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Andrew Morris
Andrew Morris (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Texas House of Representatives to represent District 64. Morris lost in the general election on November 6, 2018.
Morris completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2018. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Andrew Morris was born in Yorkshire, England. He earned bachelor's degrees in history and political science from Monash University in 2007, a bachelor's degree in history from the University of North Texas in 2009, and a master's degree in history and professional and technical communication from the University of North Texas in 2015. Morris' career experience includes working as a proposal/technical writer with Fujitsu Defense and National Security. In December 2017, he began working as a proposal writer for Tyler Technologies[1]
Elections
2018
General election
General election for Texas House of Representatives District 64
Incumbent Lynn Stucky defeated Andrew Morris and Nick Dietrich in the general election for Texas House of Representatives District 64 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Lynn Stucky (R) | 52.8 | 36,239 |
 | Andrew Morris (D)  | 44.5 | 30,535 | |
| Nick Dietrich (L) | 2.7 | 1,852 | ||
| Total votes: 68,626 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary runoff election
Democratic primary runoff for Texas House of Representatives District 64
Andrew Morris defeated Mat Pruneda in the Democratic primary runoff for Texas House of Representatives District 64 on May 22, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Andrew Morris | 54.0 | 1,549 |
 | Mat Pruneda | 46.0 | 1,318 | |
| Total votes: 2,867 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 64
Mat Pruneda and Andrew Morris advanced to a runoff. They defeated Matt Farmer in the Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 64 on March 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mat Pruneda | 41.7 | 3,063 |
| ✔ | | Andrew Morris | 38.7 | 2,842 |
| Matt Farmer | 19.7 | 1,445 | ||
| Total votes: 7,350 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 64
Incumbent Lynn Stucky defeated Mark Roy in the Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 64 on March 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Lynn Stucky | 64.3 | 8,575 |
 | Mark Roy | 35.7 | 4,754 | |
| Total votes: 13,329 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Andrew Morris completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Morris' responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
Public School funding & Property Taxes Healthcare Climate Change & the Environment
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Education and healthcare - the twin foundations of a health, productive, and prosperous society. Texas can do better and that starts with better legislative leadership from our Representatives.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
There are numerous political leaders that I admire - Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Lyndon Johnson, Barbara Jordan, Barack Obama, and Beto O'Rourke. All these leaders had the courage of their convictions and guided their countries through difficult periods but never lost sight of why they were elected and what they wanted to accomplish. They are role models, leaders, and legislators that I hope to emulate when elected.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Honesty and integrity are vital, but the foundation of any effective legislator must be empathy. Without empathy, we cannot effectively lead nor acknowledge the challenges and difficulties our constituents face on a daily basis - and look to us as leaders to provide the tools and opportunities to improve their situation.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I'm empathetic, a good listener and collaborator. We miss legislators who listen then respond, rather than speak and dictate. My educational background gives me a foundation to fully explore possible policies, and the knowledge to implement them to the best of our ability.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
The office I seek has a significant role on Texans' everyday lives. We set the state's budget, which includes funding our schools, and oversees one of the world's top-ten economies. But more than that, the most important aspect of this office remains speaking with constituents, learning of their challenges and difficulties, sharing their triumphs, and being a legislator who is of the people, governing for the people, with the people.
What legacy would you like to leave?
I would like my legacy to be two-fold: first, to get more Texans engaged and active in their local communities and local politics. There's nothing more important, and we have the ability to have an impact - should we wish to seize it. Second, I would like to inspire the next generation of leaders to step up, as I'm stepping up, to be part of their community and to be a community leader. The best way to avoid politics stagnating and lacking achievements is a frequent turnover of legislators who bring fresh perspectives and unique ideas to government.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
I barely remember some of the coverage of the fall of the Berlin Wall. As the Soviet Union collapsed, I remember the TV footage of Germans celebrating as they tore down that wall. I was born in the UK, so my earliest English memory is of John Major becoming UK Prime Minister after unseating Margaret Thatcher in the early 1990s.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
My first job was as a checkout clerk and cart collection boy in the UK for a supermarket called J Sainsbury's. I started there when I was 16, and remained there until I moved to Australia a year-and-a-half later.
What happened on your most awkward date?
