2016 primary voters guide

7/25/2019 2016 Primary Voters Guide

1/28

VOTERS

League of Woman Votersof the San Antonio Area

EARLY VOTING STARTS FEB. 16, POLLS OPEN 7 AM TO 7 PM ON ELECTION DAY

Anonpartisan

An impartial guide tohelp voters make informed decisions

in the March 1, 2016 joint primary election

An impartial guide tohelp voters make informed decisions

in the March 1, 2016 joint primary election

VOTERS

GUIDE


2/28

Early voting times and places for March 1 primary

Te League of Women Voters of the San Antonio area wishes to thank the fol-lowing contributors to the League of Women Voters exas Ed Fund a 501(c)(3)corporation that is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations,and foundations. Linda Allen, Leslye Altemeier, , Evelyn Bonavita, Virginia and

Charles Bowden, Darlene Clements, Sue Robertson Dodd, John Howard, MaryAnne Kramer, Patricia McGuire, Corinna McKenzie, Arlis Olson, William C.Owens, Jr., San Antonio Area Foundation, Rose Sinkin rust, Norma Vick, Mar-ty Whitehead, Zimenes Associates.

Teir contributions make it possible to publish a Voters Guide for the SanAntonio Area. If you would like to help support future voters guides, you canmail your tax deductible contribution made payable to LWV-X Ed Fund toLWVSAA, 106 Auditorium Circle, Ste. 120, San Antonio, X 78205. Our Website is www.lwvsanantonio.org.

2016 League o Women Voters o exas Education Fund www.lwvtexas.org

Thanks

forSupport

About This Voters GuideTis Voters Guide is unded and published by theLeague o Women Voters o exas Education Fund. Formore than 90 years, helping voters cast an inormedvote when they go to the polls has been the primarygoal o the League o Women Voters. As a nonpartisanorganization that encourages inormed and active

participation in government, the League believes thatall o us are stakeholders in Making Democracy Work.Neither the League nor the Education Fund supports oropposes any political party or candidate.Questionnaireswere sent to candidates in races that are contested withinthe same party.

Candidate replies are printed without editing orverification. Due to space restrictions, candidateswere given strict word limits. Replies exceeding theword limit are indicated by slashes (///). Candidateswere also asked to avoid reerences to their opponents.Candidates appearing with no photo ailed to submit

one.Tis Voters Guide is organized by office, withcandidates listed by party and state ballot order whereavailable. Ballot order may vary rom county tocounty. Te names o unopposed candidates are alsolisted.

Early Voting Times

Feb. 16 thru Feb. 19 ............................. 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.Feb. 20 ....................................................8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.Feb. 21 ................................................12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m.Feb. 22 thru Feb. 26 ............................. 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

BROOKHOLLOW LIBRARY ............. .................. 30 Heimer Road

CLAUDE BLACK CENER ......................... 2805 East CommerceCODY LIBRARY ....... ..................................... 11441 Vance JacksonCONVERSE CIY HALL ................................... ... 405 S. Seguin RdCOPERNICUS COMMUNIY CENER ............... 5003 Lord RdEAS CENRAL ISD ADMIN BUILG

6634 New Sulphur Springs RdENCINO BRANCH LIBRARY ................... .... 2515 East Evans RdFAIR OAKS RANCH CIY HALL .................. 7286 Dietz ElkhornGREA NORHWES LIBRARY ......................... 9050 WellwoodHENRY A. GUERRA, JR. LIBRARY .......... 7978 W Military DriveJOHN IGO LIBRARY ............................. 13330 Kyle Seale ParkwayJOHNSON LIBRARY ................................. 6307 Sun Valley DriveJULIA YAES SEMMES LIBRARY ..................... 15060 Judson RdLAS PALMAS LIBRARY ................ .................... 515 Castroville Rd

LEON VALLEY CIY HALL .......................... ..... 6400 El Verde RdLIONS FIELD .................................. ......................... 2809 BroadwayMAURY MAVERICK, JR. LIBRARY ................. 8700 Mystic ParkMCCRELESS LIBRARY .......................................... 1023 Ada StreetMEMORIAL LIBRARY ............................................... 3222 CulebraMISSION LIBRARY .......................................... 3134 Roosevelt AveNORHSIDE ACIVIY CENER ......................... 7001 Culebra

OLMOS CIY HALL .............................................. 120 El Prado WPARMAN LIBRARY@Stone Oak .............. 20735 Wilderness OakPRECINC 1 SAELLIE OFFICE .......... ........... 3505 PleasantonSHAVANO PARK CIY HALL (LOBBY) ......... 900 Saddletree CtSOMERSE HIGH SCHOOL ... 7650 South 1604 West, SomersetSOUH PARK MALL ............... .......................... 2310 S.W. MilitaryOBIN LIBRARY @OAKWELL ................. 4134 Harry WurzbachUNIVERSAL CIY CIY HALL ........ 2150 Universal City BlvdWINDCRES AKAS PARK CIVIC CENER ... 8601 MidcrownWONDERLAND MALL OF AMERICAS .... 4522 Fredericksburg

subject to changeFor more inormation contact the office o the Bexar CountyElections Administrator, Jacquelyn F. Callanen, at (210) 335-8635


3/28

Hillary ClintonRoque Rocky De La FuenteCalvis L. Hawes

Keith JuddStar LockeMartin J. OMalleyBernie SandersWillie L. Wilson

Each representative serves a two-year term, must be atleast 25 years old and must be a resident of Texas and aUS citizen for at least seven years. Constitutionally dele-gated powers of the house are origination of revenue bills,initiation of impeachment proceedings, and authorizationto elect the president when a tie or lack of majority existsin the electoral college.

Questions for CandidatesBackground:Please describe the combination of education, moti-vation and experience that qualifies you for this office.Immigration:What is your position on immigration reform? Whatrole should the U.S. play in accepting refugees? Please explain.Economic Health: What would you do to improve our economichealth, with specific reference to minimum wage, infrastructureand equal pay? Please be specific.

Job Growth:What would you propose to stimulate job growth in

this country: Explain how your proposal would actually create jobs.

District 20

Joaquin Castro,Unopposed

District 21

Tom Wakely

Background: Education: Alamo Heights High School LorettoHeights College Chicago Teological Seminary. I am not a politi-cian. Tough I was elected to the Lake Geneva Wisconsin HighSchool School Board over 20 yrs. ago. I am a hospice caregiver.Immigration:We need to bring the millions o undocumentedworkers out o the shadow economy. I support permanent resi-dence status or any undocumented worker who has lived in theUS continually or 5 years. A path to citizenship would ollow. Ibelieve the US should continue accepting reugees under currentguidelines. I worked with many Bosnian Muslim reugees aferthe war as they resettled in the Austin area. Te process tookyears or them to be vetted beore being allowed to enter thecountry. Te process worked then and it still works today; it is byar the most difficult way to enter the US.Economic Health: My wie & I run a small business - a VA Medi-

cal Foster Home and Hospice and I know how important it is to

control costs. Tat said, I support an increase in the minimumwage to $15.00 an hour because it is the right thing to do. Womenmake 82 cents or every dollar men make doing the exact samejob. I believes this wage gap is wrong and would support anylegislation to help women secure equal pay. Our roads, bridges,dams, grids, and more are in need o immediate repair. I supporta modern day version o the 1930s Work Progress Administra-tion to create jobs and rebuild America.

Job Growth:Climate Change is an Economic Disaster waiting

to happen. i our policymakers and business leaders dont actaggressively to adapt to the changing climate our nations & ourstates economy will be hard hit. ransitioning toward a complete-ly nuclear-ree, ossil uel ree clean energy system or electricity,heating, and transportation is not only possible and affordable itwill create millions o good jobs. exas can and should becomethe nations leader in clean energy just as it once was the worldsenergy leader when oil & natural gas were king.

Tejas Vakil

Background: Education: - MS, Computer Science, Illinois Inst oechnology, Chicago - MBA, Marketing & MIS, Uni o Iowa - BS,Chemical Engg, Uni o Madras, India, Experience: - 35+ years intechnology business as large company executive & entrepreneur;- Co-owner o commercial real-estate company.Immigration:I support comprehensive reorm that providesborder security against illegal immigrants & potential terrorists,while allowing in skilled legal immigrants. I would provide a pathto legal status to the 11 million illegals already in the country,assuming they have no criminal record. We need a guest-workerprogram, with eVeriy and security checks, or seasonal work.Te US has a moral responsibility to accept reugees fleeing war& persecution, especially rom wars that we influenced in someway. All reugees have to go through stringent security checks.

Economic Health:We need to reduce the national debt and reeup monies to invest in inrastructure, domestic programs, andsecurity. o do this, I will reduce taxes to spur growth while in-troducing a consumption tax to pay down the debt. I support theEarned Income ax Credit, in lieu o increasing the minimumwage. It encourages & rewards work as well as offsets ederal pay-roll and income taxes. Inrastructure spending in the US (trans-portation, communications, etc.) needs to increase to ensure thatthe nation remains competitive in the global market. I stronglysupport equal pay or equal work or women.

