Celina Montoya

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Celina Montoya

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 3, 2020

Education

High school

Alamo Heights High School

Bachelor's

Northwestern University, 2006

Personal

Profession

Business executive

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Campaign YouTube

Celina Montoya (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Texas House of Representatives to represent District 121. She lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.

Montoya completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Celina Montoya was born and lives in San Antonio, Texas. She graduated from Alamo Heights High School. She earned her bachelor's degree in journalism from Northwestern University in 2006. Montoya's career experience includes working as the vice president of community engagement with Alamo Fireworks, as a reporter and host for Texas Public Radio, and as co-founder and director of programs for Literacy San Antonio/SAReads. She is the co-chair of the Women & Girls Development Fund at the San Antonio Area Foundation, a board member of the San Antonio Public Library Foundation, a troop leader for the Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas, a member of the League of Women Voters, and a former president and sustaining member of the Junior League of San Antonio.

Elections

2020

See also: Texas House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for Texas House of Representatives District 121

Incumbent Steve Allison defeated Celina Montoya in the general election for Texas House of Representatives District 121 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Steve Allison (R)	53.5	50,367
		Celina Montoya (D)	46.5	43,863

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 94,230
= 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 121

Celina Montoya defeated Becca DeFelice and Jack Guerra in the Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 121 on March 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Celina Montoya	68.7	12,519
	Submit photo	Becca DeFelice	22.8	4,161
		Jack Guerra	8.5	1,555

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 18,235
= 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 121

Incumbent Steve Allison advanced from the Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 121 on March 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Steve Allison	100.0	13,130

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 13,130
= 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.

Endorsements

To view Montoya's endorsements in the 2020 election, please click here.

2018

See also: Texas House of Representatives elections, 2018

General election

General election for Texas House of Representatives District 121

Steve Allison defeated Celina Montoya and Mallory Olfers in the general election for Texas House of Representatives District 121 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Steve Allison (R)	53.2	38,843
		Celina Montoya (D)	44.7	32,679
	Submit photo	Mallory Olfers (L)	2.1	1,529

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 73,051
= 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 runoff election

Republican primary runoff for Texas House of Representatives District 121

Steve Allison defeated Matt Beebe in the Republican primary runoff for Texas House of Representatives District 121 on May 22, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Steve Allison	57.5	6,054
		Matt Beebe	42.5	4,482

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 10,536
= 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 121

Celina Montoya advanced from the Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 121 on March 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Celina Montoya	100.0	8,737

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 8,737
= 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 121

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 121 on March 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Matt Beebe	29.5	4,351
✔	Submit photo	Steve Allison	26.3	3,884
	Submit photo	Carlton Soules	13.2	1,945
	Submit photo	Charlotte Williamson	12.9	1,896
	Submit photo	Marc Whyte	12.3	1,821
		Adrian Spears	5.8	853

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 14,750
= 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

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Celina Montoya completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Montoya's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My mother raised us right here in House District 121. She taught all of us the lessons of hard work and sacrifice.

Because of her, I got my fair shot. I graduated from Northwestern University and returned to work for Texas Public Radio. Later, I helped create a non-profit, tackling our city's illiteracy rates, and I currently work with our family business.

I've always been committed to this community: volunteering as President of the Junior League, Co-Chair of the Women and Girls Development Fund, and on the board of the San Antonio Public Library Foundation, to name a few.

I've been fortunate to see life from different perspectives, and one thing is clear: people don't feel like they're getting a fair shot anymore.

We've had over 20 years of single-party control. It no longer meets the needs of Texans. We can expand Medicaid and protect the Affordable Care Act. We can fully fund our schools and invest in a robust economy, and we demand common sense legislation that works for all Texans.

This district is changing, and it's time our leadership changed, too. If elected, I'd be the first Democrat, the first Latina, and the youngest person to represent 121.

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?

