Here’s who’s running in the Democrat primary for Texas House District 97
Diane Symons
Age: 52
Campaign website: www.dianesymonstx97.com
Best way for voters to reach you: www.dianesymonstx97.com 817.683.8027
Occupation: Photographer
Education: Associate of Arts 1997 TCC
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought, with years): N/a
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism: Women’s rights, immigration, support Ukraine, gun violence. Helping seniors, caring, help around house, grocery store, dr appts. Donations and deliver to hurricane areas in Texas. Provide food clothing and blankets to homeless. Help putting food on tables.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain: When 22 public intoxication that was 30 yrs ago
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain: No
Who are your top three campaign contributors?: I have not accepted donations at this time
Why are you seeking this office?: I know what it is to struggle. I have a reason to fight like hell, fighting the good fight. I have listened to everyone no matter if rich or poor, educated or not so much. I speak to the people that make companies profitable who get paid the least. I speak to small businesses. People have dreams and I want them to know that they can do it and I will be their voice in office or wherever I am. That they are not alone. I am passionate about people. Everyone can succeed we just have to tear down the walls that our government has put up.
What are the biggest challenges facing House District 97?: Education, income and equality
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?: Education, Economy (which is strong however income doesn’t match) and equality
How will you measure your success as a state legislator?: That I continue to fight on behalf of all. That I don’t give up and I reduce the struggles of all people.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents?: I believe that my platform hits every household one way or another. If we don’t have experienced teachers for the long hall (FWISD 3 yrs average), we won’t have well rounded educated students. If we don’t raise the minimum wage, people will continue to struggle. I want $15 min wage and then every year our economy grows add $1 to the minimum wage. In order for small businesses to continue to be profitable and not go broke on the additional expense of payroll, add employee tax break. Not every person is college material not what they interested in as a career choice is taught. Trade schools are a must. I want to ensure anyone who wants to attend a trade school, college or university in the state of Texas should receive $8k per yr to attend. Nothing is free, they would have to do community service. Property taxes cost those receiving social security 1-5x’s their monthly payments. To thank and give incentives to teachers and school employees, active and retired - receive $0 property taxes
Should Attorney General Ken Paxton have been convicted during his Senate impeachment trial? Why/Why not?: Yes. He was guilty. When republicans were threatened by losing donations or their campaigns for reelection if they voted to impeach, that should be considered jury tampering.
Do you support Gov. Greg Abbott’s call for the use of education savings accounts? Why?/Why not?: No. His savings accounts are not for all students just the ones he chooses.
What should Texas do to address immigration and border security at the Texas-Mexico border?: I think Texas should work with Mexico officials and federal government. It has to be a team and not just one. We have to be on the same page. I believe that we should work with Mexico to help protect the border from their side. Put our military on their side. Let’s put a system in place to find out what trades they offer. We slack in some areas like farming, truck drivers, nurses and teachers. Let’s help them learn English. Let’s help them not to suffer while waiting. People cross illegally cuz they don’t have the money needed to come to America. Most are getting robbed at gunpoint.
What should the Texas Legislature do to respond to and prepare for population growth in North Texas?: First, we must have educated people, better roads, electric grid that can withstand more people, better roads, public transportation, and land to have housing. Higher minimum wage would assist so more people don’t become homeless. We must have better public schools. We must have a government that can work together for every Texan.
Should Texas law be changed to clarify when an abortion is allowed in medical emergencies? Why/Why not?: Yes. Doctors can’t do their job by saving a woman’s life. To keep a baby that will not be able to live outside the womb or has no heart beat should not be forced to carry for 9 months. The emotional toll is unbearable for everyone. A 9 yr old should not be forced to have a baby. 6 weeks is not enough time for women to know if they are pregnant.
Should Texas expand casino gambling and legalize sports betting in Texas? Why/Why not?: Yes. Texans are gambling in other states, who are profiting. Why can’t Texas profit. It would also create more jobs. I would add to any bill that casinos would be allowed in cities with less than 100k population.
What’s a Texas policy issue that’s important to you, but not necessarily as high profile? Why do you think it’s important?: Homelessness. Veterans, kids, mothers, women, men should not be treated less than anyone else. We need to provide drug counseling, mental health, healthcare and more housing options like dorms.
Carlos Walker
Did not respond
William W. Thorburn
Age: 56
Campaign website: thorburnfortexas.com or ballotpedia.org/William_Thorburn
Best way for voters to reach you: thorburnfortexas@gmail.com
Occupation: Educator
Education: Baylor University, BBA Accounting, 1990
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought, with years): No
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism: CPA (TX#60995); Teacher (20+ years); Founder, Fish for Life Foundation (See Facebook page or IG @williamwthorburn); Member, Arborlawn UMC (15+ years), Choir Member/Treasurer, Sunday school teacher
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, Chapter 7, 2002. A former business associate borrowed money from myself and other family members and did not pay the money back. The business associate’s business, Advanced ATM, declared bankruptcy in 1999 and was sold to an out-of-town purchaser. I received nothing but creditor claims from the remnants of the business. This was the nadir of my adult life, as I lost my marriage, my job, and my good standing. However, I am proud to say that almost thirty years later I have built my life back, have been in the classroom over twenty years, and have learned from these mistakes to become a better person. I serve young people in the classroom and will continue to do so, whether or not I am successful in the race for Texas House District 97.
Who are your top three campaign contributors?: Self-funded and small donors locally (none over $250); no out of town donors
Why are you seeking this office?: I am a product of public schools and want to preserve their ability to serve all children in District 97 and Texas. I want to restore the reproductive freedoms of Texas women that they have had for over 50 years until last year. I want to restore hope to the “center-left” and the “center-right” of Texas, to give the “center”, what I believe to be the majority of District 97 and Texas, a choice in an election, instead of being forced to choose between two extremes produced by an antiquated two-party primary system that forces candidates to stake out positions at the extremes.
