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Crystal Dillard
From Ballotpedia
This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Crystal Dillard (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Texas House of Representatives to represent District 131. She lost in the Democratic primary on March 1, 2022.
Dillard completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Crystal Dillard was born in Houston, Texas. She earned a bachelor's degree from Texas Woman's University in 1986. Her career experience includes working as a history teacher and as a principal in family-owned businesses. Dillard has been affiliated with the Jones Memorial United Methodist Church Health and Wellness Ministry and the American Federation of Teachers.[1]
Elections
2022
See also: Texas House of Representatives elections, 2022
General election
General election for Texas House of Representatives District 131
Incumbent Alma Allen defeated Gerry Monroe in the general election for Texas House of Representatives District 131 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Alma Allen (D) | 80.5 | 25,066 |
 | Gerry Monroe (R)  | 19.5 | 6,063 | |
| Total votes: 31,129 | |||
| = 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 131
Incumbent Alma Allen defeated James Guillory and Crystal Dillard in the Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 131 on March 1, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Alma Allen | 54.3 | 4,741 |
 | James Guillory | 32.2 | 2,813 | |
 | Crystal Dillard | 13.4 | 1,171 | |
| Total votes: 8,725 | |||
| = 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 131
Gerry Monroe advanced from the Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 131 on March 1, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Gerry Monroe | 100.0 | 1,391 |
| Total votes: 1,391 | |||
| = 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 finance
Campaign themes
2022
Video for Ballotpedia
| Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released July 27, 2021 |
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Crystal Dillard completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Dillard's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I am a native Houstonian, a proud product of Houston schools, and an honored graduate of Texas Woman’s University.
I grew up in the Sunnyside neighborhood of Houston, Texas. I graduated high school from St. Agnes Academy in 1982 and received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Texas Woman’s University in 1986 with a Journalism major. Vanessa Williams, the first African-American Miss America, made an indelible impression on me, and I entered the Miss Houston USA pageant. I eventually became the 4th Runner Up to Miss Texas USA in 1986 and have coached numerous young women to pageant success in subsequent years. After working at the United Way as a Campaign Coordinator, I became the Director of the Miss Gulf Coast USA Pageant. I have also been a co-founder of two family businesses, Hannibal Men’s Specialty Apparel and The REJOICE! Television Network. In the year 2000, I decided to follow in the footsteps of my family of educators. I began work in the Pearland Independent School District and have worked in the Houston Independent School District for a total of 15 years of dedicated service. I currently teach Social Studies and U.S. History at Yolanda Black Navarro Middle School. I pride myself on being an inspirational, forthright, and caring educator.
I acknowledge that I stand on the shoulders of giants, and in running for Texas State Representative of District 131, I am eager to give back to the residents of this district all that I received throughout my lifetime.- Supporting education is the most important element in shaping the future of Texas as a diverse, forward-moving, prosperous state.
- I will work to build strong Law Enforcement/Community partnerships that will bring the crime rate down and improve the quality of life for all Texans. I will also work to provide re-entry opportunities for those Texans that have been formerly incarcerated and have paid their debt to society. These individuals provide an eager workforce that will contribute to the success of our state, and to our economy.
- I will fight for Texans' rights to voting access, quality healthcare, reproductive choice and equity in opportunity, regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation.
My passion is education! As a lifelong learner and classroom teacher by vocation, I delivered U.S. History lessons to students whose concerns were much more in step with figuring out how they were going to eat, where they would sleep, or if they would even have a home to return to when school ended, than learning about the founding fathers! Yet, education and educators have been on the defensive as of late. Our top priority should be to provide an honest education to students with respect to learning how our diverse state has overcome past challenges, while building a future that is a shining example of 21st century growth and prosperity.
Our community, our city, our state, and our country has undergone a tremendous metamorphosis in recent years. We’ve come together to meet urgent challenges, but moreover, we’ve faced some realizations of circumstance that have left us polarized in many ways as Americans. For as much as we’ve gained throughout our short history as a nation, we can all agree that there is definitely room to grow in terms of ensuring life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all. We can do this District 131. We can do this Harris County. We can do this Texas!
Our community, our city, our state, and our country has undergone a tremendous metamorphosis in recent years. We’ve come together to meet urgent challenges, but moreover, we’ve faced some realizations of circumstance that have left us polarized in many ways as Americans. For as much as we’ve gained throughout our short history as a nation, we can all agree that there is definitely room to grow in terms of ensuring life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all. We can do this District 131. We can do this Harris County. We can do this Texas!
