Editor’s note: We sent out questions to 17 candidates in eight different races on the ballot in the Nov. 3 General Election. We heard back from at least one candidate in each race with the exception of Lubbock County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2. Our invitations went out on October 1, shortly after we launched Lubbock Report in late September. We would have preferred to give candidates more time to respond, so we have extended our deadline if candidates still choose to send us their responses.

What are your top three priorities?

My top priorities are affordability, education, and healthcare. After nearly 11 months of running this campaign, block-walking, and just talking to my neighbors, these are the issues that keep coming up in conversations; people are struggling when we do not need to be! Affordability because the average household income is being outpaced by the cost of rent, gas, groceries, utilities, insurance, debt, healthcare, and property taxes.

Education because censorship is running rampant, we rank near dead last when we were once in the top 10, special education programs are being defunded, vouchers are a scam stealing billions from the public, and teachers need a much-needed raise.

Healthcare because rural Texas needs help, hospitals are closing, we are the number one state for the highest cost of coverage, we need to include more elder-care services, and begin to prioritize mental-health services. We have the money to make the lives of Texans better, we just need backbone to stand against special interest and prioritize the essential needs of the people.

What changes, including funding, should Texas consider for public schools? How much of the policy for things like teacher compensation and per-student funding should come from Austin instead of local school boards?

Funding is being redirected away from public schools while those same schools are being asked to implement new, politically driven curriculum changes under increasing financial strain. Meanwhile, parents are encouraged to leave the system altogether through vouchers. The result is a dual-track system, one where public education is weakened structurally while alternative options are expanded, but not necessarily equally accessible to all families. Education is supposed to broaden perspective, not narrow it. So, three policies that I would implement are:

  • Empowering educators with collective bargaining – effectively giving them control (or at least a say) over pay, benefits, and curriculum.
  • Keep public dollars in public schools – terminating the voucher scam program.
  • Put educators and not legislatures in control over public education so they can stop teaching to prepare for a test, but rather have educators actually teach students to prepare them for life.

Educators must have the freedom to teach, research, and discuss complex or controversial topics without fear of political censorship or retaliation. Curriculum decisions are best left to academic experts, rather than politicians. malik williams

What is the proper oversight of the state’s higher education? What limits should the Legislature put on college-level instruction including Texas Tech?

Legislative interference often tends to harm the quality of education; however, communities still have concerns over accountability, academic freedom, and autonomy for these institutions of higher education. Educators must have the freedom to teach, research, and discuss complex or controversial topics without fear of political censorship or retaliation. Curriculum decisions are best left to academic experts, rather than politicians. Students need to be exposed to challenging, uncomfortable, and diverse ideas; it’s essential for developing critical thinking and preparing students for a pluralistic society. When the Texas Legislature became involved in education, topics such as history, civics, gender identity, or systemic privilege were restricted.

What restrictions, if any, should Texas place on large-scale or hyperscale data centers? Should cities and counties have more authority to attract and/or regulate them?

Localities should absolutely have the authority, with their residents’ consent, to attract and regulate data centers. Although, there are several issues presented with allowing data centers: water usage, rising utility cost for residents, available land, sound and soil contamination, and the effect on livestock and other animals. More studies and an open dialogue are necessary to make an informed decision on data centers. Which is why I support a moratorium, so we can obtain more information.

What should the Legislature do to address property taxes?

Texas does not have a state income tax, thus local governments rely heavily on property taxes to fund schools, emergency services, and infrastructure. This has resulted in Texas having the 7th-highest property tax burden in the country. Property tax relief is only a Band-Aid to solving this problem. Our essential services need a more stable and consistent means of funding to begin lowering the property tax burden on residents. One such solution is legalizing, regulating, and taxing THC/cannabis. THC/cannabis was nearly a $10 billion industry before the state unilaterally decided to ban it. The added revenue, if legalized, should begin to lower Texans’ property tax burden.

What needs to happen in the next legislative session to ensure West Texas has sufficient water for future generations and how should those projects be paid for?

