Here are the Democratic primary candidates for Texas Congressional District 30
Three Democrats are on the primary ballot for Texas Congressional District 30. The winner on March 3 will advance to the November election and face off with one of these Republican candidates.
Here are the Democrats’ responses to the Star-Telegram’s candidate questionnaire, in the order they’ll appear on your ballot.
Rodney Labruce
Age (as of March 3): 52
Campaign website: labruceforcongress.com
Best way for voters to reach you: rodney@labruceforcongress.com
Occupation: Finance professional in the real estate industry; pastor
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Finance; additional professional certifications in finance and insurance
Have you run for elected office before? No
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism in Dallas County and Tarrant County.
I’ve spent nearly 17 years as a pastor in Dallas County, but my work has always reached beyond the pulpit. I’ve sat at kitchen tables with families facing eviction and worked with neighbors struggling to make ends meet. I founded the Unified Advocacy and Leadership Coalition to move us past ‘band-aid’ solutions and toward fixing the root causes of poverty. By bringing together our churches, businesses, and local schools, I’ve spent my career building the local capacity needed to help people move from just surviving to truly thriving. I’m running to bring that same spirit of collaborative, results-oriented leadership to Washington.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? Yes. I was arrested in the past, but the case was dismissed, and no conviction resulted.
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? Yes. I filed for personal bankruptcy in 2012 and successfully completed the process. That experience gave me firsthand insight into the financial instability many families face today.
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
My funding comes from neighbors right here in the district, not corporate PACs. I’m running because I believe our community deserves a representative who listens to local voices, not special interests.
Why are you seeking this office?
I’m running because for too long, we’ve watched the wealth gap widen while leadership focuses on headlines rather than household stability. For 60 years, the approach has been to react to crises instead of solving their root causes. The result is that working families in our district are working harder than ever but falling further behind. I believe Congress must get back to systematic problem-solving. My goal is a self-reliant District 30 where we aggressively secure federal resources to build up our local institutions. We need these resources to create lasting economic security, not to create dependency. We don’t need more slogans; we need focus, discipline, and real outcomes.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?
We close the wealth gap by ensuring families can actually get ahead, not just get by. My priority is to strengthen household security by fighting for better wages, protecting affordable housing, and expanding access to the capital people need to start businesses. I want every family in District 30 to have a real path to building generational wealth.
How will you measure your success as a member of Congress?
Success isn’t measured by the number of bills passed, but by the number of families who no longer need government assistance because they are thriving. I measure success by whether we are moving toward zero poverty in District 30. We have spent decades on policies that treat the symptoms of crisis while leaving the root causes untouched. If a family is still stuck below the poverty line, the system has failed them. I will work to build an economy where every household has the stability and the tools to stand on their own two feet.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
Voters should choose me because I am focused on ending poverty, not just managing it. For 17 years as a pastor and community leader, I have seen how often politics revolves around the headline of the week or personal branding rather than long-term solutions. I am running with a clear and measurable goal to eliminate poverty in District 30 by fixing root causes and building true economic self-reliance. I bring real-world experience in building coalitions, working across differences, and measuring success by actual outcomes. I am focused on results rather than how much attention I can get or how closely I follow an ideology. I am ready to do the disciplined work it takes to move our district from survival to stability.
What is the biggest challenge facing Congress? How would you address it if elected?
The biggest challenge facing Congress is a loss of strategic focus. Too often, our leaders chase headlines and react to the crisis of the day instead of fixing root causes like the wealth gap and economic insecurity. This reactive approach creates a lot of noise but very little progress for working families. If elected, I will push for disciplined, outcome-focused policymaking. We should measure success by whether poverty is actually decreasing and families are becoming more stable, not by who got the most news coverage. Restoring seriousness to the work is the only way Congress will earn the public’s trust again.
What is the number one challenge your constituents are facing, and how do you plan to resolve it?
The number one challenge my constituents face is economic insecurity. Even when the national economy shows progress, too many families in District 30 are still living one emergency away from financial collapse. I plan to resolve this by moving past temporary relief and focusing on permanent stability. My approach involves raising wages, protecting affordable housing, and dismantling the workforce barriers that follow people after incarceration. I will fight for federal resources that help our district become more economically self-reliant, ensuring that every household has the tools to move above the poverty line and stay there. We do not need more band-aid solutions; we need a foundation for long-term independence.
