President of the United States
Candidates:
Donald J. Trump (R)
Joseph "Joe" Biden Jr. (D)
Impact on South Asians: The President of the United States has a significant influence on immigration policies, healthcare, education, and civil rights. For the South Asian community, the President's stance on immigration reform, visa policies, and international relations with South Asian countries can directly affect family reunification, employment opportunities, and community wellbeing.
Vice President of the United States
Candidates:
Pending
Impact on South Asians: The Vice President plays a critical role in the Senate, often casting the deciding vote in case of ties. This position is also a key advocate within the administration, influencing policy decisions that impact minority communities, including South Asians.
U.S. Senator for Texas
Candidates:
Colin Allred (D)
Ted Cruz (R)
Impact on South Asians: U.S. Senators draft and vote on federal legislation that can affect healthcare, education, immigration, and economic policies. Their decisions on these matters can greatly influence the lives of South Asians in Texas, affecting everything from business opportunities to access to healthcare services.
State K12 Education Board
Candidates:
District 1: Gustavo Reveles (D) vs. Michael "Travis" Stevens (R)
District 3: Marisa B. Perez-Diaz (D)
District 4: Staci Childs (D)
District 10: Raquel Saenz Ortiz (D) vs. Tom Maynard (R)
District 11: Brandon Hall (R) vs. Rayna Glasser (D)
District 12: George King (D) vs. Pam Little (R)
District 15: Aaron Kinsey (R) vs. Morgan Kirkpatrick (D)
Impact on South Asians: The State K12 Education Board's decisions on curriculum and educational standards directly impact the quality of education that South Asian children receive. Issues like bilingual education, STEM programs, and cultural inclusivity in the curriculum are particularly relevant to our community.
U.S. Representatives for Texas
Candidates by District:
District 1: Nathaniel Moran (R)
District 2: Dan Crenshaw (R) vs. Peter Filler (D)
District 3: Keith Self (R) vs. Sandeep Srivastava (D)
District 4: Pat Fallon (R) vs. Simon Cardell (D)
District 5: Lance Gooden (R) vs. Ruth Torres (D)
District 6: Jake Ellzey (R) vs. John B. Love III (D)
District 7: Caroline Kane (R) vs. Lizzie Fletcher (D)
District 8: Laura Jones (D) vs. Morgan Luttrell (R)
District 9: Al Green (D)
District 10: Michael McCaul (R) vs. Theresa Boisseau (D)
District 11: August Pfluger (R)
District 12: Craig Goldman (R) vs. Trey J. Hunt (D)
District 13: Ronny Jackson (R)
District 14: Randy Weber (R) vs. Rhonda Hart (D)
District 15: Michelle Vallejo (D) vs. Monica De La Cruz-Hernandez (R)
District 16: Irene Armendariz Jackson (R) vs. Veronica Escobar (D)
District 17: Mark Lorenzen (D) vs. Pete Sessions (R)
District 18: Lana Centonze (R) vs. Sheila Jackson Lee (D)
District 19: Jodey Arrington (R)
District 20: Joaquin Castro (D)
District 21: Chip Roy (R) vs. Kristin Hook (D)
District 22: Marquette Greene-Scott (D) vs. Troy E. Nehls (R)
District 23: Santos Limon (D) vs. Tony Gonzales (R)
District 24: Beth Van Duyne (R) vs. Sam Eppler (D)
District 25: Roger Williams (R)
District 26: Brandon Gill (R) vs. Ernest R. Lineberger III (D)
District 27: Michael Cloud (R) vs. Tanya Lloyd (D)
District 28: Henry Cuellar (D) vs. Jay Furman (R)
District 29: Alan Garza (R) vs. Sylvia Garcia (D)
District 30: Jasmine Felicia Crockett (D)
District 31: John Carter (R) vs. Stuart Whitlow (D)
District 32: Darrell Day (R) vs. Julie Johnson (D)
District 33: Marc Veasey (D) vs. Patrick David Gillespie (R)
District 34: Mayra Flores (R) vs. Vicente Gonzalez (D)
District 35: Greg Casar (D) vs. Steven Wright (R)
District 36: Brian Babin (R) vs. Dayna Steele (D)
District 37: Jenny Garcia Sharon (R) vs. Lloyd Doggett (D)
District 38: Melissa Mcdonough (D) vs. Wesley Hunt (R)
Impact on South Asians: U.S. Representatives introduce and vote on federal laws that can impact everything from immigration reform and healthcare to education funding and small business support. The representation of South Asian interests in Congress is crucial for ensuring that our community's needs and concerns are addressed.
State Utilities Board/Public Services Board/Public Regulation Board/Railroad (TX) Board
Candidates:
Texas Railroad Commissioner: Christi Craddick (R) vs. Katherine Culbert (D)
District 48: Donna Howard (D)
District 49: Gina Hinojosa (D)
District 50: James Talarico (D)
District 51: Maria "Lulu" Luisa Flores (D)
District 57: Collin Johnson (D) vs. Richard Hayes (R)
District 58: Helen Kerwin (R)
District 59: Hannah Bohm (D) vs. Shelby Slawson (R)
District 60: Mike Olcott (R)
District 61: Keresa Richardson (R) vs. Tony Adams (D)
District 101: Chris Turner (D) vs. Clint Burgess (R)
Impact on South Asians: State Representatives play a crucial role in shaping state laws and policies. Their decisions on issues such as education funding, healthcare access, and business regulations can directly impact the South Asian community's quality of life and economic opportunities in Texas.
Conclusion
Each of these elected positions holds significant power and responsibility that can impact the South Asian community in Texas. It is crucial to be informed about the candidates and their platforms to make informed voting decisions that will benefit our community and ensure our voices are heard in the political process. Voting in the November 2024 elections is not just a civic duty but a chance to influence the future direction of policies that affect us all.