Water issues Texans are facing include a heavy reliance on depleting aquifers, agricultural demands, oil and gas activity, and data center usage. Experts have testified, performed studies and think pieces, and shared their opinions on addressing these concerns, which I have reviewed and agree upon. We need to establish a revenue stream that addresses the problems associated with aging, deteriorating infrastructure. We need to develop a new assessment process that evaluates water access needs to identify utilities that are failing or at-risk or failing and using that data to guide and inform the strategic deployment of state resources. We need to build and develop the capacity needed for sustainable infrastructure development, including technical assistance outreach, workforce development and economies of scale through regional solutions. Also, we need to establish philanthropic capital and private-sector partnerships to broaden the array of providers addressing water access needs.

What standards should public schools meet in terms of materials that are available to students including school libraries? How much of that should be balanced by parental preferences and First Amendment considerations?

Balancing parental concern and academic freedom is difficult; however, public schools already have several policies in place regarding materials available to students. Materials are screened to exclude obscene, sexually explicit, or harmful content. All new or donated library books/materials must be publicly listed for at least 30 days before the school board of trustees votes to approve or reject them at an open meeting. Parents have the right to review library collection policies, view student checkout logs and history, and request restrictions or opt-outs for specific materials. When a parent, employee, or community member files a formal challenge, districts must follow strict review timelines, and challenged titles may be restricted or temporarily blocked pending school board or advisory committee determination. Safeguards are in place for parents to control what their kids see; however, one parent/family should not have the right to determine what information another parent/family’s kids can consume.

Should Texas expand Medicaid, increase reimbursement to rural hospitals or take other actions to address rural health care?

I would absolutely expand Medicaid. Texas is one of 10 states to not have expanded Medicaid, meaning low-income adults without kids are generally not eligible for Medicaid, regardless of income. Texas has the highest percentage of residents without insurance, the highest cost of insurance, and the highest percentage of rural hospital closures. Under the ACA, the federal government would cover 90 percent of expansion costs, leaving a 10 percent share for Texas to cover. The math here is logical, but our current politicians must answer to special interest over serving our needs. Further, to protect rural healthcare, I would:

  • Fund community-based prevention, wellness, and nutrition programs.
  • Give rural patients better control over their medical records and care plans.
  • Expand remote care, telepsychiatry, and virtual specialists.
  • Support recruitment, training, and retention pipelines to bring physicians, nurses, and health professionals into rural areas.
  • Invest and improve technology and infrastructure.

Immigration enforcement for dangerous criminals should absolutely be in the purview of Texas’ authority. However, let’s be clear, ICE needs to be abolished. malik williams

What role should, if any, Texas play in immigration enforcement?

Immigration enforcement for dangerous criminals should absolutely be in the purview of Texas’ authority. However, let’s be clear, ICE needs to be abolished. Armed agentsshould not be killing, deporting, nor detaining our friends, families, and neighbors. Weshould not be permitting private detention centers (concentration camps) to operate,especially as a hell on earth for people. Recent reports state these centers are havingmedical issues, abuse issues, that they have even lost track of rapes and deaths.Several agencies, with authority and accountability, are already securing our border. Further, to offer more support and security to these agencies and employees, a federalbill was suggested and then rejected by those on the right.

What are the legislative priorities for West Texas agriculture?

Our agriculture priorities should focus on water, hemp, and land. We are facing a water shortage that is going to require funding, technology, preservation, labor, and planning for over the next 10 years. Texas farmers are feeding this state, so we need to make sure they have the resources needed to continue operating. We should not be allowing data centers to use what limited water is available. We need to also promote the use and growth of hemp. Hemp can be used to create clothing, fuel, biodegradable plastics, and many other products. Hemp can be drought resistant, which can help farmers have a revenue source during droughts. We should also fight to restrict the purchase of Texas agricultural land by foreign adversaries like China, stop selling our land to corporations/corporate investors, and oppose regulatory overreach, limiting eminent domain abuses.

Election ‘26

Click here to see our Election ‘26 coverage including an article with voting locations.