Job Growth:Job growth will come rom incentivizing corpora-tions and small businesses to invest in new plants and services,and rom innovation. We can enable this economic investmentvia tax cuts or both businesses & individuals. Businesses: lowercorporate tax to 20%; eliminate tax on uture oreign earnings;current oreign earnings can be repatriated at a 5% tax. Eliminatecorporate subsidies & tax loopholes. Individuals: simpliy taxcode to 2 tiers: 15% & 22%; tax capital gains as ordinary income.Both o these proposals will ree up significant capital, spur in-novation, & create jobs.

District 23

Pete P. GallegoBackground:I graduated rom Sul Ross University then earned

my law degree rom the University o exas. Afer being elected

DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES

Voters Guide 1

President

US Representative


4/28

to the state house, I established mysel as one o exas most e-ective legislators by always being willing to put people ahead opolitics.Immigration:I have always been a strong advocate or compre-hensive immigration reorm. We can en-orce our laws but do it reasonably. Crafingan immigration system that keeps us saewhile also quickly screening reuges is notdifficult, it simply requires Congress to stop

playing politics with immigration.Economic Health: I believe people dontwant hand-outs, they want tools to getahead in this new economy. Tose include an increased mini-mum wage, equal pay or equal work, improved workorcetraining and the ability to save or retirement. And we cannotcontinue to shortchange our education system.

Job Growth:In this new economy innovation creates jobs. Inno-vation is a product o education. I we properly und our educa-tion system, put real resources into workorce training and allowworkers to transer earned retirement benefits between jobs wecan have an immediate and direct impact both creating jobs andstimulating the economy.

Lee Keenen

Background: 15 years ago I chose to become a medical proes-sional and serve the needs o others. I attended the University oNorth Carolina at Wilmington beore going on to emple Uni-versity or podiatric medicine and surgery. 6 years ago I chose tomove to Del Rio, exas and serve the border community.Immigration: Immigration reorm must be progressive and acomprehensive plan is needed that will protect Americas econo-my without completely closing our borders. Te US should regu-late the influx o reugees by making the saety o our citizens the

primary concern and thoroughly screeningall those seeking reuge.Economic Health: I would regulate wagesto ensure that both men and women re-ceive equal pay. I support an incrementalincrease o the national minimum wage toallow or the market to adjust without hav-ing a detrimental effect on the economy byputting an immediate heavy burden on businesses. Inrastruc-ture improvements will require allocation o tax unds or thatpurpose and a mandatory maintenance schedule.

Job Growth: I believe in promoting jobs that can sustain astandard amily unit on a single income. I am committed to thelocal community and local business partnerships. I will partnerwith the each communities economic development corporation.By providing matching unds or local economic developmentcorporations that know the local business environment this willallow or the creation o sustainable jobs.

District 28

Henry Cuellar No Response

William R. Hayward

Background: Finishing Doctoral Degree in Christianity and

Leadership, gcu.edu; Masters Degree in Electronics Engineer-ing echnology ASU, empe AZ; and BS Devry, Irving exas.Background: Law Enorcement, US Government Contractor,problem solver, traveled/lived/worked (SEA, SWA, CaribbeanIslands,///Immigration: Secure US Borders; Islamic errorist, drug deals,Fence, Sensors, Cameras. Free movement o all border cross-ings, a scan photo ID Card (Fingerprint/ DNA data tied to allPassports), Criminals are sent back home, Vent all Reuges, ake

ime out to change Citizenship or all Immigrants (time limit,read/write English, job/work, and testing), make easy immigra-tion path (US military, Collage Degree)///Economic Health: Set up good payingjobs. What is needed more jobs wage meetexperience that rises over time. Equal payor all based on experience not US Govern-ment intervention. Raising minimum wagecauses job loss, Tereore push or wageincreases and equal pay by lowering taxes,company ree training, and education. Work with colleges andtread schools or ree training and job placement. Repeal ObamaCare!

Job Growth: Once US Border, enced, secure and sae. Use taxincentives and education to open more border jobs on USAside. Factory and Small business given tax breaks, Make cross-ing border easy with ID Card so to open more tourist. Moreinvest incentives or training and salary increase by ree marketbusiness. Give banks incentives to loan money to Small business.Remove Islamic errorist and drug dealers.

District 35

Lloyd Doggett, Unopposed

6-year term. Must be at least 25 years old, a Texasresident, and a registered voter. Regulates the oil & gasindustry, gas utilities, pipeline safety, safety in the liqueed

petroleum gas industry, & surface coal and uraniummining in Texas.

Lon Burnam, No ResponseCody Garrett, No Response

Grady Yarbrough, No Response

6-year term. Must be age 35-74 years, a U.S. citizen,a Texas resident, licensed to practice law in Texas, aregistered voter, & have 10 years experience as a lawyeror judge. Hears nal appeals of decisions on civil cases

& attorney discipline, issues writs of mandamus/habeascorpus, & conducts proceedings for removal of judges.

Place 3

Mike Westergren, Unopposed

2 Voters Guide

Railroad Commissioner

Justice, TX Supreme Court


5/28

Place 5

Dori Contreras Garza, Unopposed

Place 9

Savannah Robinson, Unopposed

6-year term. Must be age 35-74 years, a U.S. citizen,a Texas resident, licensed to practice law in Texas, aregistered voter, & have 10 years experience as a lawyeror judge. Reviews all death penalty cases & applicationsfor habeas corpus in felony cases, hears nal appeals on

criminal cases, & administers publicly funded judicial andattorney education.

Place 2

Lawrence Larry Meyers, Unopposed

Place 5

Betsy Johnson, Unopposed

Place 6

Robert Burns, Unopposed

6-year term. Must be age 35-74 years, a U.S. citizen,

a Texas resident, licensed to practice law in Texas, aregistered voter, & have 10 years experience as a lawyeror judge. Hears appeals on civil and criminal cases fromlower courts in its district.

Place 6

Irene Rios, Unopposed

4-year term. Must be 26 years old or older, a U.S. citizen,a Texas/district resident, & a registered voter. Setspolicies & standards for Texas public schools & overseesthe Texas Permanent School Fund.

District 5

Rebecca Bell-Metereau, Unopposed

State Senators are elected for four-year terms of of-fice. One-half of the Senate membership is electedevery two years. They must be a citizen of the United

States, a qualified Texas voter, and at least 26 years

old. He or she must also have been a resident of thestate for five years and a resident of the district forone year immediately preceding the election for whichshe or he was chosen. The Texas Senate, like the U.S. Senate, has advise and consent powers. Thismeans they are required to approve certain executiveactions.

Questions for Candidates

Background:Please describe the combination of education,motivation and experience that qualifies you for this office.Child Protective Services:What are the issues of the ChildProtective Services program that you consider most urgent?(For example, early intervention, budget, caseloads, etc.)Social Issues: hese topics are of concern to exas citizens.Please discuss your view on: voting, guns, sexual discrimina-tion, access to healthcare, and ensuring that all children inexas are well-educated.Redistricting: he Legislature currently draws the districtlines determining our voting districts (redistricting). Wouldyou support a Citizens Independent Redistricting Commissionat the State level? Why or why not?

District 19

Carlos I. Uresti, No Response

Helen Madla

Background: I am a mother, a grandmother, a school boardmember, and wie o the late Senator Frank L. Madla. I iledor exas Senate Dist. 19 because o my commitment toquality education, and to improving the economy and trans-portation inrastructure in our district.

Child Protective Services:I believe the entire Child Pro-tective Services program is broken.oo oten heavy caseloads and budgetconstraints prevent CPS rom being ableto do the critical early intervention sobadly needed in many cases. We need toensure adequate unding as well as leg-islation to make complainants account-able to prevent alse accusations thatdrain resources rom cases truly in need o attention.Social Issues: odays status quo on these issues pose aserious threat to women, children and the uture o exas.We must increase voter participation to change our statespriorities and ensure equal pay, access to healthcare andproperly unded schools or all exans. Although recentVoter ID laws have made voting more challenging, turningout to vote remains the single most eective way to createchange.Redistricting: Yes. he current system or redistricting ishighly political and partisan. In act, my precinct and Iare a perect example. My opponent, the incumbent sena-tor, attempted to draw me out o the current Senate dis-trict because o concerns he would ace me as challenger.Fortunately, my opponent mistakenly drew a neighboringprecinct out o the district thinking he had achieved his

goal.

Voters Guide 3

State Senator

Judge, TX Court ofCriminal Appeasl

4TH Court of Appeals

Member, State Board of Education


6/28

District 21

Judith Zarini, Unopposed

District 26

Jose Menendez

Background: Te son o immigrants, I grew up working in the

amily business and learning the values o hard work and giv-ing back to the community. I served on the Planning & Zon-ing Commission, two terms on City Council, and 15 years as aleader in the exas House where I was themost effective at passing bills.Child Protective Services:Early inter-vention is key, but we cannot begin tointervene without adequate staffing andoversight. I was proud to vote this sessionto increase unding or CPS, includingearly intervention. Te agency continuesto struggle with retention issues that willrequire the Legislature to dedicate additional unding in thenext session to increase wages, reduce caseloads, and improveoversight.Social Issues: Troughout my career I have worked on legisla-tion to protect voting rights and make registering and votingeasier and accessible. Te campus carry bill that was allowed topass in the House threatens our college students saety at schooland I will work to repeal it. I oppose all orms o discriminationand have specifically worked to pass bills to make equal pay thelaw o the land in exas.Redistricting: Yes! Communities o interest--including indi-vidual neighborhoods--are being split apart in order to achievepolitical goals. An independent commission can operate without

the influence o incumbents or partisan motivation and giveus districts that make sense. I helped stop om Delays illegalredistricting in 2003, and Ill continue to make an impact or airredistricting.