• For more than 20 years, Texas has had a single, static vision. It no longer meets the needs of Texans today. Too many of us are uninsured, underemployed, and unsure what the future will bring. We need leadership that looks beyond maintaining the status quo and is looking to the future. I'm a mom raising the future of Texas, I'm a busines-owner working to make it out there, and I'm a leader with a track record of putting people before politics. It's just what I've always done: from my work establishing a nonprofit working on literacy, to my efforts serving as a volunteer and leader in this community. It's time we had leaders who put people first, who commit to expanding Medicaid and protecting Texas families, not special interests.
• I was raised by a single-mother whose work-ethic and skills enabled her to start a business cleaning houses. She instilled in me that same work ethic and belief that there is dignity in all forms of work. Because of her, I got my fair shot, but we didn't do it alone. Our community, especially our public school, was a resource for us. Everyone deserves to go to a public school that gives them the same shot mine did. This means the state has to do more than increase school funding and combine it with a property tax cut. We need a sustainable plan to fund our schools, support our teachers, and give home-owners real tax relief. I have the experience and acumen to make sustainable plans and equitable strategies.
• This pandemic has shown us that the same rigid thinking won't prepare us to uphold our responsibilites to the people of Texas to educate our children, provide Texans with affordable healthcare, or create jobs. We need new leadership with proven experience in new ventures and partnerships with the community. I've done the hard work of creating these partnerships and working in collaboration with real results.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

My mom worked hard to stay in our childhood home, often cleaning houses to make ends meet. Why? Because our neighborhood public school had the resources and reputation of sending its graduates to college. But your zip code shouldn't determine your future success, especially in a city like San Antonio, currently rated one of the most economically segregated cities in America. Property tax values and historically under-funded schools have gone hand-in-hand for generations in Texas, and the result is inter-generational poverty and sky-rocketing property taxes. It's time we had leaders who look at education funding as responsibility to be shared equally by the state, and who invests in public schools and teachers first. I spent the early part of my career working in under-funded schools, finding solutions to meet the needs of their teachers and students. It takes leadership to do what's hard, not what's politically expedient. We need leadership now more than ever, leadership to protect public school funding and make healthcare more accessible and more affordable, and to step aside and let the people decide, not special interests. As the most uninsured state in the country, Texas has an opportunity to only do better when it comes to the health and well-being of its people, that means expanding Medicaid and protecting the Affordable Care Act and those with preexisting conditions. When we redraw the lines of representation it needs to be the people who decide, not politicians.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

One of the things I learned early on and continued to hone through my education and practice as a journalist was the importance of critical thinking and objectivity. These traits have served me well because they have also taught me the importance of listening first and then asking questions. The role of representative is about representing others and their interests, which may not always be in alignment with my own personal views. This is where objectivity allows me to be an ardent and effective leader. The legislature can be particularly swift and yet also heavily procedural. Having the ability to drill down to the critical elements and also be mindful of details is a talent I've gained in conducting research and in conveying my findings. This role isn't just about having a head for policy, it's also about having a heart for service. Even when we had little for ourselves, my mother always encouraged us to give where it's needed and as much as we can, often that was in the form of our time. As a lifelong volunteer, I appreciate the effort and advocacy of those who present themselves and their ideas to the legislature. As a lifelong servant leader, I understand the importance of maintaining an open mind, an open heart, and an open door.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I was only about 6 or 7 years old when I first became aware of this conflict called "Desert Storm". It sounded far-off and full of frenzy. I remember seeing soldiers on tv in fatigues that weren't the typical green camo we associate with them. Instead they were dressed in tans with patches of dark brown and faded green. I remember seeing on the nightly news: bright orange fires blazing, fueled by the oil beneath them. I remember another student from school, another first-grader, crying and rushing through the breezeway into their father's arms. He was wearing those tan fatigues. I remember thinking these things aren't as far-off as they seem. Now, as an adult and as someone who hails from San Antonio, a.k.a., "Military City USA", I always remember that when one service member serves, the entire family serves and they all sacrifice.

What is your favorite book? Why?

