Texas Primary Runoff Recommendations – Election Day May 22nd, 2018
Get Out And VOTE on Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Recommendations by
A Progressive Candidates Campaign
GOVERNOR
Lupe Valdez - “Like so many Texans, I have lived the kind of life where your day starts before the sun rises. From migrant farmworker to U.S. Army Captain, federal agent to the very proud Sheriff of the good people of Dallas County, I’ve dedicated my life to defending Texans and I’m not done yet.”
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 3
Lorie Burch - Lorie is a long-time resident of Collin County who attended Shepton High School and Plano Senior High. Lorie is proud to say that she is a “local kid who scooped ice cream at Henry’s Homemade Ice Cream, learned to drive at Sears at Collin Creek Mall, and taught Sunday School with her parents at Custer Road United Methodist Church.”
Lorie has dedicated her education and professional life to leadership and advocacy. Through her practice, she has assisted the LGBT community, the elderly, children with special needs, veterans, and everyone in between! Beyond her practice, Lorie has always sought to be a leader and advocate.
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 6
Ruby Faye Woolridge – Ruby is the ONLY candidate in this runoff that is qualified to send to Washington D.C. She is seeking a seat in the U.S. Congress from Texas District 6, because she believes it is time for the voices of our silent citizens to be heard. It is time to provide a quality education for all children, it is time for us to close the economic gap between hard working families and the wealthiest Americans. It is time for us to value our military veterans, senior citizens and immigrants. It is time to restore faith in the leadership our district, it is time to restore faith in the democratic process. It is time for us as a nation to be the example of leadership in the world instead of allowing fear mongering to set the congressional agenda. Let’s stand up for our belief in the greatness that is America.
From A Progressive Candidate's Campaign:
Ruby's opponent has holdings in Royal Dutch Shell and ING, but you wouldnt know that because she has it hidden. She voted in the 2016 Republican primary. She has a dual citizenship – Her other one is Dutch. She has only been in the U.S. since 2014. Her campaign has been one of dishonesty and shady business dealings, and many of her volunteers and employees have left her campaign for threats of holding their paychecks for not doing illegal activity. Her attorney sends Ruby and others a letter for the most petty nonsense. Do Not vote for Ruby's runoff opponent, because she will not win in November.
~All The Way With RUBY FAYE~
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 7
Laura Moser - Laura Moser is running for Congress in the TX-7th as one of the new generation of Democratic leaders inspired to take action after the disastrous election of Donald Trump. She is proud to be among the vanguard of citizen activists who have built the infrastructure of the Resistance while the traditional party heads struggled to respond to the crisis. Laura intends to take this seamless integration of political passion, common sense, and organizational know-how into the TX-7th, which includes the Houston neighborhood where she grew up.
As a writer and the founder of Daily Action (www.dailyaction.org), a text-messaging service that allows people to engage in the political process, Laura has organized nearly 300,000 people to take direct political action daily all over the country since the 2016 election. Daily Action callers have notched some real victories in the first months of the Trump administration, like pressuring the House GOP to walk back their plans to gut the Congressional Ethics Office, or getting U.S. Customs and Border Protection to publicly commit to complying with all judicial orders and immediately release data on how many individuals they were detaining.
Laura's journalism has appeared in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Slate, Vogue, the Jewish Daily Forward, and many other publications, and her activism has been featured in the Washington Post, the Huffington Post, NBC News, Cosmopolitan, Vogue (and Teen Vogue too!), among others. She is the author of a Bette Davis biography and the co-author of four young-adult novels and many nonfiction books, several of them New York Times bestsellers. She is a graduate of West University Elementary, St. John's School, and Amherst College. She lives in West University Place with her husband, Arun Chaudhary, their two young children, and their three rescue cats.
When our leadership in Washington failed us, Laura Moser stood up as a citizen-activist to found an organization that has prevented the Trump administration from enacting some of its worst, most damaging goals. Laura's activism led her to the realization that the problem isn't us, the people. It's the politicians.