What are the biggest challenges facing House District 97?: Education--how to provide for all children in District 97 within the framework of existing choices and ensure adherence to the Texas Constitution as it relates to public funding for schools. Reproductive freedoms--how to find consensus around this issue, common ground where Texas women feel safe to work with their medical providers where life is protected and women are provided reasonable access. At a bare minimum, restore exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?: Education, Reproductive freedoms, and (long-term goal) Texas term limits. Serving in public office should not be a career. It should be an honor with a fixed end time, at which point other citizens are welcome to participate in the process.
How will you measure your success as a state legislator?: If I can protect public funding for public schools, restore women’s liberties, and begin the conversation towards limiting the terms of politicians (which in turn will generate new ideas from new participants), I would go back to the classroom feeling satisfied.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents?: I believe in finding common ground, not fighting. I believe that “a soft answer turneth away wrath, and a harsh word stirs up anger.” We need more soft answers and less harsh words. The center of this great state needs to have its voice heard. I am here to provide one very small canoe to carry that message down the middle of the river, where the depth of the water is at its greatest.
Should Attorney General Ken Paxton have been convicted during his Senate impeachment trial? Why/Why not?: 121 representatives voted to impeach in the House, including 61 of his fellow Republicans. According to Texas Monthly, on the eve of the trial, Dan Patrick “took money in the form of a $1million campaign contribution and $2 million in campaign loans” from “the [PAC] Defend Texas Liberty, funded by Paxton’s most generous backers, Farris Wilks and Tim Dunn..” This seems to be the most rhetorical of rhetorical questions and what is wrong with Texas politics. The system runs on money and money corrupts most politicians.
Do you support Gov. Greg Abbott’s call for the use of education savings accounts? Why?/Why not?: No, they are really (vouchers), and I oppose them for the following reasons: 1) We already have school choice: public, charter, online, home school, and private; 2) they violate separation of church/state, i.e., my public tax dollars could be used to send a child to a parochial school which doesn’t align with my beliefs, i.e., I am a moderate Methodist who believes in women’s freedoms and a family uses my tax dollars to go to a school that teaches that the earth is 6,000 years old; and 3) the vouchers are tantamount to a coupon for families who are already sending their kids to private school, not enough for a middle class family to send to TVS or Country Day or Nolan, but a nice discount for those families already sending their kids to private schools; and 4) private schools are not held to the same standards as public schools in terms of accountability, educator certifications, and ADA requirements to serve all students.
What should Texas do to address immigration and border security at the Texas-Mexico border?: I believe in a campassionate AND controlled border. If the Federal government will not act, I would form a 4-state coalition between CA, AR, NM, and Texas. I would enact a guest-worker program. I would consult with leaders in the following industries: ag, construction, hospitality. How many workers are needed? Provide permits. Only those with permits are able to work in the state. We will know who is here, they can come out of the shadows, and we can collect tax revenue and permit fees. Again, we can find common ground instead of parading around in front of TV cameras.
Also, I would try to cure the disease, not the symptoms. Instead of Abbott’s pouring over $10 billion into razor wire and personnel on the border (to treat the symptom), let’s open dialogue with Mexico and Central America to provide safe and livable environments at the source of the problem so their citizens want to stay there (to cure the disease). It would be cheaper and more effective.
What should the Texas Legislature do to respond to and prepare for population growth in North Texas?: With continued population growth, real reform for the electric grid. Not band aids. We got lucky last summer and this winter. Texans need more margin. All of the above approach as it relates to energy: oil and gas, solar, wind, and clean nuclear. I would bring the stakeholders together in a transparent process, allowing Texans’ input, and move forward in a bipartisan manner. This issue affects all Texans, and a deal should not be done in the dark in a back room. And while I am at it, Texas needs a long-term water plan to be able to withstand the increase in population as well. Arizona did it in a bipartisan way because water affects everything we do in Texas, whether ag, ranching, or just plain old living.
Should Texas law be changed to clarify when an abortion is allowed in medical emergencies? Why/Why not?: See my above responses. This is one of my highest, short-term priorities.
Should Texas expand casino gambling and legalize sports betting in Texas? Why/Why not?: Yes. Too many Texas license plates sitting in Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas parking lots. This is tax money that should stay in Texas and help Texas schools. I say legalize, tax, and regulate. I say grant three licenses to reputable casinos (the current owners of the Dallas Mavericks come to mind) in North Texas, Austin-San Antonio, and Houston. This would create jobs and keep tax revenue in Texas.
I also believe the same about legalizing recreational marijuana, by the way: legalize, tax, and regulate.
What’s a Texas policy issue that’s important to you, but not necessarily as high profile? Why do you think it’s important?: Gerrymandering, which ties into voting, must stop. It really makes the votes of most Texans moot. How many competitive races are there? So, while most Texans might be able to vote, their voice has been rendered silent because of gerrymandering. In a similar vein, voting rights (which is high profile). If a Texas shows that they are eligible to vote, the ability to do so should be straightforward: access to a polling station, secure mail-in, early votin. Democracy should encourage participation of all who are eligible, not just for those who can take off work on a Tuesday. Finally, as a center-left candidate, I also believe in job creation through business policies that protect workers but limit the bureacratic intervention of Austin that stifles innovation. I believe in local control. Abbott and Patrick just passed a bill that is in litigation limiting the power of cities. It amuses me when they talk of limited government, until they disagree with you.
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