I read a lot of nonfiction, but a novel I come back to time and again is Betty Smith's, "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn." It's accessible and beautifully written where even things that could be considered ugly or lewd are given attention and consideration. It's a story that a lot of people who have had to "get by on their wits" and who have a "penchant for hard work" can relate to. It's fiction, but it's not a fairy tale. It looks at life, family, and individual fragility and strength with realness and humanity, it shows compassion and love. The story follows a young girl who grows up in an impoverished household, but her love of learning leads her to experience life and provides opportunity for her family. It's a snapshot of a family in a time and place in history where things are changing, that also manages to capture universal and timeless experiences.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

It's time we put an end to partisan gerrymandering. It needs to be the people who choose their representatives, not the politicians. Texas can be relied upon to redraw district lines, as it has done in the past, that fly in the face of the people. This is why it's imperative to have representatives who support an independent, nonpartisan redistricting commission, utilizing good Census data and models that maintain the integrity of communities keeping in mind the geographic, cultural, and racial representation. We cannot continue to "pack" one kind of demographic into one district in an effort to concentrate their voice in one area and reduce their influence nor can we continue to "crack" districts to the extent that voters may be spread so far a part as to never have any sufficient voice at all. Bias is measurably at work in redistricting and it must stop. An unbiased, independent redistricting body will only work so long as the legislature doesn't take away its authority, insists on transparency, and resist the urge to make it toothless.

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

2020 Elections

What's on the ballot? U.S. President U.S. Congress U.S. Congress special elections State executives State legislatures State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards Election analysis hub

Government

Who represents me? U.S. Congress State executives State legislators State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards

Newsletters

Coronavirus Weekly Updates Documenting America's Path to Recovery The Heart of the Primaries The Daily Brew The Weekly Brew The Ballot Bulletin Checks and Balances Economy and Society Hall Pass Number of the Day Robe & Gavel Union Station

External links

• Search Google News for this topic
• Campaign website
• Campaign Facebook page
• Campaign Twitter page
• Texas Legislature website

Footnotes

[show]

Current members of the Texas House of Representatives

Leadership

Speaker of the House:Dustin Burrows

Representatives

District 1

Gary VanDeaver (R)

District 2

Brent Money (R)

District 3

Cecil Bell (R)

District 4

Keith Bell (R)

District 5

Cole Hefner (R)

District 6

Daniel Alders (R)

District 7

Jay Dean (R)

District 8

Cody Harris (R)

District 9

Trent Ashby (R)

District 10

Brian Harrison (R)

District 11

Joanne Shofner (R)

District 12

Trey Wharton (R)

District 13

Angelia Orr (R)

District 14

Paul Dyson (R)

District 15

Steve Toth (R)

District 16

Will Metcalf (R)

District 17

Stan Gerdes (R)

District 18

Janis Holt (R)

District 19

Ellen Troxclair (R)

District 20

Terry Wilson (R)

District 21

Dade Phelan (R)

District 22

Christian Manuel (D)

District 23

Terri Leo-Wilson (R)

District 24

Greg Bonnen (R)

District 25

Cody Vasut (R)

District 26

Matt Morgan (R)

District 27

Ron Reynolds (D)

District 28

Gary Gates (R)

District 29

Jeffrey Barry (R)

District 30

A.J. Louderback (R)

District 31

Ryan Guillen (R)

District 32

Todd Hunter (R)

District 33

Katrina Pierson (R)

District 34

Denise Villalobos (R)

District 35

Oscar Longoria (D)

District 36

Sergio Munoz (D)

District 37

Janie Lopez (R)

District 38

Erin Gamez (D)

District 39

Armando Martinez (D)

District 40

Terry Canales (D)

District 41

Robert Guerra (D)

District 42

Richard Raymond (D)

District 43

J.M. Lozano (R)

District 44

Alan Schoolcraft (R)

District 45

Erin Zwiener (D)

District 46

Sheryl Cole (D)

District 47

Vikki Goodwin (D)

District 48

Donna Howard (D)

District 49

Gina Hinojosa (D)