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 10
Mike Siegel – Mike has dedicated most of his life to public service. He is an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Austin, Texas. He seeks to bring his experience as a civil rights advocate, public school teacher, union representative and organizational leader to benefit the people of the Texas 10th Congressional District. He has a history of fighting—for working people, students, families, disadvantaged populations—and he will bring that same spirit to the position of Representative for the 10th Congressional District of Texas.
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 21
Mary Wilson Street - Mary Wilson is a progressive Democrat running to represent the 21st District of Texas in Congress. Mary is a fierce advocate for social justice, as a pastor and as an educator. Mary has spent 20 years in the classroom and 16 years as the pastor of a local congregation. Wilson is passionate about caring for people, building community, and bringing people together.
Mary is the proud mother of two adult daughters, and also the happy grandma of two little boys. Mary Wilson lives in Austin, Texas with her spouse, Betty McDaniel. With such a wonderful family, everyday is a day of laughter and love!
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 22
Dr. Letitia Plummer - Health care provider, small business owner, single mother of three. Running to bring prosperity to the people of TX-22, and integrity to Congress. Letitia has been endorsed by Justice Democrats and Brand New Congress!
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 23
Rick Treviño - Rick Treviño is a teacher running for Congress. He is a true progressive with a record of standing up to DC politicians and fighting for working families. Rick is the one candidate in the Democratic Primary with a “Progressive Platform for the People” of District 23.
Rick’s “Progressive Platform for the People” challenges both Democrats and Republicans to put aside special interest money and do what is best for the people of District 23. It begins by guaranteeing healthcare to all Americans. Rick believes that healthcare is a right of all people and not a privilege. He will fight for “Medicare for All”, which will lower health care costs and provide better services for all.
Rick is 32 years old and lives in San Antonio, Texas. He was born in Laredo, Texas to Ricardo and Alma Treviño who are both nurses. His mother was born in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico and his father was born in Laredo, USA. Along with his older sister Yvonne, his parents instilled in him a strong work ethic and compassion for the vulnerable.
Rick Treviño graduated from The University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science, and completed his Masters in Educational Leadership from Trinity University. He was teaching Geography and History at Sam Houston High School before deciding to run for Congress. In 2016, Rick was a National Delegate for Bernie Sanders.
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 25
Chris Perri – Chris is one of the nicest people I have encountered while promoting progressive candidates. Chris has dedicated his life to fighting for justice and freedom. As a defense attorney for over a decade in Central Texas, he has tirelessly fought to uphold our country’s most precious cornerstone, the Constitution, by defending Texans of all backgrounds and beliefs. He is now ready to bring his passion, energy, and progressive values to Washington to ensure that the Government protects and provides for both the present and future generations.
Chris’ interest in human behavior, decision-making, and public policy led him to earn his master’s degree in economics. Using this lens, he searches for optimal solutions to both legal and societal problems. For instance, Chris regularly employs his economics skills to find mutually beneficial solutions when negotiating with prosecutors. Likewise, if elected to Congress, Chris intends to apply these skills when reaching across the aisle to attain fair, common-sense solutions that protect individual rights and promote progress.
In 2009, with a stroke of good luck, Chris met his wife, Shannon, a sixth-generation Texan from Burnet. Holding master’s degrees in both social work and creative writing, she currently teaches in the English department at Texas State University. In 2012, they married in Big Bend National Park and now live in South Austin.
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 27
Eric Holguin - I'm running because the communities of the 27th Congressional District deserve better - a true public servant. I've been fighting for disenfranchised communities across the country and it's time to bring that fight home. I was born and raised in South Texas to a working-class Tejano family, and it's about time that the people are represented by someone who represents true South Texas values. I will stand alongside you every step of the way to make sure we can go beyond dreaming and start achieving.
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 31
Dr Christine Eady Mann - My name is Dr. Christine Eady Mann ― Dr. Eady on my medical license, and Christine Mann on my marriage license. I am a family practice physician in Cedar Park, Texas. I have been practicing in Central Texas for 18 years.
