I have become the Judge helps to make evictions more equitable
OTHER ISSUES: no response
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (214) 435-2097; Web Site: http://keepjudgesholden.com; Email: judgesholden@tx.rr.com
DALLAS COUNTY
POLITICAL PARTY CHAIRMAN
VISION: If elected, what would you most like to accomplish during the next 2
years?
PRECINCT CHAIRS: Precinct chair positions are often unfilled. How will you
recruit and retain precinct chairs?
HISPANIC TURNOUT: Despite their growing numbers, Hispanic voter turnout
has remained low. What strategies would you use to attract Hispanic voters to
your party and encourage them to vote on election day?
OTHER ISSUES: What other issues do you believe will be most pressing for this
office and how will you address them?
Mark Montgomery (R)
VISION: My vision for the Dallas County Republican Party for the next two years is that I will lead our
highly motivated grassroots volunteers to help them communicate conservative values more effecDallas County Political Party tively. Voters and the public at large must be convinced that Republican leadership in Dallas County
provides the best opportunity for them to achieve and maintain the benefits of experiencing the
Chairman
American dream for themselves and their families.
PRECINCT CHAIRS: For a successful county political leader to implement a vision calls for a network of persons who embrace that vision. In
our party, Precinct Chairs provide the local voter knowledge for ground game success in electing Republican candidates to national, state and
local offices. In order to be more successful in attracting and supporting Precinct Chairs, we must more effectively recruit and support persons
who have already self-identified themselves as active, engaged Republicans. Republican Women’s Clubs, Young Republicans and other Republican, conservative and Tea Party groups provide underutilized resources for recruiting Precinct Chairs. Once recruited, we must do a better job of providing ongoing training and
especially pairing new Precinct Chairs with experienced Precinct Chairs for mentoring. Our training and mentoring has been deficient in that it has taken a passive
approach rather than an active engagement from and through the County Party organization.
HISPANIC TURNOUT: A vibrant and effective Get Out The Vote (GOTV) effort with all constituencies is critically important to following up candidate recruiting with
support. While “they share our (fill in the blank) values” has been a traditional assumption for Republicans, we must get better with embracing ethnic and racial
diversity if we are to be more successful in the future. Hispanic Chambers, Hispanic culture, Hispanic events and Hispanic candidates must be a bigger part of the
county program mix. We must have an ongoing dialogue with Hispanic community leaders to identify those areas where our interests are shared and try to resolve
areas where we differ.
OTHER ISSUES: Fundraising While North Texas, and Texas in general, has been a cash cow for candidates from all over the country to tap, we must be more
assertive in local party fundraising that will support Republican countywide candidate victories in Dallas County. Headquarters Staff and Offices Dallas County
Republican Party headquarters staff and facilities resources must better match our overall long and short term party objectives. Multiple Victory Centers throughout the large and diverse county area must facilitate candidate, volunteer and voter access and convenience. Financial Management The Chair and the Executive
Committee must have access to timely financial data in order to assess the most effective utilization of limited or timing challenged resources. Volunteer Recognition Like in most organizations, volunteers are a fragile resource in party politics. We need to do a better job of sincerely recognizing our hardest workers, our
persons with high potential, and unsung heroes.
CONTACT THE CANDIDATES: Campaign Phone: (214) 662-1531; Email: mm1531d@gmail.com
pg. 51
Dallas County Political Party Chairman - Continued
Wade Emmert (R)
VISION: I would like to continue to grow the Republican Party. I believe that a political party should
be open and fair to all members of the party. The voters must have confidence that the party process
Dallas County Political Party will be respected and accessible to those who want to participate. I also believe in expanding the
party into all communities. The Republican Party should engage all communities including, Hispanic,
Chairman
African American and Asian. That work must start by Republicans showing up to those communities
at times other than elections season. There is an old saying in politics; “People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you
care.” I believe we must engage all communities year around with genuine connections.
PRECINCT CHAIRS: We have an active Precinct Chair Recruitment Program. In areas where we do not have a Precinct Chair, we will look at
voter rolls to identify strong Republican voters. I make calls to potential Precinct Chairs and ask them to serve. As part of a longer-term strategy, I believe we
should organize the county into districts with field support staff to assist Precinct Chairs in working their precincts and helping recruit Precinct Chairs in those precincts without.
HISPANIC TURNOUT: Republican Party needs to engage Hispanic voters in a meaningful way. This can accomplished through recruitment of Hispanic candidates
and being involved in the community in meaningful year-around activities. The party should produce Spanish-language political materials. We should also engage
in Spanish-language television. Too often, the Republican message is not stated because we do not make an effort to reach out to the media. We should do a better job.
OTHER ISSUES: I think the Republican Party has the responsibility to represent the interests of conservatives in a positive and meaningful way. When I am on
television or the radio or in the newspaper, I try to conduct myself in a way that brings credibility to the party and establishes confidence with the voters. As County
Chairman for the past 5 years, I think I’ve developed the relationships with community leaders and the media to bring that credibility to the party. I’m honored to
serve as the Chairman of the Dallas County Republican Party and ask for your vote to continue the effort to turn Dallas County RED!
CONTACT THE CANDIDATE: Campaign Phone: (469) 878-7368; Web Site: http://wadeemmert.com; Email: wade@wadeemmert.com
DALLAS COUNTY PRECINCT
CHAIR CONTEST - REPUBLICAN
1013
Brian Bodine
Richard Morgan
1060
Joe Lovitt
Rodney R Elkins
1300
Robert R Seward
George R Burridge
2031
Jonathan McKinnon
Randy Wright
2041
Robert Schlein
David Keeton
2514
Gala Partlow
Jenny Bell
2808
Sue Whitacre Miller
David Jenkins
i
David (Dave) Darelius
pg. 52
BALLOT PROPOSITIONS
ANSWER YES/NO
REPUBLICAN PARTY
Proposition No. 1
Texas should replace the property tax system with an alternative other than an income tax and require voter approval to increase the overall tax burden.
Proposition No. 2
Texas cities and counties should be required to comply with federal immigration laws or be penalized by loss of state funds.
Proposition No. 3
Texas should prohibit governmental entities from collecting dues for labor unions through deductions from public employee paychecks
Proposition No. 4
Texas and its citizens should strongly assert 10th Amendment Rights guaranteed by the U. S. Constitution which states “The powers not delegated to the
United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

dallas county edition - League of Women Voters of Dallas

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KTSU 90.9 FM 13th Annual Tennis Classic