Texas is holding elections, including for school boards and city council, on May 6, 2023. A number of candidates running in these elections completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office.
Below is a selection of responses from the candidates who filled out the survey as of April 17. To read each candidate’s full responses, click their name at the bottom of the article.
Incumbent Jennifer Murphy (nonpartisan) is running for Northwest Independent School District school board Place 7 and the general election is on May 6. Here’s how Murphy responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
“I believe that good public schools are the foundation for strong communities and strong families — and I take the responsibility and trust placed in me very seriously. It is an honor to represent our students, families, and staff. My top priorities are: Classroom Success, … Financial Accountability, … Serving with Integrity, … Future Planning.”
Click here to read the rest of Murphy’s answers.
Denise Benavides (nonpartisan) is running for Dallas City Council District 3 and the general election is on May 6. Here’s how Benavides responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
“I want District 3 to be united and to move forward. We need leadership that will listen to our concerns. I am the Candidate that will make sure that we are heard and seen. I will be constant with our communication in both Spanish and English. I will have community meetings to update the people on issues coming to city council for a vote. I will work on bringing quality jobs and I will move District 3 forward.”
Click here to read the rest of Benavides’ answers.
Katherine Chan Goodwin (nonpartisan) is running for Plano Independent School District school board Place 7 and the general election is on May 6. Here’s how Chan Goodwin responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
“Finance. As someone with a quarter century of experience being a Treasurer for multiple PTAs and non-profits, I am deeply concerned with Plano ISD’s $¾ billion budget, its almost $40 million deficit, and ensuring that recapture payments to the state don’t force our schools to make painful cuts to services.”
Click here to read the rest of Chan Goodwin’s answers.
Laura Stanford (nonpartisan) is running for Judson Independent School District At-large District 6 and the general election is on May 6. Here’s how Stanford responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
“I have found that what I am most passionate about is speaking to the recipients of public policy — students, parents, teachers, staff, taxpayers — about how they are being impacted by those policies. Are they working? Are policies/programs that sounded great upon approval proving in reality to be ineffective or even detrimental? Is the entity that is supposed to serve you, in this case the district, succeeding or failing in performing as needed? From feedback I have received, it sounds like we could benefit from more of a customer service approach to our constituents.”
Click here to read the rest of Stanford’s answers.
If you’re a Texas candidate or incumbent, click here to take the survey. The survey contains over 30 questions, and you can choose the ones you feel will best represent your views to voters. If you complete the survey, a box with your answers will display on your Ballotpedia profile. Your responses will also populate the information that appears in our mobile app, My Vote Ballotpedia.
Additional reading: