Candidates for Fort Worth area Texas House District 92 on the November 8 ballot
Joe Livingston
Political party: Republican GOP
Age as of November 8, 2022: 65
Campaign website: joelivingstonforhd92.com
Occupation: Real Estate Professional
Education: BBA from the University of Texas at Arlington
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought)
Precinct Chair
Please list highlights of your civic involvement:
Election Judge since 2008, Precinct Chair since 2008, G.P. Zoning Board of Adjustments & Appeals 2017, Church Management Team, Advisor for Grand Prairie DeMolay since 1979, First recipient and namesake of the “Joe Livingston, Light in the Community” Award, Easter Seals Fund Raiser, Wycliff Bible Translators Fund Raiser, Volunteer at the North Texas Food Bank, Pregnancy Resource Center of Grand Prairie Contributor, Chairman of Grand Prairie REALTOR® Scholarship Breakfast, Eagle Scout, BSA
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
Jeff Cason, Arlington Republican Club, and Darl Easton.
What is the most important distinction between you and your opponent(s)?
I’m a Conservative and support conservative values. I support Secure Elections, Secure Borders and Parental oversite of Education. I’ll let him speak for himself.
What are the three biggest issues in this race?
Secure Elections, Secure Borders and Education.
Should property taxes be lowered? What can the state do to lower property taxes for Texans? Be specific.
Reduce regulation on business, and reduce property taxes. This can be accomplished by reducing government waste and better budgeting.
What should the state do to address immigration at the Texas-Mexico border?
The government should build the wall and secure the border. We should work with Mexico to stop the flow of illegal drugs, crime organizations and terrorists that are coming across the border. I welcome people and business coming in through the proper entry ways, but not coming across the border at unauthorized crossings.
Do you support changes to Texas gun laws? If so, what changes? Would you support raising the age to buy AK-style rifles from 18 to 21?
I think we have sufficient gun laws. We need to enforce the laws we have. We cannot raise the age because it would be a violation of the 2nd amendment. In order to accomplish that we would have to change the age of majority to 21 which would require people to be 21 to drink, vote, etc.
How should Texas continue its efforts to make schools safer?
Schools should have secure access points with electronic surveillance. They should have limited access to the property. They should have live armed security at all times.
Should Texas change its abortion law to make exceptions for rape and/or incest? At what point in a pregnancy should abortion be barred, if at all?
Babies are a gift from God and should not be executed. As far as rape and incest, I have the deepest sympathy for the victims but the baby is not the cause and should not be executed. I have family members who would not be here if they were aborted due to rape. The rapist should be the one being punished. There are plenty of adoptive parents that would love to adopt a baby when a mother could not raise that child.
What can the state do to help students who are lagging behind grade level in subjects like math and reading? What specific policies do you support to improve achievement in Texas schools?
I am for Improved education; Schools should be teaching basics like reading, writing, arithmetic, science, civics, and history. Our children should be taught history, not hate. Social and sexual issues should be taught at home. Parents should have a say in what the students are taught instead of bureaucrats.
Should there be a statewide ban or limit on gender-affirming health care treatments for transgender Texans younger than 18? Which medical procedures or treatments and why? How should such a ban/limit be enforced?
Social and sexual issues should be taught at home. Parents should have a say in what the students are taught instead of bureaucrats. Children should not be taught or encouraged to modify their gender.
Do you support Medicaid expansion? What changes would you like to see in the healthcare system to make care more affordable and accessible?
I don’t support expansion. I do support eliminating waste and fraud and cleaning up the system could make it more efficient and better for everyone.
Texas is expected to have a huge budget surplus in the coming legislative session. How should those dollars be spent and what priorities should be addressed with those dollars?
It should be used to reduce debt and improve infrastructure, including border security.
Should Texas loosen its marijuana laws? Would you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational and/or medical use?
Absolutely NOT! Marijuana and other drugs lead to other crimes and health care issues.
Should Texas legalize casino gambling? Should the state legalize sports betting? If so, what should be the framework and parameters?
I don’t think that we need any more gambling than we already have.
Has the state done enough to fix the power grid? What should be done going forward to ensure its successful operation, particularly in times of extreme weather?
I think we have made progress, but with a growing population, we should continue to improve the grid. You can’t charge your electric car when the power is off!
Salman Bhojani
Political party: Democrat
Age as of November 8, 2022: 42
Campaign website: BhojaniforTexas.com
Occupation: Managing Partner, Bhojani Law, PLLC
Education: Bachelor of Science, University of Texas at Dallas Juris Doctor, Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought)
I first ran for Euless City Council, Place 2 in 2017. In 2018, I ran a successful campaign for City Council, Place 6, and became the first Muslim and minority to be elected to Euless City Council. In my time on the City Council, I served as Mayor Pro Tem from 2020-2021.