How would you interact and work with members of the opposite party? Are there specific policy ideas where you see opportunities for bipartisanship?
I will work with anyone who is serious about producing results. In my 17 years as a pastor, I have learned that ending poverty and strengthening economic security are not partisan goals. They are human ones. I approach bipartisanship through outcomes rather than political labels. There are real opportunities for cooperation in areas like criminal justice reform, workforce development, and infrastructure. When proposals focus on measurable improvements instead of headlines, progress is possible. I will engage respectfully, stay focused on solutions, and hold everyone accountable to the results they deliver for District 30.
How would you approach foreign policy as a member of Congress?
I approach foreign policy with an emphasis on diplomacy, stability, and accountability. Congress has a responsibility to think strategically instead of reactively. We must avoid drifting into conflicts without clear objectives or oversight. I believe Congress must reclaim its constitutional role in authorizing the use of military force and prioritize diplomatic solutions whenever possible. A serious foreign policy is one that is disciplined, transparent, and focused on lasting outcomes rather than short-term political gains. Ultimately, our global decisions should reflect our values at home by protecting human rights and ensuring that federal resources are used to build long-term stability rather than fueling endless crises.
What steps, if any, should Congress take regarding artificial intelligence, including regulation and/or safeguards?
Congress must approach artificial intelligence with seriousness and restraint. We need federal safeguards that protect workers, privacy, and civil rights while allowing responsible innovation to flourish. I believe we must establish a clear national standard to ensure AI does not deepen the wealth gap, displace workers without a safety net, or operate in a black box. Congress should prioritize data privacy and algorithmic accountability, particularly when AI is used in employment, housing, and criminal justice decisions. My goal is to ensure this technology strengthens economic opportunity for everyone rather than accelerating inequality or concentrating power in the hands of a few. We need a unified framework that protects the American worker and keeps our community’s future secure.
What should be prioritized in federal spending and what, if anything, do you believe should receive less budget allocations?
Federal spending should prioritize investments that move people permanently above the poverty line. I will advocate for funding that builds a foundation for independence, including affordable housing, healthcare, education, and workforce development. We must also invest in infrastructure that strengthens local economies. My goal is to use federal resources to build local capacity and self-reliance, ensuring our community is not trapped in a cycle of permanent dependency.
We should reduce funding for programs that merely manage poverty rather than eliminate it. I would scale back corporate subsidies for highly profitable industries and eliminate wasteful administrative overhead by consolidating redundant programs. Congress must stop funding reactive solutions that treat symptoms while ignoring root causes. I will work to ensure federal dollars are used for disciplined, outcome-focused solutions that provide a clear path to economic stability.
What should Congress do to address healthcare?
With premium tax credits having lapsed, hundreds of thousands of Texans are at risk of losing coverage in 2026. I will work to restore and make permanent the enhanced subsidies that keep private insurance affordable for working families. We must also protect our safety-net hospitals from federal funding cuts, ensuring they remain viable to serve our most vulnerable neighbors.
A serious healthcare policy prioritizes keeping people healthy over simply managing their sickness. I will advocate for increased funding for Community Health Centers and the permanent extension of telehealth flexibilities. By shifting our focus toward preventive care and chronic disease management, we can improve health outcomes and prevent the medical debt that so often traps families in poverty.
How do you plan to ensure affordability for Texans in the day-to-day as well as in the housing market?
The housing market is stuck because supply has not kept pace with our growth. I support federal legislation like the ROAD to Housing Act to cut the regulatory red tape that makes building too expensive and slow. We must also address speculative pressures by curbing large institutional investors who buy up single-family homes. This practice artificially inflates prices and prevents everyday Texans from outbidding Wall Street.
Ultimately, affordability requires a stronger floor for working families. I will prioritize policies that strengthen wages and remove workforce barriers like the high cost of childcare and the long-term impacts of incarceration. By focusing on root-cause solutions rather than short-term band-aids, we can build a District 30 where families are not just surviving month to month. We can build a community that achieves the generational wealth and self-reliance it deserves.
What should Congress do, if anything, to address security along the U.S.-Mexico border and immigration policy?