Trey Martinez-Fischer

Background: Growing up in San Antonio, I learned the value oa good education and the power o one voice to make a differ-ence. I have served 15 years in the exas House and Chair theMexican American Legislative Caucus (MALC). I graduatedrom U San Antonio and U Law School and have practicedlaw since 1998.Child Protective Services:A U.S. District Court recently oundthat the exas oster care system exposed children to unreason-able risk o harm and cited impossibleworkloads or employees. Te most effec-tive tool we have to right these wrongs isto invest in our children and the agenciesthat serve them. We cannot overload andunderpay caseworkers without seriouslyaffecting quality o care and endangeringchildren.Social Issues: Im proud to fight against harmul legislation -rom attacks on voters rights like Voter ID to gun legislation

like open-carry and campus-carry; and support measures to

fight sexual discrimination. Te uture o exas depends uponthe health and education o its people. I will continue to fight ora ully-unded, equitable public education system and to makehealthcare accessible to all exansRedistricting: Te Mexican American Legislative Caucus provedin court that the redistricting maps drawn by Republican legisla-tors were intentionally discriminatory against minorities, not theresult o gerrymandering. Instead o a Redistricting Commis-sion, a better course o action is to continue the current litiga-

tion and let the Federal Court determine voter discriminationand impose an appropriate remedy.

State representatives are elected for a two-yearterm. They must be a citizen of the United States, aqualied Texas voter, and at least 21 years old. He or

she must also have been a resident of the state for twoyears and a resident of the district for one year imme-diately preceding the election in which she or he waschosen. All bills that increase taxes or raise revenuefor the state originate in the House of Representatives.

Questions for CandidatesBackground:Please describe the combination of education,motivation and experience that qualifies you for this office.Child Protective Services:What are the issues of the ChildProtective Services program that you consider most urgent?(For example, early intervention, budget, caseloads, etc.)Social Issues: hese topics are of concern to exas citizens.Please discuss your view on: voting, guns, sexual discrimina-tion, access to healthcare, and ensuring that all children inexas are well-educated.Redistricting: he Legislature currently draws the district lines

determining our voting districts (redistricting). Would you sup-port a Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission at theState level? Why or why not?

District 116

Martin Golando

Background:As a ather, I am deeply concerned about theexas that our children and grandchildren will inherit. Fora decade, I worked in the exas House o Representativesdeveloping the experience necessary to make an immedi-ate impact or San Antonio. I am prepared to lead and I willprotect San Antonio.Child Protective Services:his legisla-ture has turned a blind eye to the needso children in crisis or too long. Mosturgently, we need to adopt an early inter-vention model that allows caseworkers,and i necessary, police oicers immedi-ate access to at-risk children. Casework-ers need all the tools available, including criminal enorce-ment, to ensure the saety o all children at risk or abuse.Social Issues: Voting Rights - I am a voting rights attorneywho has worked to protect minority voting rights in the court

room and in the legislature. I elected, I will look to make

4 Voters Guide

State Representative


7/28

voting easier, less costly, and ensure that al l exans haveaccess to the ballot. Guns - Recently, extremist Republicanshave adopted ill-advised gun laws that will place all exans atrisk. I will work to repeal those laws.Redistricting: Independent redistricting commissions arerarely truly independent and some have a very poor recordor protecting minority voting rights. I cannot support anyelection change that dilutes minority voting strength. But, Iam certainly open to a commission that enhances minority

voting rights.

Diana Arevalo

Background:My motivation is my neighbors, the healthcare Iknow they are denied, the unding our students and teach-ers have lost, and the resources we need to move orward.Ater completing my Masters at Our Lady o the Lake, I haveserved on numerous boards and commissions in the SanAntonio community.Child Protective Services:While I recognize that there aremany issues with Child Protective Ser-vices, the root o the problem is that theAgency is underunded. Our caseworkershave a caseload that doesnt allow themthe time to ensure early, proactive stepsand ollow up can be completed. his iswhy so many o these kids all throughthe cracks o the system. We must investin the children o exas.Social Issues: I believe we need to make voting more conve-nient and accessible. I am opposed to open carry on campus-es and believe we need to ensure all open carry laws maintaina high standard o background checks. I strongly believe inequal pay or equal work. Access to healthcare begins with

accepting Federal unding. Lastly, we need to restore educa-tion unding to provide the resources our educators need.Redistricting: I support a Citizens Independent RedistrictingCommission at the state level whose primary responsibility isto draw a plan or state legislative districts. However, I wouldwant to see a bi-partisan commission whose policies and pro-cedures are developed using lessons learned rom other statescurrently using the process.

Ruby Resendez

Background:Beore starting my own graphic design busi-ness, I worked as a customer relations specialist or localprinting company. here, I learned howto develop innovated ideas to solve prob-lems. I hold a degree in accounting romthe University o exas, giving me a com-prehensive understanding o budgeting.Child Protective Services:A recent reportrevealed X is not providing the mosteffective statewide case management andresponse to addressing children with the highest o needs.Our priority should always be or the saety and well being othe children, whether that means reducing caseloads or CPSworkers or concentrating more on finding permanent residen-

cy or these children. Teir uture is in our hands.

Social Issues: As a democrat, I stand or democratic prin-ciples and values including expanding access to healthcare,properly unding public education, protecting the votingrights act, providing equal opportunity or everyone, main-tain unding crit ical womans health (such as Planned Parent-hood), and reducing gun violence. As state representative Iwill advocate and work or these important issues.Redistricting: I am open to considering new, airer ways odrawing the lines during redistricting. A Citizens Indepen-

dent Redistricting Commission would be ideal, however, themembers o the commission must be selected through anopen and transparent process that enables ull public consid-eration and comment. In addition, this commission shouldrelect the diversity o the state.

District 117

Philip Cortez,Unopposed

District 118

Tomas Uresti,No Response

Gabe Farias

Background:State Rep. candidate Gabe Farias is a proudproduct o District 118 and currently serves as the Presi-dent and CEO o the West San AntonioChamber o Commerce, a post he hasheld since 2012. Prior to his work at theChamber he served as the Chie o Staor ormer Councilwoman JennierRamos.Child Protective Services:As a

proud adoptive ather o two beauti-ul children that were a part o the CPS system, I have atremendous amount o respect or the hard work done.he department however is underunded and the sensi-tive caseload is excessive or the hard working employees.Working to utilize the budgetary dollars let on the tableollowing last session ($2.9B) or more caseworkers is a toppriority.Social Issues: I will oppose any voter ID laws that disen-ranchise elderly and minority voters in this State. I am asupporter o the 2nd amendment, but do not support openor campus carry in this State. I will ile and support legis-lation that creates protections against any discriminationin this State. I believe in providing necessary unding orneeded healthcare programs and or public education.Redistricting: I will only support a citizens independentredistricting commission i and only i the selection pro-cess is air and inclusive o all ethnicities, genders, politi-cal ailiations and is a direct representation o the de-mographic in each quadrant o exas regardless o votinghistory. he current redistricting process is discriminatoryand does not currently relect the diversity o this state.

District 119

Roland Gutierrez, UnopposedVoters Guide 5


8/28

District 120

Lou Miller

Background:Lou Miller was appointed to the Alamo RegionalMobility Authority Board o Directors. Rotary InternationalDistrict Governor o District 5840 or 2015-16. Appointed tothe Alamo Regional Mobility Authority Board o Directors Hasserved as Director o Community Relations

or the City o San AntonioChild Protective Services:Response tocritical situations should be made public.Te data collected on the abuse and deathsshould be analyzed and acted upon. Temanagement o CPS needs to be restruc-tured. More unding would not solve theproblem alone, improved oversight is necessary.Social Issues: Improving voter participation through electronicmeans. Ban assault weapons. Equal pay or equal work and notrestrict people rom loving who they want. Expand Medicarein exas. Provide teachers an environment that allows them toteach the kids, not just test them.Redistricting: Im in avor o an Independent RedistrictingCommission drawing the lines to protect the voting rights byall citizens not by partisan power. All citizens should be repre-sented.

Latronda Darnell,No Response

Barbara Gervin-Hawkins

Background: Education: BA in Business, MEd in Education, 2/3complete on PhD-Leadership, School Principal, Math eacher

Motivation: Improve the quality o lie or people most in need.Elevating the political conversation Experience: 25 year CEO,created 200 jobs, management, resource developer,///Child Protective Services:Early interven-tion and prevention initiatives, expandresources to ensure proper unding to re-duce caseloads and create a higher level omonitoring and oversight, review laws andpolicies that impact the system, childrenand amilies, advocate or common senselegislationSocial Issues: Protection o voting rights ensuring accessibility,proper representation o the people, re-examine gun laws ocus-ing on type o guns accessible to individuals and reconsiderationo open carry on college campuses, sexual discrimination shouldbe eliminated, access to affordable healthcare, educationalsystem should be properly unded and strategically effective tomeet the needs o all studentsRedistricting: Yes, because citizens are directly impacted theyshould have input into a system that impacts their lives and wholeads them.