Please list highlights of your civic involvement:
Board Member for the American Ismaili Chamber of Commerce
Boy Scouts Troop Leader for Troop 758
Mayor Pro Tem of Euless (2020-2021)
Euless City Council (2018-2021)
Euless City Parks and Leisure Services Board (2015-2018)
Boy Scout Troop Committee Chair for Troop 758 (2016-2018)
Volunteer for 6 Stones
Volunteer for the Young Entrepreneurs Academy
Volunteer for Worldwide Education Fund
Spearheaded the Youth in Government Program in the city of Euless
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
My top three campaign contributors are as follows (with a four-way-tie for third):
13,000.00 Investments, LLC (Anwar Aman)
10,192.42 Eric Pelfrey
10,000.00 Minhas Ladiwalla
10,000.00Rania Mohamed
10,000.00 Indian American Impact Fund
10,000.00 Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC
What is the most important distinction between you and your opponent(s)?
I have had the distinct honor of already serving many HD-92 residents as Euless City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem. My experiences on council have prepared me for the work ahead, and I am uniquely fit to hit the ground running on day one. As the only Democrat on the seven-member council, I was able to build consensus for numerous commonsense solutions and initiatives for my constituents, which is a trait that will be key to passing legislation in a Republican-controlled legislature. Additionally, I have lived through years as a paycheck-to-paycheck, minimum wage worker, often working three jobs at a time during my young adult life. I was able to climb out of that situation with the help of a supportive community and family, but many Texans find themselves unable to attain the American Dream we are taught to seek. I will be a fighter for the underserved and marginalized, and I will ensure they have a leader in their corner in the state legislature.
What are the three biggest issues in this race?
The three biggest issues in this race are strengthening our public schools, creating a strong economy for all, and fostering a healthy Texas. We need a fully-funded public education system that gives a quality, robust education to all Texans, regardless of their income level or zip code. We need to match our population growth with an increase in quality jobs, take care of our people with better wages and benefits, and provide better working environments that are free of discrimination and harassment. We need to reverse the uninsured and underinsured trend in our state, and give quality healthcare to hundreds of thousands of Texans.
Should property taxes be lowered? What can the state do to lower property taxes for Texans? Be specific.
There are several actions the state can and should take to lower our property taxes. The state government used to split the cost of public education with local districts evenly. Over time, the state has reduced its share of funding, forcing local districts to raise taxes and leaving taxpayers to foot the bill. By increasing its contribution to fund our public schools, the state can alleviate the immense burden on taxpayers. Another action the state should take to lower property taxes is to expand Medicaid. Texas has the highest number of uninsured and underinsured Americans in the country. Insurance premiums go up for everyone when doctors and hospitals treat large numbers of uninsured patients. Texans should get their share of federal tax dollars back that they pay to the federal government. Those lost federal dollars would help reduce the level of the uninsured in Texas and would help lower the local property taxes we pay for uncompensated care.
What should the state do to address immigration at the Texas-Mexico border?
Texas and the United States are better for the contributions of immigrants. Our state should take steps to streamline and simplify our immigration system, not make it more difficult. Political stunts disguised as policy are not just ineffective, they are deadly. Deadly for migrants escaping poverty, violence, political instability, and climate change. It’s also deadly for those who have been sent to the border under a false call of service to our state and country. We need an immigration system that honors the humanity in us all, no matter which side of the border you’re born on.
Do you support changes to Texas gun laws? If so, what changes? Would you support raising the age to buy AK-style rifles from 18 to 21?
There are several steps that can be taken by the Texas Legislature to better protect our communities from gun violence, including raising the age to purchase semi-automatic firearms. I also fully support red flag laws, expanding background checks, enacting and enforcing secure firearm storage laws, and funding crisis prevention programs. In states that have passed similar measures, gun-related deaths and accidents have decreased drastically.
How should Texas continue its efforts to make schools safer?
In Texas, the leading cause of death in children and teens is gun violence. As the father of two children who attend Texas public schools, I understand the very real fear that many parents have sending their kids to school. Our number one priority should be the safety of our children, and school is the last place families should have to worry about gun violence. Texas can continue to make school safer by implementing universal background checks for potential gun owners, enforcing red flag laws, and raising the age of gun ownership from 18 to 21.Texas can also make schools safer by implementing expert-endorsed school security upgrades, and fostering safe and trusting school environments.
Should Texas change its abortion law to make exceptions for rape and/or incest? At what point in a pregnancy should abortion be barred, if at all?