Congress must move beyond crisis-driven politics and address border security and immigration as a long-term systems issue. Security matters, but enforcement alone does not solve the problem. I believe we must modernize the asylum and immigration system to create lawful and efficient pathways for work and residency. We must also address the root causes of migration through regional stability and economic development.
A functional and humane system strengthens our economy, improves security, and reduces long-term costs for taxpayers. Our goal should be order, fairness, and sustainability rather than perpetual crisis management. I will advocate for a disciplined approach that ensures our borders are secure while treating people with the dignity they deserve. By fixing the systemic backlogs and focusing on long-term stability, we can create an immigration policy that works for North Texas and the nation.
Barbara Mallory Caraway
Age (as of March 3): 69
Campaign website: Barbaraforcongress.com
Best way for voters to reach you: Carawayforcongress1@gmail.com
Occupation: Small Business Owner/ Consultant
Education: BA-Texas Southern University, Certification-Dispute Mediation, National Association of Certified Mefiators
Have you run for elected office before? 2007-2013- Texas House of Representatives, Dallas City Council, 1993-2001, Democratic Precinct Chair, Congressional Candidate 2012, 2014
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism in Dallas County and Tarrant County.
Dallas County-Serving as a member of the Texas Legislature, Dallas City Council, and as a Democratic Precinct Chair. I am a member of Camp Wisdom United Methodist Church and the Cedar Crest Homeowners Association.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? No
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
Corey Toney, Ken Watterson, Wayne Kirk.
Why are you seeking this office?
I am running to represent District 30 and Texas to use my legislative experience to fight for rights afforded by the U. S. Constitution that guarantees a right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Exercising this oath I will be the voice and advocate for safe and livable neighborhoods, the best educational opportunities available. To work for the fair allocation of taxpayer dollars, fair and a liable wage. I also want to work to increase the minimum wage and against government retaliation on its citizens.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?
How well I represent the will of my constituents and my ability to work with members of Congress to delivery on the priorities that make their lives better.
How will you measure your success as a member of Congress?
How well I represent the will of my constituents and my ability to work with members of Congress to delivery on the priorities that make their lives better.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
I am the only District 30 candidate with legislative experience. My work in the Texas Legislature and a Dallas Councilmember equips me with the understanding of how government works and the ability to deliver to my constituents. I can hit the ground running. My community involvement provides me with the “boots on the ground” service that connects me with the grass roots knowledge of the issues affecting the district. But most of all it is my sincere to serve the people.
What is the biggest challenge facing Congress? How would you address it if elected?
I believe that the credibility and reputation of Congress being a fair and open body is questioned. Who does Congress really represent, constituents or special interest? I also know that politician division is hurting our country. If elected I will honor my oath to the Constitution not to individuals or special interest. I will work tirelessly with other members to my deliver to my constituents and to Texas.
What is the number one challenge your constituents are facing, and how do you plan to resolve it?
Affordability. The cost of groceries and electricity is more expensive. The cost of homeownership is
How would you interact and work with members of the opposite party? Are there specific policy ideas where you see opportunities for bipartisanship?
I will have an open door policy of working with any individual or party who is willing to make life easier, better, safer and more successful for my constituents and the nation.
How would you approach foreign policy as a member of Congress?
At this point we need to rebuild the confidence and relationships with our allies. Continue our membership and support of NATO.
What steps, if any, should Congress take regarding artificial intelligence, including regulation and/or safeguards?
Congress should prohibit the of priority and personal property without the consent of the owner. It should enact ethical standards that safeguard against promoting and using fake and erroneous information that harms the wellbeing of individuals. Congress should balance the impact of AI on the workforce to make sure it doesn’t eliminate jobs from humans.
What should be prioritized in federal spending and what, if anything, do you believe should receive less budget allocations?
Congress should address the national debt which requires that we pay high interest on that debt. Less budget allocations should enacting a more equitable tax system that includes corporations and billionaires paying their fair share.
What should Congress do to address healthcare?
Congress should continue to fund the Affordable Care Act Subsidies, Medicaid for low-income families and people who qualify. Congress should also continue funding for Medicare, including for dental and eyeglass prescriptions.
How do you plan to ensure affordability for Texans in the day-to-day as well as in the housing market?