I'm fortunate that I haven't really had an awkward date, but I did have an awkward time asking a girl who I liked out on a date - she had a high school locker near me, and we had a couple of classes together. I wrote her a note and left it by her locker one afternoon. She never spoke to me again, but the lesson I took is - nothing given, nothing gained.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
I am a huge supporter and advocate of labor unions, as they were integral in building a thriving middle class. For that reason - celebrating unions and their gains - my favorite holiday is Labor Day in September. It's also usually perfect weather, and we're able to truly spend time with family in a low-stress, low-expectations manner.
What is your favorite book? Why?
I'm a massive Star Wars fan, so anything from the Expanded Universe (now Legends) series grabs my attention. I particularly enjoyed the Legacy of the Force series as it provided a more realistic and compelling story in the Star Wars Universe. It showed the challenges, concerns, and pressure that leadership brings - and how outcomes are often surprising, no matter how well you plan.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
I would really enjoy the analytical and fast mind of someone like Sherlock Holmes; able to deduce and figure out every little issue from astute observation and keen eye for detail.
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
We recently moved into a new home with a gas range and stove. I love to cook, as it's one of my ways to relax. After almost a decade without a gas range and stove, I'm thrilled to finally be able to cook with gas.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
Frank Turner's "Be More Kind" - it's a song that resonates with me more and more in these hyper-partisan times. It's a simple message that if more of us lived, the world would be a kinder, happier place. "Between things that can and can't be said We've stopped talking to each other And there's something wrong with that So before you go out searching Don't decide what you will find Be more kind, my friends, try to be more kind"
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
An ongoing struggle is balancing my political aspirations with my home life. As a new Dad to a three-month-old, every evening spent campaigning is an evening away from her and my wife, and that's been a real challenge. Ultimately, ensuring that my daughter has a future is important - and it also makes those precious cuddles all the more precious and rewarding.
Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?
The ideological split and difficulty resolving differences between the two chambers. This is where fostering relationships and forming strong working relationships is so important.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
Yes and no: while previous experience can help inform and shape someone's viewpoint and ability to pass legislation, it can also create a bubble that loses wider perspectives. The broader the spectrum of experience - not just in government, but across different lives, the more effective our legislature can be as we can utilize the variety of experiences to pass more effective legislation that helps more Texans.
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
Texas' immediate challenge are to adequately fund our public schools, reform our residential property tax assessments, and address our increasing healthcare costs. Beyond that, we must address climate change, especially in terms of our water management and water conservation.
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
One of respect and spirit of collaboration. Regardless from which side of the aisle you come from, both legislature and governor should aim to work together on common goals to best serve Texas constituents - and at times, when necessary, act as a check on the governor's power.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
Absolutely. In a 150-member body, such as the Texas House, legislator relationships are key to passing legislation, earning committee assignments, and working as a collaborative body to pass the best legislation we can. If legislators cannot form relationships with one another, then we become isolated and unable to govern effectively.
What process do you favor for redistricting?
A nonpartisan, independent commission that draws tough, but fair districts. Politicians should not be in the business of drawing their own district lines: the more competitive districts we have, the better and more effective our politics will be.
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
Committees that deal with technology, education, healthcare, or the environment would be assignments I would pursue as a Representative
If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?
If elected, I would like to be a part of the party leadership. While it would not be something I would actively pursue immediately, it would be something I would prepare for if the opportunities arose.
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
Bernie Sanders (I-VT). As someone who hews close to his political beliefs, I admire his tenacity and ability to offer bold policy prescriptions for the most urgent needs and challenges of our time. I'm proud to be endorsed by the organization he helped found, Our Revolution. I hope I can live up to his example.
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
While I'm focused on my current race right now, I would never say never about a possible future run for another office.
Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?
There are two stories that have remained with me while I've been campaigning, and both highlight the urgent need for healthcare reform. One time I was out campaigning, going door-to-door when I spoke with a family who imported much-needed prescriptions from India because it was far cheaper than the insurance or no-insurance costs of medicine in the US. Another family have spent thousands of dollars on a variety of specialists and facilities to get the mental healthcare their son and grandson desperately needs. In both situations, the current healthcare system is letting them down and that's why reforming healthcare and making it more affordable and accessible are among my top priorities for the next legislative session.
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.
See also
- State legislative elections, 2018
- Texas House of Representatives elections, 2018
- State legislative special elections, 2018
- Texas House of Representatives
- Texas State Legislature
External links
- Search Google News for this topic
- Campaign website
- Campaign Facebook page
- Campaign Twitter page
- Campaign Instagram page
- Texas Legislature website
Footnotes
