Meet the Texas Democrats running for Congress in District 12
The Star-Telegram sent questionnaires to all candidates. Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
Danny Anderson
Occupation: Aircraft assembler Lockheed Martin
Age: 61
Website: Under construction at this time
Public offices you’ve held or run for, with years: Park Board Member White Settlement, City Councilman White Settlement, Mayor-Pro Tem White Settlement. Ran for: County Commissioner 96’, Justice of the Peace
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain: Never been charged with a crime or been arrested.
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain: Auto accident suit I filed. No bankruptcy
Why are you seeking this office?
I want to continue working to make life better for people who don’t have the advantages others might have. I have always had a piece missing in my life not being able to serve in the military (was turned down by all branches due to medical issue ) and I feel like I’m making a difference serving my fellow Americans this way.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?
1. Women’s rights to decide on medical issues. 2. Protecting the environment. 3. Getting control on the deficit
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
I have over 35 years of experience in politics working on campaigns, running for office or serving in office. I will be ready on day one to work.
The federal government is accumulating record debt, with massive deficits even in a strong economy. What specific steps would you endorse to reduce the deficit?
First I would freeze new spending that did not have offset reductions in place. Would look at tax rates and corporate loopholes. Across the board departmental review for waste.
What changes should be made in U.S. trade policy?
First we would have to repair the damage done by this administration. We should go to the table with clear precise plans on what we want and are willing to give to renew our relationships with our trade partners. We cant beat everyone down and cause suffering for our manufacturers and farmers.
What changes to immigration law do you support? Would you vote to build any additional border wall or fence? Do you support a path to citizenship for those currently here illegally?
I would work to outlaw removing children from their families! I would support repairing and replacing the current wall. I believe there is a better solution to protecting our border than we are currently using. I have been working on an option that could benefit both sides of the border. Yes I do support a path to citizenship. I definitely don’t approve of service members who went to war for this country getting deported after their service.
What steps should the federal government take to combat climate change, if any?
To start with I believe the science that says we have a problem. I would support putting regulations back in place. Get the U.S. back to the table with other countries to work on policies and actions needed to leave a clean safe planet for our kids and theirs.
Lisa Welch
Occupation: College Professor
Age: 51
Website: www.lisawelch.org
Public offices you’ve held or run for, with years: This is the first public office I have run for.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain: No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain:
Yes. In 1996 my husband’s and I’s construction company installed the plumbing and HVAC in a new national chain restaurant. The general contractor made a critical error requiring a large amount of work having to be redone. The general contractor left the job without paying any of the subcontractors for work completed. As a small business, we had purchased materials, paid employees, and owed payroll taxes. We filed Chapter 13 bankruptcy to reorganize our debts and pay back all our debts. We subsequently filed Chapter 9 bankruptcy two years later because we couldn’t overcome that loss.
Why are you seeking this office?
As a scientist and educator, the outright denial of scientific facts by this administration and its supporters was the driving factor for me to run for Congress. Science denial in climate change, vaccinations, and reproductive biology by the president and members of legislation has not only influenced national policy but has emboldened states to create laws based on fallacies. The issues our countries face at this time are complex and multifaceted, and we need people in government with diverse backgrounds that are willing to reach out and assemble the best minds and confer with them to solve these problems.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?
Healthcare: Without access to healthcare we are holding our population hostage. Most people are one disease, medical incident, or accident away from financial disaster. People are living sub optimal lives because they cannot receive preventive care, medication to treat manageable diseases, or treatment/surgeries that would allow them to work and carry out daily activities. Climate Change: It is undeniable that the 7.5 billion people on earth today are having an impact on the environment and adding to the unprecedented levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Women’s absolute right to control when and if they have children.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
My background in science has prepared me to dissect and solve complex problems, understand that solutions are a process, and rely on others to bring their expertise to the table. I believe elected officials should go to Washington with a service mentality, politics should not be a lifelong career, and diversity and differing opinions add to the collective strength. I have worked to improve the lives of foster children, students, athletes, graduate students, and faculty members. I will take the same drive and service mentality to Washington with me. I plan to listen to all of the people in my district.
The federal government is accumulating record debt, with massive deficits even in a strong economy. What specific steps would you endorse to reduce the deficit?
Corporations are able to do business because of the infrastructure that taxes pay for, an educated society, the transportation infrastructure, and electrical and broadband networks. Often times they choose which areas to move into and do business with based on these considerations. They then benefit directly from the workforce available to them and often by how little they can get away with paying them. It is time for the corporations and the extravagantly wealthy to pay the taxes they should be responsible for. We must also require that a balanced budget be passed before any spending legislation can be considered.
What changes should be made in U.S. trade policy?
Our trade policies need to make sure that products produced by American workers can compete fairly in our market against products produced in countries with cheap labor, poor working conditions, lower environmental standards, and products produced by those countries using stolen intellectual property. This can be done by imposing tariffs against products produced in countries that are not upholding the same or a fair equivalent for workers’ wages, working conditions, and environmental standards.
What changes to immigration law do you support? Would you vote to build any additional border wall or fence? Do you support a path to citizenship for those currently here illegally?
Our asylum laws are not meant to protect those fleeing overwhelming violence, rape, and human trafficking and must be changed to address this new type of asylum seeker. Immigration policy going forward will have to include a process for amnesty to recognize the shortcomings of past policies that have allowed a generation of immigrants to live here without documentation. We have advanced technologies, which does not include building a wall, to protect our border against criminal activity, allow immigration and asylum seekers, without the dehumanizing detention system currently being used; we just have to dedicate the resources to it.
What steps should the federal government take to combat climate change, if any?
Immediately rejoin the Paris Climate Accord. Transfer subsidies, research money, and tax incentives given to fossil fuels to renewable energy. Require all new passenger vehicles get 45 mpg by 2025. Invest in infrastructure for renewable energy driven public transportation.
This story was originally published February 11, 2020 at 5:03 PM with the headline "Meet the Texas Democrats running for Congress in District 12."