Since the 2016 election, there have been too many times where I found myself saying "someone needs to do something." I am someone. And I can do something.
In the United States, women represent 51% of the population, but hold fewer than 20% of elected offices. At the rate that we are electing women, it will take 100 years before women hold an equal number of positions as men. If we want women to have a voice in policy making and legislation, we must elect them into office at all levels of government. We have that opportunity here in TX-31.
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 32
Colin Allred - Colin Allred is a civil rights attorney and Dallas native who is running to represent Texas’ 32nd District.
Inspired by the many grassroots voices that have stepped forward to defend our common values since the 2016 election, Colin is running for Congress because he believes that now more than ever, we need leaders who will stand up for everyone in our community – instead of catering to the special interests that rigged the system against ordinary people in the first place.
As an attorney for the prestigious Perkins Coie law firm, Colin was a voting rights litigator and counsel to a range of clients including national and state political candidates and advocacy organizations. Colin’s experience also includes positions in both the Obama White House and the U.S. Attorney’s office.
TEXAS STATE SENATE DISTRICT 17
Fran Watson - Fran Watson is proud to call Texas her home. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Houston-Downtown and her law degree from TSU’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law.
Fran is an attorney, certified mediator, and one of the founding partners of Simoneaux & Watson, P.C., a Houston based law firm that focuses on protecting the legacy of families through estate planning and estate administration. In addition to her law practice, Fran provides pro-bono and reduced-fee services to some clients in various areas including Landlord/Tenant, debt collection, and some limited family law cases affecting LGBTQ clients.
Like many Texans, Fran’s life was met with some personal challenges. From losing her mother at age 13 to a drug overdose, to getting expelled from high school for having too many absences, to breaking both of her legs and being temporarily disabled, Fran understands how lack of access can hinder people from succeeding. These experiences are a driving force for Fran to work to ensure everyone has equal access and the opportunity to succeed.
Fran has a passion for equality and believes everyone deserves a life of dignity, equal access, and fair treatment. She has served in leadership at the local, state, and national level in organizations and committees whose missions align with those beliefs. She has won several awards including being named a 40 under 40 Honoree by the Houston Business Journal and Public Citizen of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers in Houston. Fran also served as the 2016 Houston Pride Female Grand Marshal.
TEXAS HOUSE DISTRICT 37
Rene O. Oliveira – Incumbent
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TEXAS HOUSE DISTRICT 45
Erin Zwiener – Let's put the ALL back in Y'ALL!
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TEXAS HOUSE DISTRICT 46
Sheryl Cole - Strong Advocacy Skills with a Get-Things-Done Approach
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TEXAS HOUSE DISTRICT 47
Vikki Goodwin - The Democrat Who Can Win in November
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TEXAS HOUSE DISTRICT 64
Andrew Morris - As the saying goes - "I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as quick as I could!" The United States was founded on the travails and experiences of immigrants, and running to be your State Representative continues that long and proud tradition.
Morris was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1985. His father David was a minister and civil and structural engineer while his mother Fiona is a nurse. The family later moved to Melbourne, Australia, where Morris graduated from high school in 2004 in and after attending the highly acclaimed Monash University graduated with bachelor’s degrees in history and political science in 2007. While attending the university, Morris was a very active member of the prestigious Monash Association of Debaters, a club with an international reputation.
I now want to take my experiences and knowledge to Austin to help make a difference in our rhetoric and our conversations - making a difference, even if that's just sparking a discussion about a topic that's near and dear to us.
Andrew Morris wants to become the representative for Texas House District 64 to better address voters’ concerns and goals for education. Morris trusts medical science and believes in equal rights for all. He wants a strong and varied education system, which will be the foundation of a thriving economy where everyone treats everyone equally.
TEXAS HOUSE DISTRICT 109
Deshaundra Lockhart Jones - The third African American woman elected to DeSoto City Council, participated in the passage of much of the 2009 technology and finance stabilization legislation during the two phases of her municipal career.