Art Hall

Background: Harvard U, exas ech Law/Business, U o Wales; at-

torney, investment banker, administrator at La Universidad Espiritu

Santo (Ecuador), St Marys Law, St Philips, now Alamo Colleges;worked or US Senator, Massachusetts Governor, exas SupremeCourt Chie Justice; elected to District 8 City Council.Child Protective Services:We must protect the most vulnerable inour society, particularly seniors and children. CPS investigates neglectand abuse, provides abuse/neglect prevention,and oversees child care regulation. I supportincreasing oster care, increasing adoptionsubsidies and permanency care assistance

payments, increasing agency staffing reducingcaseloads, and increasing prevention and earlyintervention.Social Issues: Voting accurate, easy, accessible.Balance right to bear arms with common good o public health, sae-ty, no guns in wrong hands. All should be treated equally, althoughmarriage between a man/ woman is biblical/ religious institution.Quality healthcare affordable, available to all. Quality public schools,no unding reductions. High expectations or teachers, students. Sup-port community colleges.Redistricting:Yes. Redistricting in hands o politicians ofen resultsin unairgerrymandering, not reflective o demographic changes. Isupport Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission. However,i members not chosen properly and not truly unbiased and/or inde-pendent, partisanship that exists in State government can transer tocommissions. Stacking commissions is no better than partisanship.

Mario Salas

Background:I was a City Councilman and Vice-President o theJudson School Board. I am a retired proessor. Te State o exasneeds a strong advocate that can address many issues includingexcessive taxing o our seniors, increasing teacher salaries, end-ing abuse in nursing homes and children in oster care.Child Protective Services:Intervention

is important as well as the unds neededto protect our children. Tose that haveabused children must be held accountableand a sufficient number proessionallytrained staff must be on each case. Staffingwill be a major issue in handling the heavycaseloads that is a problem across the state.CPS must protect our children and prevent alse charges romvictimizing the innocent.Social Issues: I ully support womens rights and equal pay orequal work. Te economic disparities that exist between menand women must be eliminated. As your State RepresentativeI will support efforts to prevent voter suppression and supportState extension o Medicaid payments. I will fight or ull-dayschooling or Pre-K students and oppose the existing open carrygun law.Redistricting: Yes, I would support this because or too long Re-publican partisan interests have Gerrymandered political linesdisenranchising the principle o one person-one vote. As longas there is no political competition in the state, at the legislativelevel, we will always be tied up in court, wasting precious taxpayer dollars. An independent body must truly be independent.

Byron Miller Educator

Background:Raised to served:certified resident o District 120

6 Voters Guide


9/28

w/Bachelors Degree; background in Law; corporate experience;business owner; extensive service to community serving onvarious Boards and committees at state & local level; JP Judge &elected 9yrs elected official; curator o Bexar Co. Juneteenth///Child Protective Services:We must do all that we can to supportthe noble and thankless job o the caseworks who are our bootson the ground in CPS. Tey are overwhelmed, overworked andunder paid to be the advocate and consid-ered both good guy and the bad guy. Tey

have a tough job thats not getting easier.Te high turn-over rates tell the story andCPS suffers everyday because o this crisis.Social Issues: Education is No 1; Im orree Community Colleges in exas, SecondAmendment grants the right to bare armsin order to orm a militia. I believe in baring arms or protec-tion o sel, property and country. exas and America must findour way to protect ourselves against ourselves. Meaning streetviolence is way out o hand. All humans deserve the right to ac-cessible Healthcare, regardless o costRedistricting: I would have to see what an independent citizenscommission looks like. I similar to picking Grand Juries thenno, I would not be in support o that. Equal representation hasbeen historically lef out. However, the legislature being diverse(although with some ault) has attempted to be inclusive al-though, that inclusiveness has been marginalized by politics so,hold the legislators accountable.

District 123

Diego Bernal, Unopposed

District 124

Ina Minjarez

Background: Im a Notre Dame and St. Marys Law School alum.Former prosecutor with a private practice representing amilies,children in CPS custody, and small businesses. My backgroundas an attorney prepared me or the Legislature, and I proved mytalent this past session in only 30 days time.Child Protective Services: Te most urgentproblem acing Child Protective Servicesis the excessive caseload per caseworker,which reflects a shortage o talented case-workers helping our kids. CPS needs moreunding, stronger accountability standardsand oversight, and a better method otracking each child through and out o thesystem.Social Issues: Lawmakers should not ocus on making it harderor people to vote. I support the 2nd amendment with back-ground checks. I dont support open carry. All types o discrimi-nation, including against women, are wrong. I support expand-ing Medicaid & womens access to care. Our public schools arewoeully underunded. Every child has right to an equitablyunded education, no matter where they live.Redistricting: I support efforts or more citizens participation

in our government. Unortunately, because o the history o

disenranchisement in this state, I am currently against creatinga Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission withoutknowing how the commissioners would be appointed. We mustdevelop a process that is open and transparent that allows orpublic input.

Sergio Contreras, No Response

District 125

Justin Rodriguez, Unopposed

Judges are elected to four-year terms. District courts haveoriginal jurisdiction in all felony criminal cases, divorcecases, land title disputes, election contests, civil mattersin which at least $200 is disputed or claimed in damages,as well as other matters. Most district courts consider bothcriminal and civil cases but, in counties with many courts,each may specialize in civil, criminal, juvenile, or familylaw matters

Questions for CandidatesBackground: Please describe the combination of education,motivation and experience that qualifies you for this office.

Most Pressing Problem: What is the most pressing problem facingthis court and how do you propose to handle these issues?Election Process: Do you believe changes in the current electionprocess are needed to improve or maintain impartiality, given theneed to raise funds for political campaigns? Please explain.

37th Judicial District

Michael Mery, Unopposed


Antonia Toni Arteaga

Background: My 10 years o judicial experience make meuniquely qualified to continue to serve in my 3rd term as yourJudge o the 57th District Court. My com-mitment to protect our children motivatesme to work hard both inside & outside thecourts. Graduate o St. Marys School oLaw & University o exas.

Most Pressing Problem: Te most pressingproblem involves children in crisis, includ-ing those children involved in custodydisputes. o limit the traumatization o children, advocates mustwork to decrease the level o animosity between their parents/caregivers, esp. inside the courts when possible. oward thisend, both parents with their attorneys may always ask to speakdirectly to me, albeit inside the courtroom.Election Process: Tose who contribute, I believe, simply want alevel playing field, a air hearing and thus support those judgesthat provide them this. As the 1st woman ever elected to thisbench (created in 1899), I am honored to receive support rom

across party lines. In act, I am unopposed in Novembers gen-

Voters Guide 7

District Judge


10/28

eral election. I am Judge Antonia oni Arteaga, and I respect-ully ask or your vote!

Edward L. Pina

Background: Graduated ulane University in 1978 Bachelor oArts; St. Marys University in 1984 Juris Doctorate; Mediationcertification in 2014 Harvard University.Tirty years o courtroom experience.

President, ACLU, San Antonio 1996-2002.More than 15 published exas Bar Journalarticles, law reviews, etc.

Most Pressing Problem: Tere are 13 BexarCounty civil district courts. In 2014 therewere only 45 trials to verdict and 42 jurytrials to verdict in 2013. Tis comes to about 3.3 jury trials toverdict per district court. Tis is a symptom o infirmity in ourcourt system. I believe it means, in part, that lawyers and thepublic are losing confidence in our judges to render cost effec-tive and reliable verdicts.Election Process: We currently have airly extensive campaignfinance disclosure requirements or judicial candidates. Limitson campaign contributions however are based on voluntaryrestrictions agreed to by each candidate.

73rdJudicial District

David A. Canales, Unopposed

131st Judicial District

Norma Gonzales

Background: Graduate Rice (1981), U.. Law (1984). Practiced

law or 31 years. ried over 100 jury trials & thousands o non-jury trials. Practiced amily law or 20 years which are the typeso cases the court hears. Am an adjunct proessor, St. Marys LawSchool (1999). Committed to justice

Most Pressing Problem: Citizens o Bexar County need anexperienced judge. I have practiced or 31 years, almost twiceas long as my my opponents combined (5& 11). I have represented children, athers,mothers, grandparents on thousands ocases. With experience comes compassion,sensitivity, open mindedness, patience,knowledge, perspective and temperamentnecessary to efficiently address the needs othe people.Election Process: Although changes would be beneficial because,without vast financial resources, raising money rom attorneyswho practice beore the court is the primary means to obtainunds to help educate the voting public, my vast experience inthe courtroom and personal high ethical standards would not beaffected by political contributions. I am AV rated by my peers:highest rating in ethical standards.

Elena Villasenor

Background: I care about the quality o our courts and the

people that come beore them. I have been a trial lawyer or 11

years, handling complex disputes rom start to finish. I know thehard work that happens beore you get to the courthouse. I am aproven community leader who will give you a air shot.

Most Pressing Problem: Te 14 Bexar County Civil Courtswork as a team to collectively handle thecivil court docket. I would like to work onimproving accessibility to and the efficiencyo our courts or those who cannot affordan attorney by assisting the staff attorneys

reviewing uncontested pro se cases andworking to expand existing programs thatprovide ree legal services.Election Process: I have reservations about electing the judi-ciary through partisan politics. Having said that, I must operatewithin the context o the existing system. I will not allow anycontribution, regardless o amount, to play a role in or influencemy judicial opinions. I will afford every attorney and every partyan equal opportunity to be heard. I will be air and impartial.

