Both of the candidates running in the March 5, 2024, Democratic primary for Texas’ 12th Congressional District — Sebastian Gehrig (D) and Trey Hunt (D) — completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office.
Here are the candidates’ responses to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Gehrig:
“LGBTQ Rights: As a proud member of the LGBTQ community, I am committed to advocating for equal rights, protection against discrimination, and broader acceptance. I believe in creating policies that support the LGBTQ community in areas like healthcare, employment, and legal recognition.
Fiscal Responsibility: My background in finance has instilled in me a strong belief in the importance of fiscal responsibility. I am dedicated to ensuring that government spending is efficient, transparent, and accountable, with an emphasis on reducing wasteful expenditure and optimizing the use of taxpayer dollars.
Government Accountability: I firmly believe in the need for greater accountability in government. Public officials should be held to the highest ethical standards, and there must be robust mechanisms in place to ensure transparency and accountability in all aspects of governance.
Protecting Women’s Rights: Women’s rights are human rights, and I am committed to protecting and advancing these rights. This includes advocating for equal pay, reproductive rights, and policies that address and prevent gender-based violence.
Immigration and Border Security: I believe in a balanced approach to immigration that ensures border security while also providing a fair and humane treatment of immigrants.”
Hunt:
“I am deeply committed to the enhancement of public transportation, recognizing its pivotal role in shaping individuals’ upward mobility. Extensive research underscores that access to transportation stands as the foremost determinant of a person’s ability to improve their socio-economic standing. In the context of the growing population density in CD-12, strategic investments in infrastructure are imperative. The focus should be on developing systems that decrease reliance on individual vehicles, fostering the creation of walkable communities.
This multifaceted approach not only facilitates easier mobility for residents but also bears additional advantages. By reducing the number of vehicles on the road, we simultaneously alleviate the strain on infrastructure, mitigating wear and tear on roads. This contributes to a more sustainable urban environment, ensuring that those who still choose personal vehicles experience reduced congestion and smoother commuting. Furthermore, there’s a substantial positive impact on the environment, with a decrease in the carbon footprint as a result of reduced vehicular emissions.
Advocating for the expansion of public transportation is a comprehensive strategy that not only addresses mobility challenges but also promotes sustainability, community walkability, and the overall well-being of CD-12 residents. This approach aligns with a vision of urban development that prioritizes efficiency and environmental responsibility.”
Click on the candidates’ profile pages below to read their full responses to this and other questions.
We ask all federal, state, and local candidates with profiles on Ballotpedia to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Ask the candidates in your area to fill out the survey.
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