Many recall that rising political star and former Houston Metropolis Council Member Amanda Edwards threw her hat within the ring to run for mayor, vying to take over for term-limited Sylvester Turner. However when longtime U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee entered Houston’s mayoral race, Edwards dropped out and selected to run for the U.S. Congress District 18 seat – the one Jackson Lee has held for the previous 29 years and would relinquish if she grew to become Houston’s subsequent mayor.
However a humorous factor occurred on the best way to their expectations: Jackson Lee misplaced the mayor’s race (gained by John Whitmire), and although many thought Edwards would drop out of the District 18 race, she’s all in and trying to unseat the longtime incumbent who didn’t have to surrender her congressional seat as she ran for mayor.
The Defender requested these two political juggernauts inquiries to see how they examine on points related to the voters who will resolve who represents District 18 transferring ahead.
Defender: What are the details of your platform?
Jackson Lee: Having served nearly 30 years within the U. S. Congress, I’m very acquainted with essential points that imply essentially the most to us together with (a) the necessity to proceed to convey billions of federal {dollars} again to the town and the 18th district that can improve the general high quality of life for Houstonians; (b) offering inexpensive well being care providers for all in addition to defending the correct of reproductive rights and freedom for ladies; (c) start prioritizing tasks that can rebuild our crumbling infrastructure and supply jobs because of the historic bi-partisan Infrastructure & Jobs Act; (d.) focus extra on international warming and the way we will higher shield our surroundings to scale back local weather change.
Edwards: The voters I meet day by day within the district imagine it’s time for a neighborhood the place everybody can thrive, and I agree. Due to this fact, my priorities as a member of Congress shall be to increase entry to high quality, inexpensive well being care; to increase financial alternative, together with for small-business homeowners and people looking for jobs in an evolving financial system; to work to decrease the rising prices of upper training; and to guard our democracy and safeguard our civil rights. I’ve mentioned a few of my approaches to those points intimately in response to the questions above. Please go to www.edwardsforhouston.com for my full coverage plan.
Defender: Out of your learn, what are the highest 1-3 points Dist. 18 voters wish to see addressed?
Jackson Lee: From my discussions with constituents, they’re involved concerning the state of our democracy being worn out, the standing of world peace, and never having the ability to present for his or her households with the onset of inflation without having first rate wages, in addition to shedding their social safety and retirement advantages.
Edwards: I hear day by day from voters who’re nervous concerning the future. Many ladies are afraid as a result of they dwell in essentially the most harmful state within the nation to turn into pregnant due to our restrictions on ladies’s reproductive well being. Many individuals really feel shut out of our area’s dynamic financial system and from healthcare entry. These voters want somebody to listen to them, however most significantly, they want somebody who will work for them and ship actual, transformative change for the neighborhood.
Defender: What’s your message to younger individuals who say voting doesn’t matter as a result of they imagine 1) there’s no distinction between Democrats and Republicans or 2) Democrats haven’t delivered on the large problems with prison justice reform, gun reform, and scholar debt forgiveness?
Jackson Lee: There are distinctive variations between Democrats and Republicans, together with the truth that the Republican Celebration has turn into the ‘Trump Celebration’ as an alternative of a celebration pushed by their authentic rules of serving others. The Democratic Celebration nonetheless stays dedicated to the Structure of the US with its decree of “so as to kind a extra good union, set up justice and insure home tranquility.” The Democratic Celebration is “for the individuals,” and so as to turn into a “extra good union,” because the founding fathers declared, we should genuinely be involved concerning the welfare of others. Civil engagement and voting is the method by which we will make mandatory modifications wanted to create a conducive society for all.
Edwards: I perceive the frustrations and issues of younger individuals who really feel disillusioned with the political system. However I’m a Democrat for a purpose. Democrats champion progressive values equivalent to equality, social justice, and environmental sustainability, not like the Republican agenda. I occur to be a Democrat who will ship the change talked about throughout marketing campaign season – not simply give a speech.
Essential points like prison justice reform, gun reform, and scholar debt have to be addressed and delivered. It’s time for a contemporary strategy and revolutionary options to the obstacles confronted on this enviornment in order that religion in authorities will also be restored.
On prison justice reform, whereas progress has been made, there’s nonetheless a lot work to be accomplished to dismantle systemic inequalities and guarantee equity and justice for all. I’m dedicated to advocating for complete reform measures that prioritize rehabilitation, neighborhood funding, and addressing root causes of crime.
Gun reform is one other pressing situation the place Democrats should present management. The difficulty is private for me; after I was only a youngster, my cousin misplaced his life to gun violence. As a candidate, I pledge to push for common sense gun security legal guidelines that prioritize public security with out infringing on accountable gun possession rights.
Relating to scholar debt forgiveness, I acknowledge the crushing burden that scholar loans place on people and households, hindering financial mobility and exacerbating inequality. Whereas important steps have been taken, equivalent to increasing mortgage forgiveness packages and bettering income-driven compensation plans, I’m dedicated to preventing for extra substantial measures to alleviate the burden of scholar debt – not solely broad-based forgiveness packages, however utilizing federal purse strings to bend the ever-increasing value curve of upper training.
This election is essential as a result of those that have been disenchanted have the chance to do one thing totally different on this major election so as to get one thing totally different by way of outcomes. We want totally different and simpler leaders in Congress to take a distinct strategy, which might yield totally different outcomes. Your vote does matter, and your participation is crucial in shaping the long run we wish to see.