Texans are working longer hours and getting paid less. I will push to increase the minimum wage and a living wage. Everyday living expenses like groceries, electricity and rent are also increasing. I would support and introduce legislation that continue assistance with low-interest loans for first time homebuyers. There should be a prohibition against corporations buying up and inflating existing homes.
What should Congress do, if anything, to address security along the U.S.-Mexico border and immigration policy?
Congress should use modern day technology to help curtail drug activity along ports of entry, fund processing centers. Congress should pass comprehensive immigration reform.
Frederick D. Haynes III
Age (as of March 3): 65
Campaign website: www.haynesforcongress.com
Best way for voters to reach you: info@haynesforcongress.com
Occupation: Senior Pastor
Education: Bachelor of Arts, Master of Divinity, Doctorate in Ministry, Doctor of Philosophy
Have you run for elected office before? No
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism in Dallas County and Tarrant County.
For decades, my civic involvement and activism in Dallas County and Tarrant County have been grounded in the belief that faith must be expressed through justice, service, and community engagement. In Dallas County, I have worked with community leaders, educators, and policymakers to advocate for equitable public education, criminal justice reform, economic opportunity, and access to health and mental health services. Through Friendship-West Baptist Church, I have supported initiatives focused on youth development, workforce readiness, voter engagement, and violence prevention in partnership with nonprofits, school districts, and civic institutions.
In Tarrant County, my work has included regional and interfaith collaborations addressing poverty, public safety, and civic participation. Across both counties, my activism centers on amplifying marginalized voices, strengthening democratic engagement, and advancing policies rooted in dignity, fairness, and opportunity for all.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? No
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
Jane Brown, Willis Johnson, ueretha Jones-Slack
Why are you seeking this office?
U.A. House of Representatives, Texas 30
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?
If elected, my top three policy priorities will be expanding economic opportunity for working families, advancing justice and public safety reforms that protect both communities and constitutional rights, and strengthening access to quality education and healthcare, including mental health services.
How will you measure your success as a member of Congress?
I will measure success by tangible outcomes, whether families are earning more, communities are safer and healthier, and federal resources are reaching those who need them most.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
Voters should choose me because I bring a proven record of moral leadership, coalition-building, and results-driven advocacy rooted in faith, justice, and service, not politics as usual.
What is the biggest challenge facing Congress? How would you address it if elected?
One of the biggest challenge facing Congress is deep polarization that blocks progress. I will address it by building principled partnerships, centering people over parties, and focusing on solutions, not soundbites.
What is the number one challenge your constituents are facing, and how do you plan to resolve it?
The number one challenge facing my constituents is economic insecurity. I will fight for policies that create good jobs, lower costs, and expand opportunity so families can thrive, not just survive.
How would you interact and work with members of the opposite party? Are there specific policy ideas where you see opportunities for bipartisanship?
I will work with members of the opposite party by focusing on shared goals rather than partisan labels. Bipartisan opportunities exist in areas such as infrastructure, workforce development, veterans’ services, public safety, and responsible technology policy.
How would you approach foreign policy as a member of Congress?
As a member of Congress, I would approach foreign policy by prioritizing diplomacy, human rights, and global stability while ensuring America remains a strong and trusted partner.
What steps, if any, should Congress take regarding artificial intelligence, including regulation and/or safeguards?
Congress should address artificial intelligence by supporting innovation alongside clear safeguards that protect privacy, prevent discrimination, and promote transparency.
What should be prioritized in federal spending and what, if anything, do you believe should receive less budget allocations?
Federal spending should prioritize education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic opportunity for working families. Congress should reduce wasteful spending and excessive corporate subsidies that do not produce clear public benefit.
What should Congress do to address healthcare?
Congress must lower prescription drug costs, expand access to affordable coverage, and invest in mental health and preventive care to improve outcomes while reducing long-term costs.
How do you plan to ensure affordability for Texans in the day-to-day as well as in the housing market?
To ensure affordability, I will support policies that raise wages, lower everyday costs like childcare and utilities, and expand affordable housing through federal investment and partnerships with local governments.
What should Congress do, if anything, to address security along the U.S.-Mexico border and immigration policy?
Congress should pursue a balanced, humane approach, strengthening border security and infrastructure while fixing a broken immigration system, modernizing asylum processing, and creating lawful pathways that reflect both our economic needs and national values.