The decision to become a parent is one of the most important life decisions a person can make. When everyone can make decisions that are best for their own lives, families thrive and we build healthier communities where each of us can participate with dignity. I trust Texans to make their own decisions about their future and health, including whether or not to have an abortion. The majority of legal abortions are performed before 13 weeks for a variety of reasons. After thirteen weeks, health problems may continue to develop for either mother or fetus. Miscarriages, placental abruptions, and birth defects are all very real and terrifying possibilities for parents. When elected, I will fight to make abortions available and affordable for all Texans in need of one, remove barriers to family planning, and fund comprehensive age-appropriate sexual education.
What can the state do to help students who are lagging behind grade level in subjects like math and reading? What specific policies do you support to improve achievement in Texas schools?
Texas consistently ranks among the lowest in the nation for its public education opportunities and performance. The routine underfunding our public education system has left students, teachers, and staff to bear unreasonable consequences: alarmingly limited resources and vast inequities in learning. Addressing these shortfalls in student success also requires the consideration of forces outside of the classroom like child poverty, food insecurity, mental health issues, and early exposure to the criminal justice system—all of which can have a detrimental impact on student learning capacity. In order to improve student achievement, our state must invest in creating safe and healthy school environments. This means increasing teacher pay, providing funding for social emotional learning, putting mental health practitioners on every campus, and providing nourishing meals for students.
Should there be a statewide ban or limit on gender-affirming health care treatments for transgender Texans younger than 18? Which medical procedures or treatments and why? How should such a ban/limit be enforced?
Transgender children need support from their community and doctors. Trans kids are over twice as likely to attempt suicide than other children their age. The state should take measures to mitigate this, not exacerbate it.Many anti-LGBT+ groups have made it their goal to misinform the public on what happens when a transgender child gets support from their community and doctors. These children do not undergo surgeries, nor are they forced to change for their parents’ preference. Most kids will grow their hair in a way that suits them, go by a different name, or maybe take puberty blockers. None of these are permanent. Hair grows out, names can be changed, and puberty blockers give individuals time to decide if they want to take further steps in their gender discovery.
Do you support Medicaid expansion? What changes would you like to see in the healthcare system to make care more affordable and accessible?
I strongly support Medicaid expansion. Texas has the largest uninsured population of any state in the country. By expanding Medicaid, all Texans would see medical premiums go down as they would no longer be forced to supplement soaring doctor and hospital prices for uninsured patients. Right now millions of Texans are missing out on healthcare they can’t currently qualify for because the legislature refuses to expand Medicaid. Working Texans should be able to get the benefits they need for their families to gain stronger financial footing, generate new jobs, and continue to improve our economy.
Texas is expected to have a huge budget surplus in the coming legislative session. How should those dollars be spent and what priorities should be addressed with those dollars?
My top priorities would be to use that surplus to better fund our public schools and improve school infrastructure. We have the potential to have some of the best public schools in the world, and we should do what it takes to make that a reality. That includes paying teachers what they deserve and equipping our students with learning environments where they can thrive. We have enough in the surplus to give substantial bonuses to every educator in the state. Additionally, many schools across the state are in disrepair. While crumbling facilities are a statewide problem, this issue disproportionately affects students in low-income communities that do not have funds for maintenance, repair, or modernization. We can use the budget surplus to help cover costly repairs and improvements to give our students and teachers the best chance at success.
Should Texas loosen its marijuana laws? Would you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational and/or medical use?
When looking at states that have legalized marijuana, the health and economic benefits are overwhelming. I believe marijuana legalization would encourage economic growth across the state, and would encourage law enforcement to better prioritize community safety over distrust.I support fully decriminalizing marijuana, and legalizing its regulated and taxed sale in Texas. By taxing marijuana and regulating the industry, we can generate revenue for our state and ensure marijuana purchased has health and safety oversight measures in-place. I also support expunging criminal charges for the possession and small sale of marijuana.
Should Texas legalize casino gambling? Should the state legalize sports betting? If so, what should be the framework and parameters?
Until we legitimately fix our lottery system, I would be hard pressed to support any expansion of gambling. The lottery was brought to Texas with the promise of astronomically benefiting our underfunded education system, but 73% of lottery revenue never goes toward uplifting schools. If a bill comes before the floor that includes strict regulation and a well laid out plan to ensure gambling funds are designated to education or other social services, I would consider voting yes.
Has the state done enough to fix the power grid? What should be done going forward to ensure its successful operation, particularly in times of extreme weather?
More than 700 Texans died as a result of Winter Storm Uri. Almost two years have passed and we still aren’t prepared for another serious winter storm. Policies that privatize and deregulate our energy system are failing the people of Texas. We must prioritize any necessary steps to update the Texas grind including weatherizing our energy systems and diversifying our energy portfolio so as to not be reliant on a singular power source.