Devin Gabriel

Background: O the candidates in my race, I have had the mostdiverse law practice, involving amily matters, personal injury,contracts, employment, real estate, businesslitigation, and much more. Importantly,I have a keen understanding o the issuesaffecting children and amilies, who needto come first.

Most Pressing Problem: Te most pressingproblem affecting our district courts is themultitude o lawsuits that weigh our docketdown, preventing quick resolutions and resulting in burdensomelitigation costs or our amilies. My diverse law practice, businessmanagement experience, and knowledge about how my ather,

Judge John Gabriel, Jr., has administered the 131st allow me toeffectively keep our cases moving.Election Process: I firmly believe that unding judicial cam-paigns with monies donated by lawyers and law firms carrieswith it an inherent risk o partiality and avoritism. Toughcurrent economic realities prevent my campaign rom ollowingmy athers No Money rom Lawyers stance, I will fight to keepthe 131st unbiased, air, and ocused on justice or our amiliesand children.


Laura Salinas, Unopposed


Catherine Torres-Stahl

Background: I have been honored over 22 years to serve as aprosecutor, Municipal and District Court Judge, Deense Attor-ney and now, as Deputy Director and General Counsel or ourAdult Probation Department. Tis Court handles very seriousoffenses and this position is not a training ground or me. Imready!

Most Pressing Problem: Criminal district courts have a high vol-

8 Voters Guide


11/28

ume o cases that come through the courts. Daily dockets han-dling sentencing, motions to revoke probation and trial settingsare the most efficient way to deal with thisvolume. Additionally, we can utilize manyprograms available through our Probationdepartment to help reduce our recidivismrates and I am uniquely knowledgeableabout this programming.Election Process:I would preer another

system, however, unless there is across theboard public campaign financing, someone like mysel wouldnot have the opportunity to serve because o lack o personalwealth. Tis would affect the diversity o our benches. I recog-nize the serious ethical considerations in accepting contribu-tions and I am constantly sel-aware o the importance o thoseconsiderations.

Tony Jimenez III

Background: BA in History-LMU. Boalt Hall School o Law.County Court-at-Law Judge-9 years: Domestic&Family ViolenceCourt, Mental Health, criminal, civil, juvenile & amily lawcases. Frmr Adjunct Proessor, St.MarysSchool o Law, Night Magistrate,SpecialBexar Prosecutor 2015. See website ormore.

Most Pressing Problem: Tis court is in theprocess o establishing a specialized docketcalled the Esperanza Court. I this courtcontinues with this particular docket, I willadvance its policies and goals removing women rom the cycleo prostitution by training, education and employment. Rundockets on a set schedule with no overlap allowing the clerks,probation officers and deputies to complete tasks effectively.

Election Process: I have been an advocate or change in theprocess since the 1980s when I argued or non-partisan electiono judges and limitations o campaign unds beore an EthicsCommittee, chaired by retired Chie Justice Jack Pope. Changesare needed to insure that those seeking a judicial bench have thequalifications and fitness or the office. Judges should be electedbased on qualifications and merit.


Ron Rangel, Unopposed


Carlos Quezada

Background: Harlandale ISD Grad Palo Alto College Grad St.Marys Grad Assistant Bexar County Jury Room Bailiff. WebbCo. Assistant District Attorney in 09-14. Awarded Proessionalo the Year by the Laredo Domestic Violence Coalition. Ap-pointed Bexar Co. Special Prosecutor Elected to Harlandale ISDBoard

Most Pressing Problem: Te most pressing problem acing thejuvenile court system in Bexar County is the lack o options theJudges have. I would like to see the creation o more diversion

programs or young offenders such as a arts program that helps

graffiti offenders express themselves in a positive way. Diversionprograms help guide and rehabilitate the juvenile without a stainon their record.Election Process: I eel that the current system works well butthere is always room or improvement. Currently many cam-paign finance rules exist and urther candidates are governed bycode o judicial ethics. A good look at those rules and regula-tions will show that judicial candidates are held to a very highstandard, higher then any other office in this state.

Arcelia Trevino

Background: While raising two boys, I obtained my degreein Education, graduating Magna Cum Laude; I was inductedinto honor societies. I taught English or3 years, was a UIL coach my 1st, coachedtrack my 2nd and 3rd year. As single mom,I obtained my law degree and have ran myown law practice or a decade.

Most Pressing Problem: Drugs, gangs,drop outs, bullying, and violence are issuesbeore the juvenile court. I propose thatthe Court ocus on protecting our youth byproviding the minors beore the court the opportunity or reha-bilitation, empowering them to ocus on their education whilebeing tough and holding minor offenders o bullying, truancy,and violent offenders accountable.Election Process: Yes, incumbents evidently have establishedsupport and endorsements. It is difficult or a new candidatetrying to make a difference in the community to raise unds.Weneed to level playing field or incumbents and candidates so theycan ocus on the issues and not the money.Campaign contribu-tions should be limited or publicly financed or judicial offices tolimit the influence o campaign money.


Frank J. Castro

Background: I graduated rom St. Marys Law School in2003. I have worked at the exas Rural Legal Aid helpingwomen who were victims o domes-tic violence with their divorces. I alsoworked as a elony prosecutor anddeense attorney and have tried numer-ous jury trials involving serious injuriesand crimes.

Most Pressing Problem : I believe it isthe amount o cases being resolved in anuntimely matter. Although it is necessary to allow both theprosecutor & deense atty time to prepare their cases, manycases take too long. I am the only candidate in the Demprimary who has been both a prosecutor & a deense atty. Ibelieve this experience is invaluable in the capacity to movecases eiciently & to judge them airly.Election Process: Yes. In the past yr, a ormer Bexar Co.Judge was sentenced to ed prison or accepting bribesrom a deense atty. his same atty has also donated to myopponents campaigns in the past. Although there is noth-

ing illegal about donations rom attys, I eel this can lead to

Voters Guide 9


12/28

problems in regards to the ability to maintain impartiality.I have campaigned with my own money & will be impartialto all!

Ray J. Olivarri

Background: I have over 25 years experience in the CriminalJustice System as a probation officer, attorney and judge. I haveconducted hundreds o trials to conclusion, heard thousands o

motions and magistrate people accused o crimes. Currently thepresiding Judge o the 339th District Court.

Most Pressing Problem:Tere is a lack o inpatient acilities oroffenders with mental health needs. Te result o this contributesto the backlog o cases in criminal district courts. I will continueto work with agencies and officials to identiy gaps in the deliv-ery o these services. Closing the gaps will enable the offenderto receive appropriate care and in turn aid in their rehabilitationand reduce recidivismElection Process: My decisions on the bench are based only onthe acts and the law that apply to each case. I am in avor o anyelection process that would eliminate the need to raise unds andkeep qualified judges that are dedicated to preserving impartial-ity and public accountability.

407thJudicial District

Karen Pozza, Unopposed


Milton Fagin

Background: Attorney At Law or 42 years in San Antonio.Board Certified Family. 65% o cases are

amily law. Practiced exclusively in civilcourts my entire career. St. Marys LawSchool, Law Review, Deans List. I knowhow these Courts work, have the wisdom,maturity and experience to make correctdecisions

Most Pressing Problem: o elect the rightperson District Judge o this Court. It is imperative to have aJudge who will rule based on the case law o exas, the laws othe State o exas and the United States. Te Judge runs thisCourt not the lawyers. We must elect a person like MILON FA-GIN who will see that correct decisions are made that will affectthe lives o our residents. We must elect a Judge with experienceElection Process: Tere should be strict limitations on theamount o contributions made by lawyers and others who regu-larly appear beore the Civil District Courts, or prohibit themrom donating any money. Teir money gives the appearance oimpropriety. Te Judiciary must be ree rom outside influenceand anyone who tries to buy Justice. I believe in maintaining thehighest integrity and honesty in this Court.

Virgil Yanta

Background: 33 years o experience in a variety o case types allover exas, plus 100s o jury & nonjury trials as a Board Certified

lawyer, combined with the passion to serve & a history o service

to the downtrodden, all have given me the patience, compassion,and wisdom needed to be an outstanding jurist.

Most Pressing Problem: Access to AF-FORDABLE justice looms at the top o ourlegal systems problems. Already, I haveinitiated efforts to establish a groundbreak-ing legal clinic to provide access to thecourts to injured workers who have nowhereelse to turn, other than to our nightmarish,

overtaxed disability maze. So, law studentswould gain invaluable legal experience in helping those clients a win-win situation!Election Process: While I dream o the day when we will havepublicly unded elections, I am realistic enough to realize that mylietime long will have passed beore that happens. So, I am com-ortable taking contributions: I am confident in the knowledgethat lawyers know me well enough to realize that my integrity isbeyond cavil and that Ill always call em as I see em, regard-less o who the players are.

Angelica Jimenez

Background: Te majority o the cases heard in this court areamily law cases which is the type o law thatI practice. I know the law, the process andmore importantly I have the temperament tobe effective. I earned my JD rom St. MarysUniversity School o Law and graduated topo my class in May 2010.

