Texas House of Representatives District 38 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Texas, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Texas House of Representatives District 38 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

• Click here to see candidates and election results.
• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

The general election was canceled. Erin Gamez (D) won without appearing on the ballot.

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Erin Gamez (D)

I will fight for competitive wages. I am committed to creating the first skilled labor task force in south Texas. The Texas AFL-CIO has endorsed me because they value my committment to our hard working laborers.

I stand with educators. Now, more than ever, our educator need our help. Multiple teachers organizations, including the TAFT, TSTA, TVEA, and AOBE have endorsed our campaign because they know I will fight for the cost of living increase our teachers deserve.

I stand with small businesses. As a small, family-owned business owner myself, I know the hardships government can place on your business. I am committed to making Brownsville a destination for small business growth and sucess.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Erin Gamez (D)

Even though we may not talk about it, I would be hard-pressed to find a citizen in District 38 who has not been personally affected by a family member or friend who has suffered from mental health issues or an intellectual disability.

I am honored to have been selected to be the appointed criminal defense attorney for Cameron County’s 1st Mental Health Diversion Court. I represent all individuals with a qualifying mental health diagnosis who are accused of a misdemeanor or non-aggravated felony. I work hand-in-hand with our local mental health authority, Texas Tropical Behavioral Health, to provide the necessary access to healthcare and medication for our participants in need. I work hand-in-hand with the Cameron County District Attorney’s Office and Probation Officers to ensure our participants receive the necessary guidance and structure they need to thrive and become employed members of our society. I am so pleased to see the numerous successful participants that graduate from our program receive not only a dismissal of their charges, but the necessary life skills they need to be successful members of our community. Together, I know that our program is helping save lives, enhancing the welfare of our community, and compassionately helping individuals learn to navigate their mental health.

I will continue to fight for more funding for the jail diversion programs and long-term placement facilities for our community members in need.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Erin Gamez (D)

Ethics, honesty, and integrity are the three most important characteristics for an elected official to possess.

See also

More about these elections:

• Texas House of Representatives elections, 2022

Select a district below to read responses from candidates in those races:

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