Public Education Advocacy
In November 2021, I founded the non-partisan Cy-Fair Civic Alliance (CFCA) to bring the families of Cy-Fair ISD together to celebrate diversity, promote equity and inclusion, and protect our local public schools from political and religious extremists.
Members of CFCA became a regular presence and voice of reason at monthly school board meetings, communicated with the Cy-Fair ISD board of trustees and administration about important education issues, awarded a scholarship to a CFISD graduate who plans to become a teacher, and coordinated a district-wide librarian appreciation campaign.
In January of 2023, the group re-branded as Cypress Families for Public Schools (CFPS) and formally became a 501(c)4 non-profit. Cypress Families for Public Schools works to engage, inform, and unite Cy-Fair ISD staff, parents, students, and taxpayers. I currently serve on the Board of Directors as Vice President.
2020 Texas House Campaign
In October 2019, I began my campaign for the Texas House of Representatives in District 130 in northwest Harris County. I was only the second Democrat to run in the heavily Republican district in two decades. Knowing the odds were against me, I ran for office to give voice to those who believe in a more just and equitable Texas and inspire voters to get involved in the political process.
As a teacher, parent, and flood victim, my campaign focused on public education funding, increasing access to health care, reducing gun violence, strengthening workers' rights, investing in flood mitigation and renewable energy, and promoting equal opportunity and protection for all Texans regardless of ethnicity, race, country of origin, religion, or sexual orientation. I would often say that I wanted Texas to be the best state in the Union to work, raise a family, and enjoy the outdoors.
While the pandemic made fundraising and organizing a challenge, my campaign received hundreds of grassroots contributions and recruited dozens of volunteers to block walk and phone bank. I received support from Run for Something, Texas AFL-CIO, Texas AFT, Texas Sierra Club, Houston GLBT Caucus, and Moms Demand Action. I marched in solidarity with Black Lives Matter activists in Tomball in the wake of George Floyd's murder, spoke at Cy-Fair ISD board meetings on behalf of teachers concerned about their health and safety during the pandemic, and discussed the importance of tolerance and the role that faith plays in politics with the Minaret Foundation.
My campaign volunteers in District 130 worked tirelessly during the general election to maximize voter turnout, promote practical progressive change, and defend the basic principles of American democracy from reactionary and authoritarian forces. In the end, our campaign was able to earn more votes than any previous Democrat in the Republican stronghold and laid the groundwork for future organizing and activism in northwest Harris County.