Most Pressing Problem: Our presiding sys-tem is airly efficient, when sufficient judgesare available. My aim is to help develop a system where a sufficientnumber o judges are available and streamlining hearings thatcommonly come beore this court while still affording all the op-

portunity to be heard. We can work together to ease wait times tobe heard on different matters due to the occasional lack o judges.Election Process:While no system is perect, the current systemo accepting campaign contributions will not play a role in orinfluence my judicial opinions or behavior in any way. I will affordevery attorney and individual an equal opportunity to be heard inthe courtroom. Campaign contributions will have no bearing onthe judicial process, but are a reality in our current system.

Gabe Quintanilla

Background: I graduated rom the University o exas School oLaw in 1983. I have previous judicial experience, having servedas a City Magistrate rom 1992-1993. I also served as an AssistantDistrict Attorney, Assistant Attorney Gen-eral, and have litigated at all levels o court,both state and ederal.

Most Pressing Problem: All district courtshandle a high volume o cases involvingamilies in crisis. Tese consist o amiliesgoing through divorce and acing eithercustody issues, child support, visitation, orother amily issues. I would bring both experience and sensitivityto these amilies. I have represented hundreds o cases involvingthese issues during my private practice o law.

Election Process: I am troubled by the current election process

10 Voters Guide


13/28

and believe that the method o electing judges should be exam-ined and perhaps modified in exas. Currently, there are vastsums o money donated by lawyers who practice in the courts.Unortunately, the system is geared in this manner. Many times,lawyers are the only people interested in these races, outside o thecandidates riends and amilies.

Kristal Cordova Thomson

Background: I received my B.A. rom University o exas and myJ.D. rom St. Marys School o Law. I have practiced amily law orover 13 years, and I am Board Certified in Family Law. I specializein complex trial work. I teach other attorneys as a requent authorand speaker on different legal issues.

Most Pressing Problem: One o the most ig-nored, pressing problems at the courthouseis the rise o litigation where a special needschild is involved. Special needs childrenhave a whole different set o needs thanother children, and the courts need to be a-miliar with those issues. As a Mom o a childwith special needs, I could help by providinggeneral inormation or the other district court judges.Election Process: Yes. It is very difficult or judicial candidatesto run as a typical politician because o the Code o JudicialConduct. Although the judges I practice in ront o do not letcampaign contributions interere with their rulings, the public ingeneral has concerns about the process. Te perception, is thatjudge bias can be purchased with a contribution. Tis mus becorrected.


Lauro A. Bustamante

Background: 35 years practicing law, Doctorate in law degree,over 200 hours o continuing legal education A passion or lawand serving Past elected official on the Ed-wards Aquier Authority, My wie RebekahBustamante our 10 children and grandchil-dren All the above qualifies me or this office

Most Pressing Problem: My mission is touse the best legal tools and communicationstechnology to protect constitutional rightsand allow all access to the courts. My goal isserve the people by hard work, education, and compassion. Tis ismy mission and goal to handle problems acing this courtElection Process:Reorm in campaign finance is needed. Equaltime and inormation and education is needed. Organizationslike schools, tv, civic organizations should serve to improve andmaintain impartiality. Voting should be mandatory or every one.Te hope is that we elect leaders that work toward world peaceand human rights. We should all work to make the world a betterplace. I humbly ask or your vote.

Rosie Alvarado

Background: I am a trial attorney with relevant jury trial experi-ence. I have handled complex litigation in a variety o cases,

including serious personal injury, amily law, small business,

whistle-blower, police misconduct, and criminal cases. Tisexperience is important because this court is a trial court.

Most Pressing Problem: Attorneys not con-erring prior to setting cases or hearing.I would mandate an inormal pre-hearingconerence to acilitate problem-solvingconversation among the litigants in anattempt to limit and urther identiy theissues needing court intervention. Ten

require the presentment o a sworn Cer-tificate o Conerence by all parties prior to setting the case orhearing.Election Process: No. o run a competitive campaign and ensurevoters are delivered inormation about a candidates qualifica-tions it is ofen necessary to accept political contributions topay to disseminate that inormation to voters. I would, however,recommend removing judicial races rom a straight party ballot.Voters should choose their judges based on qualifications notparty affiliation.

County Court-at-Law No. 5

John A. Longoria

Background: Licensed to practice law orty-two (42) years.Served in public office over twenty-six 26 years, including three(3) as a judge. wo (2) as the Constitutional County Judge andone (1) year as County Court at Law #5 Judge. Extensive inchurch and civic activities.

Most Pressing Problem:Heavy dockets, particularly DWIcases. Solution: work hard at hearing pre-trial motions and trialavailability. Word daily at least until 5 PM including Tursdaysand Fridays. Continue to educate deendants, attorneys and the

public regarding the actual definition o intoxication. Enorceprobation conditions strictly.Election ProcessTe first and simplest change could be to makejudicial races non-partisan. It may be that judicial races could bedone separately rom the usual general elections. Justice shouldnot be colored with party politics nor should judicial races beprivately unded. Initial appointment by a non-partisan com-mission with retention elections immediately ollowing theappointment, could work.

Caitlin Howell

Background: Edu: rinity Univ. (Sum. Cum Laude), Ameri-can Univ. Washington College o Law; Pub: CombatingGender Inequities in Law School; Work: Women in the LawClinic, US Commn on Civ. Rights; Founded Law Oc. oHowell & Sabrin: criminal, amily, ap-pellate, small business; Scene in SA: opAttorney 2014-15

Most Pressing Problem: Recidivism:County Court is oten the irst t ime aperson is in a criminal court. One o mymain motivations is ensuring that thepersons irst t ime in court is the irst &last. I plan to bring underused resources such as Chrysa-

lis, Rape Crisis Center, RUI to address individual needs

Voters Guide 11


14/28

and to ensure equal & meaningul justice regardless o gen-der, race, sexual orientation, or economic status.Election Process:Yes, I think reorm o judicial campaigninance is needed. A number o people are concerned thatshould they support one candidate, the other will not treatthem airly in the uture; this, however, must be balancedagainst the need or transparency. he best way to ensureimpartial judges is to improve gathering and distributiono inormation about the candidates to inorm voters more

ully.

Questions for CandidatesBackground:Please describe the combination o education, moti-vation and experience that qualifies you or this office.Mental Health Services:Are there sufficient services or peoplewith mental health problems who are in jail? What, i anything,would you change about the handling o prisoners who may havemental health issues?Reducing Recidivism:What services would you support or whatprograms would you institute to reduce recidivism?Community Relationship:What methods would you use toimprove the relationship between the community and sheriffsdeputies?

Charles Chazz Cervantes

Background:I have 30 years o experience. Tis experienceinvolves my career in law enorcement aswell as dealing with criminals, juveniles ,youth, the general public and people withmental health issues. I have enlisted ontomy staff people who have experience,

training and certification in servicing thepublic

Mental Health Services: Tere are onlytwo major programs in Bexar County, which are NAMI andthe Center or Health Care Services. We need to budget or fi-nancial access to develop more readily available programs thatdeal with mental health issues. When arrested, people need tobe properly screened by qualified mental health experts. Tesepeople need to be placed in the correct institution.Reducing Recidivism:When it comes to Recidivism, we needto understand how recidivism negatively affects our society.Tis undamental concept that involves a persons relapse intocriminal activity, despite sanctions or interventions or previ-ous crimes, had been proven to not be effective and rather haspromoted repeat offenses. Firstly, these repeat offenses are aresult o a lack o education.Community Relationship: Much o what weve discussed leadsto efforts that do not just reduce recidivism, reduce repeat o-enses and promote the aid o people with mental health issues,but also uniy law enorcement entities into programs that willeducate the public. Educating the public is essential to achiev-ing all our goals. Tey public needs to be educated on ourcentral areas which are mental health issues, their///

Javier Salazar, No Response

Matt Ninan, No Response

Andy Lopez

Background: My 40 year career in Law Enorcement startedat the Sheriffs Office as a detention officer. I was ortunate toclimb the ladder to Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Sergeant,Internal Affairs, and assigned as Chie o Community Relationsand Support group unit with 264 officers

under my command.Mental Health Services: Te services thatare presently in place should be improved.Te on-site mental health proessionalshould be consistently included in theevaluation process prior to classification.Te offender should be monitored withina reasonable timerame and placed in an area that is devoid oitems to allow or suicide.Reducing Recidivism:Provide educational services such thata trade or skill could be learned where upon their release theycan be productive.Community Relationship: Reinstate the Community Relationsdivision and involve the Officers in community events.

Albert Uresti, Unopposed

Precinct 1

Sergio Chico Rodriguez, Unopposed

Precinct 3

Brandon J. Johnson, Unopposed

This court has jurisdiction over Small Claims and ClassC Misdemeanors. Oenses include matters pertaining

to evictions; juvenile oenses such as failure to attend

school, disorderly conduct, or minor in possession ofalcohol or tobacco; violations concerning drivers license,moving vehicle violations, liability insurance and vehicleplate inspections, etc.

Questions for CandidatesBackground:Please describe the combination of education, moti-vation and experience that qualifies you for this office.Funding Needs: What are the funding needs of the office of Justiceof the Peace?Process Serving, Customer Service: What issues need to be ad-dressed regarding process serving and customer service?