Defender: What’s the one situation most individuals aren’t discussing that you simply imagine must be on our radar?
Jackson Lee: Regardless that there was some nationwide consideration about local weather change & international warming, many are nonetheless not involved about how the declining high quality of our air and water regularly has an hostile impact on our surroundings and high quality of life points. Too many are nonetheless not concerned in recycling efforts. Extra consciousness have to be raised about greenhouse fuel and industrial emissions that have an effect on the standard of the air we breathe, water we drink, and meals we eat. We should turn into extra educated and do higher to protect our surroundings.
Edwards: I imagine that many citizens usually are not discussing what number of of our rights have been eroded and brought away lately – and the truth that Texas has served because the vanguard for these modifications. From voter suppression to banning ladies’s reproductive freedom, Republican advocates have examined coverage approaches on Texans earlier than rolling them out to the remainder of the nation. As a member of Congress, I’ll make it my mission to battle again, beginning with a complete strategy to securing our democracy, together with increasing and defending voting rights and addressing the egregious gerrymandering that dilutes the votes of Black communities specifically.
Defender: What do you admire most about your opponent?
Jackson Lee: The willingness to run for public workplace and serve others.
Edwards: My opponent is rightfully recognized for her visibility throughout a breadth of platforms and her advocacy for points she cares about. It’s necessary for elected officers to be seen and to convey consideration to the experiences of the individuals they symbolize, and my opponent has demonstrated a constant dedication to this side of public service.
Defender: What’s the largest factor that separates you out of your opponent?
Jackson Lee: Primarily, the extent of expertise that has allowed me to be taught an amazing deal concerning the inside workings of Congress. Due to established relationships, I’ve the aptitude to work throughout the aisle to work with these with whom we could have variations however can focus on points and compromise when mandatory.
Edwards: I used to be born, raised, and educated on this district, my household is from the district, and I’ve lived on this district. In all these years, the individuals of this district have continued to wrestle with the identical challenges: A scarcity of financial alternatives, a healthcare system that fails to adequately serve us, and a justice system that too usually leaves us feeling unsafe. It’s time for a brand new strategy based mostly on figuring out actual options to our lingering issues. Additionally it is time for a pacesetter to come back in with a daring imaginative and prescient for our future who is ready to move coverage that may result in the transformative change the neighborhood deserves. As with all journey, there comes a time when a brand new strategy, a contemporary perspective, and new management is required. We’re at that second in our collective journey. I’ll lead us to not simply deal with the challenges of as we speak however to appreciate our full potential and win tomorrow, as effectively.
Defender: How primarily will you make a distinction in a Congress that has been traditionally deadlocked?
Jackson Lee: I’ll proceed to work together and focus on coverage and legislative modifications that shall be useful to the well-being of all of us. Open communication is the important thing to constructive change, and we should begin listening in addition to speaking to one another moderately than “at” one another so as to discover compromise and customary floor.
Edwards: I served for 4 years within the non-partisan position of at-large member of the Houston Metropolis Council. Which means having been elected by and serving the wants of all the metropolis of Houston, the fourth most populous metropolis within the nation, and essentially the most numerous. And the foremost points going through residents within the Houston area – well being outcomes, infrastructure funding and flooding, jobs and financial alternative – require a cooperative effort. My expertise driving change as a Metropolis Council Member will inform my work in Congress. Working behind the scenes to acquire the wanted outcomes can also be a key to getting issues accomplished for the neighborhood, and I’m able to get to work and preserve working till the wants of the neighborhood are served.
Defender: What is going to District 18 illustration appear to be in 2024 and past with you in workplace?
Jackson Lee: For nearly 30 years, I’ve delivered for Houston’s working households, seniors, small companies, educators, youngsters, and ladies, and I’ll proceed to ship for the 18th Congressional District constituents and Houstonians. I’ll proceed to battle for inexpensive housing in addition to battle to deal with the unhoused and homeless neighborhood; assist working households thrive; proceed to work with legislation enforcement businesses to assist decrease crime and prioritize public security in our neighborhoods; promote small companies and improve financial alternatives; and assist rebuild our infrastructure.
Edwards: My purpose, if elected to Congress, is to create a neighborhood the place everybody in it has the chance to thrive. So as to take action, I’ll lead in a method that’s really inclusive of the communities of District 18, a lot of whose views and experiences are constantly underrepresented when and the place selections are made. I’ll invite the 18th Congressional District to the desk by the use of having advisory teams to assist advise me on insurance policies and points in the neighborhood, and I shall be very current within the district so as to preserve the road of communication open and domesticate a powerful partnership with the neighborhood. I’ll actively advocate for the underrepresented Houstonians by introducing and supporting laws addressing healthcare entry, financial and academic fairness, justice and voting rights, and different core problems with concern. I’ll have interaction with teams elevating the issues of underrepresented residents and host common neighborhood boards to know and deal with residents’ particular issues. I’ll work in the direction of prison justice reforms with an eye fixed towards the security of marginalized teams, and can promote the safety of our civil and democratic rights. I can even determine and safe federal grants and different sources to help efforts that fall consistent with these values and goals. I’ll take into account it my obligation and my dedication to foster a society the place everybody, together with the Black neighborhood that contains the core of this district, can thrive.
