Big D for Democrats

The voter registration deadline has passed here in Texas, propelling us into Phase 2 of the process. The main act, the star of the show… voting. Whether you’re taking your physical being into a polling booth on Election Day, participating in the early voting process, or are sending in your absentee ballot— it’s important to know who and what you’re voting for. If you’re a resident of the Dallas area trying to turn Texas blue, or at least make it a little less red, here’s (almost) everything you need to know about what’s going on in our political bubble.

1. Senate— #Beto4TX

In case you live under a rock and haven’t heard: we finally have a chance to get rid of Ted Cruz.

Cruz’s term as Senator is coming to an end, and El Paso native Beto O’Rourke is running against him.

The briefest summary on the issues:

Beto:

Rights: pro-choice for women, supports decriminalization of possession and sale of small amounts of marijuana, called for the arrest records of individuals sentenced for possession of small amounts of marijuana to be expunged; end to cash bail; believes marriage equality is a “core civil rights issue” and overturned domestic partnership ban in El Paso; supports the ban on assault rifles and universal background checks; speaks out on racial inequality and peaceful protesting— specifically kneeling during United States National Anthem.

Economy: promotes regulations on business and industry in order to protect consumers, promote competition to grow the economy, supports stronger antitrust regulations to break up monopolies that stifle innovation.

To meet the needs of a changing workforce, O'Rourke says, "We must connect those out of work with the high value jobs being created right here in Texas by investing in the training, certification and apprenticeship programs that make it possible."

Education: wants to increase federal aid to public schools, says teachers and local education officials should have more "autonomy" when it comes to setting classroom standards "and reduce the emphasis on arbitrary, high-stakes tests."

Environment: favors a mix of renewable energy and protecting the traditional fossil fuel energy, wants the United States to reverse Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accords.

Immigration: opposes Trump's plan for a border wall, against current family separation policy for undocumented Americans, supports a path to citizenship for immigrant children.

Healthcare: calls for beefing up Obamacare, including adding an optional plan where policyholders have the option to buy into a government-run plan similar to medicare.

Miscellaneous: pro-Trump’s impeachment.

Cruz:

Rights: opposes legalization of marijuana, but believes it should be decided at state level; thinks that homosexuality is a “choice” and opposes same-sex marriage and civil unions, but thinks that each state should be able to choose their position on the issue; has received over $300,000 from the NRA, anti-universal background checks, tweeted:

…in response to the former president of Iran supporting Kaepernick and his protests.

Economy: wants to reform Social Security without altering benefits for those already benefiting from the plan, raise retirement age gradually to reflect longer life spans and longer careers, allow younger workers to invest portions of their Social Security into 401k-style plans, strong supporter of Trump’s 2017 tax cut package, wants to replace current income tax structure with a flat tax.

Education: advocate for the abolishment the U.S. Department of Education, advocate for school vouchers (allows parents to tap money they pay in local school taxes for tuition and other expenses in private schools).

Environment: encouraged Trump to withdraw from the Paris accords, supporter of hydraulic shale fracturing to tap more oil and gas sources and for more off-shore drilling.

Immigration: supports Trump's border wall— cast the lone vote in the Senate against initiative to offer a path to citizenship for young immigrants brought into the country illegally as children.

Healthcare: led filibuster in an unsuccessful effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act, has plan that would allow Americans to purchase health insurance across state lines.

2. House of Representatives— Who are these guys?

The House of Representatives is viewed as a less prestigious role in government compared to the Senate, but is more representative of the people. Knowing who your representative is, or could be, matters.

Texas has 36 congressional districts, therefore holds 36 seats in the House. The Dallas/Fort Worth area is made up of the following districts: 3 (Collin and Dallas county), 5 (Southeast Dallas, Anderson, Cherokee, Henderson, Van Zandt, Kaufman, Wood county), 6 (Navarro, Ellis, Southeast Tarrant county),12 (Parker, West Tarrant, East Wise county), 24 (Southeast Denton, Dallas-Tarrant county line), 26 (Denton county), 30 (city of Dallas & county), 32 (North and East Dallas, Collin county), 33 (Dallas and Tarrant county).

2018 Midterm Elections:

3rd Congressional District: Van Taylor (R) vs. Lorie Burch (D)

5th Congressional District: Lance Gooden (R) vs. Dan Wood (D)

6th Congressional District: Ron Wright (R) vs. Jana Lynne Sanchez (D)

12th Congressional District: Kay Granger (Incumbent, R) vs. Vanessa Adia (D)

24th Congressional District: Kenny Marchant (Incumbent, R) vs. Jan McDowell (D)

26th Congressional District: Michael Burgess (Incumbent, R) vs. Linsey Fagan (D)

30th Congressional District: Eddie Bernice Johnson (Incumbent, D)

32nd Congressional District*: Pete Sessions (Incumbent, R) vs. Colin Allred (D)

33rd Congressional District: Willie Billups (R) vs. Marc Veasey (Incumbent, D)

When urged to “contact your representative,” do it. Members of the House are more likely to vote on legislation based on the wants of their district as opposed to voting within party expectations.

When looking at an overview of how Texas voted during the 2016 presidential election, Dallas was blue.

Dallas voted Hillary.

These midterm elections are our chance to let the country know that Dallas, Texas (and surrounding areas) is a city in Texas that stands for something.

Dallas, Texas stands for change.

Our nickname is “The Big D”— make the D for Democrats.

* The 32nd district congressional election has been said to be one of the most important of the 2018 midterm elections.