Precinct No. 2, Place 1

Roberto Robbie Vazquez, Unopposed

12 Voters Guide

Tax Assessor-Colletor

Sheriff

County Commissioner

Justice of the Peace


15/28

Precinct No. 2, Place 2

Monica Lisa Caballero

Background:I am currently in my 12th year as a JP and waslicensed as an attorney 19 yrs ago. Although a JP does not haveto be an attorney, it is extremely important that a JP have anexcellent understanding o the law. I am extremely energetic andenthusiastic which helps in a high volume court such as JP#2.

Funding Needs: Te unding needs o the JP court is in thearea o technology. Tis would enable video conerencing and/or simple pretrial issues to be conducted with more ease andconvenience to court patrons added tothe efficiency o the court. Additionallyit would be exciting to see the JP courtbecome paperless in the near uture whichwould be eco-riendly and would be costeffective to the County.Process Serving, Customer Service: Pre-cinct 2 is extremely timely in orwardingdocuments or process service to the Constables office. Tere areno issues regarding this that need to be currently addressed asthe process is smooth and efficient. Court staff receives sufficientsubstantive training regarding criminal and civil processes butwould benefit highly rom added training regarding customerservice skills improvement.

Steve Walker

Background: Masters Degree rom University o IncarnateWord. Four years on JP bench 2009-2012.Never overturned in my decisions. Re-tired public school teacher, teaching at alllevels. Currently Mediator at Bexar County

Dispute Resolution Center..and JAG O-ficer or Audie Murphy American Legionchapter 336.Funding Needs: County determines und-ing.Process Serving, Customer Service: More efficient customerservice.

Pamela Gabriel Craig

Background: At age o 50 I graduated St. Marys Law School.I have handled criminal and civil matters. I was a ormer CityMunicipal Court Judge and Bexar County Magistrate Judge. Iwant to ensure that the people have accessto an effective judicial system without hav-ing to hire an attorney.Funding Needs: Te unding needs or theJustice o the Peace are or office space, o-fice supplies, and staff personnel. Fundingis authorized through the County Commis-sioners.Process Serving, Customer Service: Tere needs to be sufficientstaff to provide assistance to the public in a timely ashion. Te pro-cess serving is a unction o the Constable and not the Justice o the

Peace. I am not aware o any problem in this area at this time.

Primary duties consist of serving subpoenas and execut-ing judgments of the courts.

Questions for CandidatesBackground:Please describe the combination of education, moti-vation and experience that qualifies you for this office.

Emerging Problems: What emerging problems do you foresee inthe Constables office and how will you address them?

Minimum Qualifications: What should be the minimum qualifi-cations for the position of Constable?

Precinct 1

Ruben C. Tejeda, Unopposed

Precinct 2

Dan S. Vela

Background: Extensive experience/expertise with Bexar CountySheriffs Office, administrative position as Deputy Chie oJudicial Services and Criminal Warrant Division. Managed andsupervised (56) warrant officer executing misdemeanor, elonyand mental health warrants out o countyand out o state warrantsEmerging Problems: I would determinewhat is wrong within the department first.I would take an inventory o the personnel,status reports, mixed files, lost records. A-ter establishing that there are existing prob-lems, I would review the specific problems

and attempt to solve them with my experience and knowledgeto the best o my ability. I would contact court liaisons and courtmanagers.

Minimum Qualifications: Tey should be a qualified state peaceofficer. Have the ability and knowledge o management andleadership skills. Tey should be a high school graduate withsome college hours. Tey must live in the precinct that they arerunning or.

Val Flores

Background: I began serving the citizens o Bexar Countyin1978 as a Bexar County Sheriffs Deputy, I have served asPrecinct 2 Constable since 2009. My motivation is protectingmy community with great pride. I hold aCriminal Justice Degree and a Master PeaceOfficer License.Emerging Problems: At this time I do notsee emerging problems within the office be-sides budget restraints, we will need to gobeore Commissioners Court and requestunding or our needs.

Minimum Qualifications: At least 10 or more years o experi-ence as a Law Enorcement Officer along with at least an Associ-ates Degree.

Voters Guide 13

Constable


16/28

Charlie Pena, Jr..

Background: Associates Degree Master Law Enorcement Cer-tification 42 years in Law Enorcement 8000 hrs Law Enorce-ment training I came up threw the ranks o the community andinto law enorcement where I elt a passion to help those whocould not protect themselves. corrupt, ineficient leaders must bereplacedEmerging Problems: Accountability begins with the head o

the office. I will begin at the top with an open door to the exasRangers so that agency can adequately conduct its on goinginvestigation. Leadership will exist as well as transparency. Teoffice will resume what it was designed to do with upmost pro-essionalism and service to the community. All members will beheld accountable or their actions.

Minimum Qualifications: A minimum o 45 hrs college Inter-mediate Certification Or 10 years Law Enorcement experience

Michelle Barrientes Vela

Background: Would be as listed below: 1. Im a License PeaceOfficer in the State o x 2. Experienced as a Deputy Constable3. As a Leader I will not shy away rom myIntegrity, values or morales. I will serve mycommunity with Honor as I serve side byside in the ront lines with my Deputies todecrease crim///Emerging Problems: 1. We need morecommunity Policing, Police Prences andbecoming more proactive as Officers2.working with all local Law Enorcement Offering more train-ing to the officers along with community education and pro-grams to our citizens in Bexar County

Minimum Qualifications: Te minimum qualifications or

the position o the Constable would be as ollowed: An activeor inactive Licensed Peace Officer An honorable retired exasPeace Officer or Investigation or currently a special InvestigatorAssociated Degree rom an accredited College

Rudy Garza

Background:Master Peace Officer, LE Instructor, Formermember o AACOG LE Academy Advisory Committee ,AdjunctInstructor or AACOG LE academy, LEfirearms instructor, Less lethal instructor,Cert k9 handler, cert armorer, 25 yrs LE ex-

perience w/20 yrs @ Pct3 Constables office. Hold the position o Captain.Emerging Problems: Lack o strong lead-ership, many supervisors with personalagendas, & lack o ocus on the needs othe community. I will conduct a review o current leadership &place only qualified leaders in key positions; put in place rules &regulations that promote public and officer saety. Always havean open door policy in regards to the public & staff. Supportschools. Be the Leader all deserve.

Minimum Qualifications: Te State o exas outlines minimumqualifications or the position o constable, however it would begreat to see a requirement or prior experience ,training require-

ments, & certification levels prior to running or the position .

Precinct No. 3

Edward (Ed) Coleman, Unopposed

Precinct No. 4

Stan Ramos

Background: Certified exas Peace Officer or 20 years. Licensed

in the State o exas as a Private Investigator or the past 11years. Worked Federal cases, State District Court Felony cases.As a Military Veteran, I will bring Honor,Discipline, Leadership and Integrity to theConstables office.Emerging Problems: Te current problemin the constables office is that the deputyconstables are not doing their jobs withinthe Civil nature o the job. Many aredoing too much police work. I also seea problem in accountability. Many deputies just call in theirhours worked or the week and some o the time is not accu-rately accounted or. I also see a need or more job training orthe deputy constables.

Minimum Qualifications: First and oremost a Constable MUSbe a Certified Peace Officer. He must posses at least a BASIC cer-tification level via ECOLE. He must be knowledgeable in Civiland Criminal Process. He must posses an attitude o confidence,yet show compassion when required. Must be willing to worklong hours as needed and, he must be willing to do whatever ittakes to get the job done.

Robert Mike Blount

Background: I am a lielong Pct.4 resident and graduate o

Highlands High school. Trough 40 years o law enorcement, Ihave acquired a Master P.O. License and graduated the Con-stable Leadership Institute. Quality oservice is my motivation and we must havean experienced qualified Constable to leadthe way.Emerging Problems: Budget constraintsare always a challenge. 2 years ago, Pct. 4doubled in size and population, however,my office staff has remained the same. Inthe near uture, I look orward to working with commissionersto maintain a staff that lets my officers do the job in a timely andproessional manner. I will also continue to provide the latesttraining and education to all my staff in a timely manner.

Minimum Qualifications: State law dictates the requirements tobe elected However, I believe that a Constable must be involvedwith the community he serves. Tey must be transparent at alllevels and possess the experience and education that is requiredto make tough decisions. Tey must have a complete under-standing o the JP court and service o their process. Above all, aConstable must be a person o high integrity.

14 Voters Guide


17/28

Voters Guide 15

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES

President

US Representative

Jeb Bush

Ben Carson

Chris Christie

Ted Cruz

Carly Fiorina

Elizabeth Gray

Lindsey Graham

Mike Huckabee

John R. Kasich

Rand Paul

Marco Rubio

Rick Santorum

Donald J. Trump

Each representative serves a two-year term, must be atleast 25 years old and must be a resident of Texas anda US citizen for at least seven years. Constitutionallydelegated powers of the house are origination of revenuebills, initiation of impeachment proceedings, and authori-zation to elect the president when a tie or lack of majorityexists in the electoral college.