District 50

James Talarico (D)

District 51

Maria Luisa Flores (D)

District 52

Caroline Harris (R)

District 53

Wesley Virdell (R)

District 54

Brad Buckley (R)

District 55

Hillary Hickland (R)

District 56

Pat Curry (R)

District 57

Richard Hayes (R)

District 58

Helen Kerwin (R)

District 59

Shelby Slawson (R)

District 60

Mike Olcott (R)

District 61

Keresa Richardson (R)

District 62

Shelley Luther (R)

District 63

Ben Bumgarner (R)

District 64

Andy Hopper (R)

District 65

Mitch Little (R)

District 66

Matt Shaheen (R)

District 67

Jeff Leach (R)

District 68

David Spiller (R)

District 69

James Frank (R)

District 70

Mihaela Plesa (D)

District 71

Stan Lambert (R)

District 72

Drew Darby (R)

District 73

Carrie Isaac (R)

District 74

Eddie Morales (D)

District 75

Mary Gonzalez (D)

District 76

Suleman Lalani (D)

District 77

Vincent Perez (D)

District 78

Joseph Moody (D)

District 79

Claudia Ordaz (D)

District 80

Don McLaughlin (R)

District 81

Brooks Landgraf (R)

District 82

Tom Craddick (R)

District 83

Dustin Burrows (R)

District 84

Carl Tepper (R)

District 85

Stan Kitzman (R)

District 86

John Smithee (R)

District 87

Caroline Fairly (R)

District 88

Ken King (R)

District 89

Candy Noble (R)

District 90

Ramon Romero (D)

District 91

David Lowe (R)

District 92

Salman Bhojani (D)

District 93

Nate Schatzline (R)

District 94

Tony Tinderholt (R)

District 95

Nicole Collier (D)

District 96

David Cook (R)

District 97

John McQueeney (R)

District 98

Giovanni Capriglione (R)

District 99

Charlie Geren (R)

District 100

Venton Jones (D)

District 101

Chris Turner (D)

District 102

Ana-Maria Ramos (D)

District 103

Rafael Anchia (D)

District 104

Jessica Gonzalez (D)

District 105

Terry Meza (D)

District 106

Jared Patterson (R)

District 107

Linda Garcia (D)

District 108

Morgan Meyer (R)

District 109

Aicha Davis (D)

District 110

Toni Rose (D)

District 111

Yvonne Davis (D)

District 112

Angie Button (R)

District 113

Rhetta Bowers (D)

District 114

John Bryant (D)

District 115

Cassandra Garcia Hernandez (D)

District 116

Trey Fischer (D)

District 117

Philip Cortez (D)

District 118

John Lujan (R)

District 119

Elizabeth Campos (D)

District 120

Barbara Gervin-Hawkins (D)

District 121

Marc LaHood (R)

District 122

Mark Dorazio (R)

District 123

Diego Bernal (D)

District 124

Josey Garcia (D)

District 125

Ray Lopez (D)

District 126

Sam Harless (R)

District 127

Charles Cunningham (R)

District 128

Briscoe Cain (R)

District 129

Dennis Paul (R)

District 130

Tom Oliverson (R)

District 131

Alma Allen (D)

District 132

Mike Schofield (R)

District 133

Mano Deayala (R)

District 134

Ann Johnson (D)

District 135

Jon Rosenthal (D)

District 136

John Bucy (D)

District 137

Gene Wu (D)

District 138

Lacey Hull (R)

District 139

Charlene Ward Johnson (D)

District 140

Armando Walle (D)

District 141

Senfronia Thompson (D)

District 142

Harold Dutton (D)

District 143

Ana Hernandez (D)

District 144

Mary Perez (D)

District 145

Christina Morales (D)

District 146

Lauren Simmons (D)

District 147

Jolanda Jones (D)

District 148

Penny Shaw (D)

District 149

Hubert Vo (D)

District 150

Valoree Swanson (R)

Republican Party (88)

Democratic Party (62)