Both of the candidates running in the May 28, 2024, Democratic primary runoff election for Texas State Senate District 15 — Molly Cook (D) and Jarvis Johnson (D) — completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office.
Here are the candidates’ responses to the question: What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?
Cook:
- “Grassroots organizing For years, I have been building local organizing capacity in Houston and Harris County, knocking on doors in our district, and educating and supporting Democrats in navigating the Legislature to make their voices heard. For many of the policy issue fights that matter most to Texans, grassroots organizing is the missing piece. I want to build capacity and care for our district with the institutional support that comes with elected office.
- Public Health I am highly-trained in public health policy analysis and policy advocacy. No matter the committee, no matter the issue, I will bring public health expertise and a data-driven approach to move the needle and save lives.
- Nursing leadership Nurses are the most trusted profession year after year for a reason. Nurses are effective communicators, regardless of party. I provide the gold standard of care to every patient who checks into my emergency department, regardless of their ability to pay. I work seamlessly with the team in the ER, regardless of their ideology or party affiliation. SD 15 deserves the service of a nurse who has her hand on the pulse of what causes suffering, brings healing, and keeps us healthy and safe.”
Johnson:
- “Texas has the highest uninsured rate in the nation, this is unacceptable and we can do something about it. Texas is leaving billions of federal dollars on the table by not expanding Medicaid. This is the fastest and best solution to get millions of more Texans healthcare. Reproductive healthcare has been stripped away in Texas. Leaving many with no options, even when facing fatal medical conditions. I will continue to fight for expanded healthcare coverage, including fighting for a woman’s right to choose, and everyone’s access to reproductive healthcare.
- Unfortunately, we’ve seen poor flooding infrastructure during once-in-a-lifetime weather events that seem to be happening yearly. State leaders have politized flooding mitigation. There are still homes across Houston that are still inhabitable from Hurricane Harvey, this is egregious. We have to fund more flooding projects so our homes- most families’ largest investment- can be protected during the ever-occurring once in a lifetime natural disasters. Climate change is real and we must be prepared for the future and the unpredictable weather.
- Public education is the foundation of our society, and it’s under attack from Republicans. From book banning, rewriting history, underpaying our teachers, and trying to defund our schools, SD 15 needs a fighter to stand up and fight for our communities. We must protect public education from voucher schemes and work to ensure all children receive an excellent education regardless of their zip code.”
Click on the candidates’ profile pages below to read their full responses to this and other questions.
We ask all federal, state, and local candidates with profiles on Ballotpedia to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Ask the candidates in your area to fill out the survey.
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