Questions for CandidatesBackground:Please describe the combination of education, moti-vation and experience that qualifies you for this office.Immigration Reorm: What is your position on immigration re-form? What role should the U.S. play in accepting refugees? Pleaseexplain.Economic Health: What would you do to improve our economichealth, with specific reference to minimum wage, infrastructureand equal pay? Please be specific.

Job Growth: What would you propose to stimulate job growthin this country: Explain how your proposal would actually createjobs.

District 21

Lamar Smith

Background: Education: Yale University, B.A. Southern Meth-odist University, J.D. Experience: United States Representative,1986-Present. County Commissioner, Bexar County, 1982-1986.Republican Party o Bexar County, Chairman 1978-1980.Immigration Reorm: America has the most generous immigra-tion system in the world, admitting one million legal immigrantseach year. Tat is more than all other countries combined. And

that generosity should continue. In addition, the United States

has humanitarian programs to admit those who are persecutedin their own countries because o their religion, political views,or ethnic backgrounds.Economic Health: It is my responsibility as a Member o Con-gress to ensure that businesses have the tools to succeed in to-days economy, particularly the nearly 28 million small business-es in America. Hardworking Americans deserve good wages.I believe the best solution or ensuringhigher wages is a government that empow-

ers job creators and innovators to succeed.Tis economic success will in turn producehigher wages and more take-home pay.

Job Growth: Economic prosperity andjob growth can be accomplished throughpolicy solutions that empower the privatesector. Eliminating unnecessary and costly regulations, loweringtaxes, and balancing the ederal budget would create jobs andhelp the economy.

John Murphy

Background: Education: Bachelor o Science in Aerospace Engi-neering with an additional concentration in EconomicsImmigration Reorm: Yes, we need comprehensive immigrationreorm. Money and manpower are not the answer, as weve seenthe number o illegal immigrants swell rom less than 4 millionin 1990 to over 12 million today. We should return to somethingsimilar to the Bracero Act o the 1960s. Although it had flaws,such as not allowing workers to change employers, it was supe-rior to our current system. Te U.S. shouldcontinue to accept reugees as it always has.Te vetting period is over a year and a haland is quite effective at screening would beterrorists. We should not allow our ear to

overcome our humanityEconomic Health: Te basic role o thegovernment is to create an environmentwhere people and businesses can thrive. Minimum wage lawswould lead to a larger shadow economy in which people arepaid under the table. Although I support reining in our budget, Ibelieve spending on our inrastructure would be a wise invest-ment that will pay dividends. Everyone should be treated equallyunder the law and i someone can prove they have been discrim-inated against then restitutions should be made.

Job Growth: Ending the tax on profits earned abroad wouldcreate jobs almost immediately. Currently we are creating incen-tives or companies to keep the money they earn abroad. Tismeans that they do not reinvest in new offices, R&D, and hiringnew employees in the US. We should curb the regulatory state,which hinders job growth and invest in education, so that ourcitizens are the most qualified and competitive in the world.

Todd Phelps

Background: Education: Hyde Park Baptist High School TeUniversity o exas Farm and Ranch Management CommercialLending Energy. Experience: Farm and Ranch ManagementCommercial Lending Energy Fighting to protect taxpayers inAustin by running or Mayor

Immigration Reorm: I support establishing criminalization and


18/28

16 Voters Guide

prosecution or those here illegally, that reuse to return home.I will propose and support new and expanded criminalizing oillegal aliens as well as deportation with ull cooperation withICE. When we start to prosecute and enorce laws, those hereillegally that do not respect our laws willhead home. Te situation is at epidemicproportion and talk o amnesty which Iwould never support only causes people tobe trafficked here and risk death and injury.

Enorcement is better or us and better oranyone wanting to live in the U.S.Economic Health: Focus on expandingindustry/industrial jobs and working class job inrastructure inaddition to High ech, so that people who do not have advancededucation can obtain meaningul wages that actually allow themto support themselves.

Job Growth: Demand that any existing programs to stimulatejobs ocus on the working class and lower income sectors as wellso that people can support themselves.

Matt McCall

Background: Education: BA Economics and Business WestmontCollege. Experience: I have built and run a successul business inthe medical industry. I am running to be a citizen legislator andthen go home.Immigration Reorm: We should seal the border immediately.Tere are many acets o immigration reorm and they shouldbe handled in bite size pieces that people can actually read anddebate. At one time an immigrant had to prove he or she wouldnot be a burden to society in order to comehere. Tat should be the standard or allimmigration again. Tose who come hereshould be coming to build a better uture

or their children and grandchildren and tocontribute to American society--not to liveoff o it. Immigration is not a right; it is aprivilege. No reugees rom countries thatideologically oppose us.Economic Health: What the workers o America need is morejobs and job growth. Wages go up when there are more jobs thanpeople. We have 96 million citizens o working age out o the workorce. Hal o all those working are working or ederal, state, orlocal government entities. Tis is unsustainable. We must rapidlygrow the private sector by removing government red tape andregulatory burden. Capitalism has lifed one billion people outo poverty in the last decade, and we need to move back to muchreer society. I want the government small, efficient, and out oour lives. Tis will grow our economy.

Job Growth: We have the highest corporate income tax in the de-veloped world and some o the lowest import duties. Tis is driv-ing jobs overseas. I want to scrap all (yes all) corporate income taxand impose a 20% import duty. Tis will raise the same amounto money and will stimulate job growth as every one in the worldwill want to build everything here. Te 10th amendment needs tobe used to get rid o the job killing EPA and OSHA and give theseresponsibilities back to the states. I want to break up the big banksand get back to small banks that lend to small businesses who cre-ate 80% o new jobs.

District 23

Will Hurd, No Response

William Hart Peterson, No Response

District 28

Zefen Hardin, Unopposed

District 35

Susan Narvaiz,Unopposed

6-year term. Must be at least 25 years old, a Texasresident, and a registered voter. Regulates the oil & gasindustry, gas utilities, pipeline safety, safety in the liqueed

petroleum gas industry, & surface coal and uranium miningin Texas.

Questions for CandidatesBackground:What training, experience, and characteristics qualifyyou for this position?rans-Pecos Pipeline:How would you balance the environmentalconcerns of Big Bend residents related to construction of the rans-Pecos natural gas pipeline with oil and gas industry interests?Urban Drilling:What are the main health and safety issues relatedto oil and gas drilling (fracking) in urban areas, and how would youaddress them?Other Issues:Aside from the issues above, what are the two mostserious issues the Railroad Commission will face during the nextterm, and how would you address them?

Lance N. Christian

Background:As a geologist (P.G. 10342) in the GroundwaterAdvisory Unit, I am the only candidate with Railroad Com-mission o exas (RRC) experience. I am a technically orientedperson with no previous political experiencethat will analyze issues objectively, whileserving no political interests. Bachelor oScience - Geological Sciences, 1994 Bacheloro Arts - Geography, 1995 Masters Program- Geological Sciences (incomplete)rans-Pecos Pipeline:Most o the environ-mental concerns or natural gas pipelinesare acute issues during the initial construction phase. Pollutionconcerns are minimal compared to denser hydrocarbon productsthat may enter the groundwater and linger. I the construction iscarried out with a minimal environ. ootprint, the pipeline scarwould likely not be visible in a ew years. Most pipeline locationstoday are unknown to the public. I special issues arise then con-sideration o those issues would be required.Urban Drilling:Tere are two primary threats rom rackingactivities. First, is the possibility o groundwater contaminationby induced racturing. Effective groundwater sampling programsbeore drilling, during well development, and afer completion isthe most definitive method to discern pollution issues. Additional

casing and cementing may be necessary in well construction plans

Railroad Commissioner


19/28

Voters Guide 17

to prevent such issues. Second, are issues relating to induced seis-micity. Tose issues warrant urther investigation.Other Issues: Te impending review by the Sunset Commissionin 2016 is the most important issue that will be aced by the RRC.Tis review, coupled with the state o the oil & gas industry, willcreate a storm o scrutiny over the next year. As an employee othe RRC, I will be best suited to explain RRC unctions to thelegislature. Secondly, induced seismicity issues in North exas area concern to residents in that area. As a geologist, I am the best

qualified candidate to review seismicity studies.

John Greytok

Background:Tis position is basically a judicial one. Te RailroadCommission unctions as a tribunal. While there is not space ormy ull resume, in short I am the only candidate with the legaltraining, knowledge and experience to do a good job rom dayone. B.A. Economics (with Honors), U Austin J.D. (with Hon-ors), U Austinrans-Pecos Pipeline: Te Railroad Commission must balancethe rights o landowners and industry acrossexas and not solely in regard to the rans-Pecos pipeline. We must ensure that anydevelopment meets the proper standardsand protects all exans.Urban Drilling:All state agencies, includingthe Railroad Commission must give priorityto the health, saety, and welare o all ex-ans. We must always be alert and open to new inormation aboutthe costs and risks o industrial activities. When reliable engineer-ing and other data are available, we should take steps to protectthe health and saety o all exans.Other Issues:First, stabilize the agency by successully completingthe Sunset Review.Second, continue crucial technology upgrades.

Tird, we must fight back against the Obama EPAs irrational waron the exas energy Industry.

Ron Hale

Background:Being a licensed proessional engineer and privatesecurity consultant or the exas energy industry or the last 18years. echnical School BFAA omball Collegerans-Pecos Pipeline: Everything has to

2016 primary voters guide

Documents