Election 2024 Spotlight: Winning HD 118 for Working Texans

Kristian Carranza is making waves in her run to represent District 118 in the Texas House of Representatives, with a focus on strengthening public education. As a community organizer who grew up in Southside San Antonio, Carranza has firsthand experience with the struggles of working families, which has shaped her political platform.

A key pillar of Carranza's campaign is her opposition to school vouchers. She argues that these vouchers divert much-needed funding away from public schools, leaving them underfunded and unable to serve all students equally. Carranza advocates for fully funding public schools, increasing teacher salaries to retain talented educators, and expanding educational programs such as before- and after-school initiatives. She believes these programs are crucial for students, particularly those from low-income families, to have the same opportunities for success as their more affluent peers.

Carranza's stance is in sharp contrast to her opponent, Rep. John Lujan, who has expressed conditional support for vouchers, citing the need for private school accountability if such programs are to be implemented. Carranza, however, remains firm in her belief that vouchers are detrimental to public education and argues that the state's focus should be on improving existing schools rather than shifting funds away from them.

In the 88^th Legislature, his first session, Lujan's voting record speaks for itself:

• AGAINST a $10,000 across-the-board raise for educators

• FOR expanding privately run charter schools

• AGAINST a 10% COLA for retired educators

• FOR ending tenure in higher education

• FOR banning school library books

• FOR allowing uncertified chaplains to act as school counselors

Lujan was marked as present not voting on the Herrero Amendment to the state budget that would have barred the use of state funds for private school vouchers.

In addition to her focus on education, meanwhile, Carranza's platform includes broader progressive goals such as expanding Medicaid, combating gun violence, and addressing climate change, which she sees as intertwined with the well-being of Texas families. As a fresh face in politics with a long history of community activism, she promises to fight for the rights and needs of working families.

Her run for office represents an effort to bring new energy and progressive values to the state Legislature, particularly in support of public education and other issues that directly impact her community.

Even before she enters office, Carranza has proven herself a steadfast ally to public schools and our members, joining Texas AFT in September to announce our Educator's Bill of Rights and vowing to support it if elected.

Texas AFT asks all who care about Texas public schools to get in the fight now! Head to vote.texasaft.org for information on this November's election, as well as a list of Texas AFT COPE's current endorsements. Make your plan to vote, plug into volunteer opportunities, and donate to our political fund if you can.

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