Texas is holding elections, including for municipal offices and school boards, on Nov. 7, 2023. A number of candidates running in these elections completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office.
Below is a selection of responses from the candidates who filled out the survey as of Oct. 31. To read each candidate’s full responses, click his or her name at the bottom of the article.
Incumbent Ann Williams (nonpartisan) is running for Alief Independent School District, Position 3, and the general election is on Nov. 7. Here’s how Williams responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
“SAFETY: … we must continue our demand that the state fund safety mandate for safer schools.
SCHOOL FUNDING: I am passionate about public policies that are related to education and health and human services. …
MENTAL HEALTH … If the state will not fund or make this a priority, I will call on law-maker to provide solutions that will help school district fill in the gaps.
SOCIAL ECONOMICS: … I will continue my efforts to ensure we discount the noise and political rhetoric and that the focus for public education stays on what matters – OUR CHILDREN.”
Click here to read the rest of Williams’ answers.
Ethan Michelle Ganz (nonpartisan) is running for Houston City Council At-large Position 3, and the general election is on Nov. 7. Here’s how Ganz responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
“Defending Democracy
Housing Accessibility
Improving our Infrastructure
Effective and Reliable Transportation
Resourcing Communities and Public Safety
Rescuing Loose Dogs.”
Click here to read the rest of Ganz’s answers.
Mikela Levi (nonpartisan) is running for Aldine Independent School District, Position 7, and the general election is on Nov. 7. Here’s how Levi responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
“Education.”
Click here to read the rest of Levi’s answers.
Patrice Melancon (nonpartisan) is running for an at-large seat of the San Antonio River Authority Bexar County, and the general election is on Nov. 7. Here’s how Melancon responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
“I’m interested in leveraging my capabilities to help ensure we are spending our public monies in the most efficient and effective way that we can when it comes to providing a safe, clean, and enjoyable San Antonio River.”
Click here to read the rest of Melancon’s answers.
Jill Metcalfe (nonpartisan) is running for Aldine Independent School District, Position 1, and the general election is on Nov. 7. Here’s how Metcalfe responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
“Careers in education are more challenging today than they were previously, and the retirement requirements have changed too. A recent study shows that Texas ranks 50th in quality of retirement for new educators entering into the field of education. This coupled with the Windfall Elimination Provision is going to make it hard to recruit and retain teachers in Texas.
I would like to see the Windfall Elimination Provision repealed, and I would like to see some changes to TRS.”
Click here to read the rest of Metcalfe’s answers.
If you’re a Texas candidate or incumbent, click here to take the survey. The survey contains over 30 questions, and you can choose the ones you feel will best represent your views to voters. If you complete the survey, a box with your answers will display on your Ballotpedia profile. Your responses will also populate the information that appears in our mobile app, My Vote Ballotpedia.
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