I am humbled by the support I've received from a bipartisan coalition of my colleagues in the Texas House, and today I formally declare my candidacy for Speaker of the House.
I am running for Speaker to ensure that we have stability, civility, and integrity in the Texas House. The unprecedented challenges we face require a leader who can build consensus across the political aisle, across rural and urban communities, and across ideologies.
COVID-19 has reshaped the American landscape, and more than ever, we need healing, not strife. As Speaker, I will assemble a diverse coalition of leaders and work on behalf of all Texans to create a better tomorrow. Together we will bring our economy roaring back from this pandemic that has affected millions of Texans and thousands of small businesses across the state.
As members of the Texas House of Representatives, we are blessed to represent the most diverse communities in America, and each member and their districts will have a voice if I am elected Speaker. As the grandson of Mexican immigrants, the son of a migrant farmworker, and now the proud father of two daughters, I will work relentlessly to ensure that Texas is a beacon of cultural and gender equality.
Texas is stronger with diverse leadership, and women belong in seats of power in the Legislature. It is important to elevate women to positions of leadership so that all of our daughters have shining examples of the strength of Texas women.
When campaign season concludes Tuesday, it will be time for our body to go to work for the people of our state. We will face unprecedented budgetary challenges in this session. With a near-decade of experience in the budget process, including two-terms as Vice-Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, I will ensure that we fulfill our duties to Texas families, that our kids have a quality public education, and that our state increases access to healthcare for all Texans.
I will conduct this race with respect and decorum, attributes that have been hallmarks of my leadership style as a public servant. If elected to be the first bilingual Mexican-American Speaker to lead this body, I will set a tone that respects all backgrounds, cultures, and viewpoints. As a proud husband, I will ensure that we put Texas families first. I commit to House members that we will work in unity - not division - to build a better Texas for generations to come.
Editor's Note: The above guest column was penned by state Rep. Oscar Longoria of La Joya, Texas. It appears in The Rio Grande Guardian with the permission of the author. Rep. Longoria can be reached via email at: LongoriaForSpeaker@gmail.com.
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