Education is the top priority for two candidates who will be in a run-off election for Texas House District 118. A Republican businessman and Democratic school board member survived the six-way race and will face off to fill the seat being vacated by Rep. Joe Farias, a democrat.
Republican John Lujan captured 29 percent of the early vote and kept that lead through election night. He’s
one of six candidates who wanted to represent the southern and eastern portions of Bexar County in the Texas House. Lujan says he wants to break the cycle of poverty by teaching technology in the schools.
“I don’t believe that we have a good vision for our education system. The answer is always throwing money. I’m telling you that’s not the answer, the answer is a proper vision and then working toward that vision to prepare our children for these jobs of tomorrow.”
With 22 percent of the vote, Harlendale school board member Tomas Uresti will compete with Lujan in the runoff. He supports reforming the school finance system and also wants to increase the state’s minimum wage.
“If we could do across the board throughout the entire state, I think 13 dollars per hour would be a good starting point for Texas. Because we bring in so much money to the entire united states, I think Texas would be a good starting ground for the rest of the country to follow.”
Both candidates say they wish to continue the efforts of retiring Rep. Joe Farias who worked to protect veterans’ rights. The run-off is on Jan. 19. The candidate who wins that election will have to defend his seat again two months later in the March primary.
