Northeast Tarrant County voters will elect a District 91 state representative in Tuesday's runoff elections, while voters in southeast Tarrant County's House District 95 select a Democrat to face a Republican this fall.
In District 91, two Republicans - ex-North Richland Hills Mayor Pro Tem Ken Sapp and ex Tarrant County GOP Chair Stephanie Klick - are in a runoff to replace Kelly Hancock. The district covers North Richland Hills, Richland Hills, Haltom City, Watauga, and part of Fort Worth. There is no Democratic challenger.In District 95, Democrats Nicole Collier and Jesse Gaines, both attorneys, are in a runoff. The winner faces Republican Monte Mitchell.The district includes Forest Hill, Everman and parts of East and Southeast Fort Worth.Early voting is underway. In the May District 91 primary, Sapp received 39.8 percent of votes to Klick's 31.9. In District 95, Collier got 48.2 percent of votes to Gaines' 38.4 percent.Scott Nishimura,817-390-7808
Ken Sapp
Age: 66
Residence: North Richland Hills
Background: Grew up Fort Worth, retired insurance exec, six years North Richland Hills council.
What he's talking about: Balancing budget, managing Texas healthcare after Supreme Court ruling on President Obama's healthcare bill, immigration, jobs, education.
On education funding: "My biggest concern is to bring some equality to the funding formula."
On healthcare: "I agree with Gov. Perry's position" to refuse to expand the state's Medicaid program or direct the state to set up a healthcare exchange. Under the new law, the federal government would then set up the exchange.
Stephanie Klick
Age: 54
Residence: Fort Worth
Background: Grew up Richland Hills. Registered nurse. Six years as Tarrant County GOP chairman.
What she's talking about: Schools, healthcare.
On impact of health law, under which feds pick up 90 percent of state Medicaid expansion first five years: "The feds can't afford the 90 percent and the state can't afford the 10 percent."
Nicole Collier
Age: 39
Residence: Fort Worth
Background: Had two children by age 18, graduated from Texas Wesleyan University law school, now civil trial lawyer.
What she's talking about: Education funding, healthcare, transportation, preserving Congressional District 33.
On education funding: "We have to have adequate funding." Interested in Texas' Rainy Day Fund.
On healthcare funding: "We do not want to turn away any federal dollars."
Jesse Gaines
Age: 63
Residence: Fort Worth
Background: Grew up near Tyler. Earned law degree at University of California-Hastings, in private practice.
What he's talking about: Healthcare, education funding, jobs, preserving Congressional District 33.
On redistricting: "We're to going to have to press to keep Congressional District 33."
On healthcare: He wants more children covered by state Medicaid. On Rainy Day Fund: "It's raining now."
On education funding: More money is needed, and "we have to come up with a political will to do it."
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