I believe that myself or anyone elected to this office has a tremendous responsibility to their constituents. However, some of these responsibilities are difficult. It is difficult, but necessary, to be honest when the truth is unpopular. It is difficult but necessary, to be empathetic to those whom society shuns and scapegoats. It is difficult, but necessary, to be uncomfortable temporarily for the potential good of society as a whole. A legislator has the responsibility to see a Texas House seat as a vehicle to generate the greatest amount of good for constituents in the time served. A House seat should never be seen as a principality to be handed to a "groomed" successor and it should never be seen through the lens of what it may garner for the legislator. Holding a government office is a privilege. The people of the great state of Texas own every seat in the Statehouse, regardless of rank. A legislator should always be cognizant of the responsibility of being not an owner, but an occupant of the People's seat of honor. I will hold that responsibility sacrosanct.
I would like to leave a legacy of character, and of service to the people I represent. I am a full-time classroom teacher and have done that job proudly for 15 years. As education is the bedrock of preparing our children for an increasingly technological age, I would like to include young people in many meaningful positions within my office. I would also encourage other legislators to take a hard look at their activities when not in session. If a legislator has a background as an educator, be a substitute teacher in a school in an underserved community. Sit in on classes and observe the rigors and realities of the average classroom teacher in 2022. If a legislator is a businessperson, create internships where young people who may not have legacies and connections, can assist and learn about business. If a legislator is in the military, an athlete, a health professional, or in any one of hundreds of professions represented in the Texas Statehouse, be a mentor to a young person. GIVE BACK! A helping hand, a kind word of encouragement, a good deed done without fanfare or accolades to the giver is an indication of character, and a model of service to constituents. That model of character and service is the legacy I will leave.
My first job was as a 15-year-old high school intern at KYOK Radio in Houston, Texas. The position actually didn't exist! Yet, I wanted to learn Broadcasting so badly that I talked my way into an interview with legendary Houston radio host, Rick Roberts, who happened to be the father of my schoolmates. He took a chance on me based on my sheer audacity and enthusiasm! I learned production, wrote copy for advertisements, and even did on-air promos. I enjoyed it immensely and excelled at my first foray into Journalism. As a summer internship, it was a three-month introduction to my eventual major of Broadcast Journalism at Texas Woman's University. I will forever be grateful to Rick Roberts, and I try to pass along that same kind of opportunity to young people with similar drive, enthusiasm and, yes, audacity!
My favorite book is "Oh the Places You'll Go", by Dr. Seuss. I received this book as I was leaving a corporate position and getting ready to start our family-owned company, Hannibal Men's Specialty Apparel. This is probably one of the most popular books given for graduations, and rightly so. It is truly an analogy for life. I related in so many ways to the small creature who climbed mountains, went into valleys, met strange birds, and sat in the "Waiting Place". I believe we often think of life as a series of steps upward. Yet it is more often a winding, dipping, climbing road that sometimes stops and restarts, straightens and curves, zigs and zags. This is exactly why "Oh the Places You'll Go" has a special place in my library. Acknowledging that a person may start at one place in life, and end up in a very different, often better place is acknowledging the presence of absolute faith in the journey. An old saying goes, "There is only one path to now". If one twist or turn or millisecond of my path was changed, I might not be on this very exciting journey from the "Schoolhouse to the Statehouse". Yet, like the small Seussian creature, I'm determined to relish every minute, indeed. (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)
Absolutely not! The wider the frame of reference among policy makers, the better. Government and politics are interests that are similar to a single lane highway in a large metropolis with many on and off ramps. The intricacies of legislating, from building bipartisan coalitions, to understanding "Roberts Rules of Order" are within the grasp of many people, regardless of background. However, I do believe that a desire to honestly and compassionately be a benefit to those one represents, without regard to personal interest, is the most important quality one can have as a representative. That quality transcends government and politics, and wholly depends on the character of the individual.
I believe that the only TRULY fair way to redistrict is to form a bipartisan committee of legislators, with an equivalent number of members representing both parties. That committee should draw districts based on demographic representation that has been revealed in the most current Census. Texas is one of the most diverse states in the country, yet voices from an exploding population of diverse communities are being diluted to preserve the current hierarchy. This brings to mind history's most recent heinous example of unfair representation, Apartheid. We, as a nation and as a world, have learned that struggling to maintain the status quo, against all balance and reason, is like trying to stop a moving train. Fair and equitable representation, regardless of the political outcome, should always be the primary goal of redistricting.
I recently visited constituents of the district for which I am running and have disappointed by the unsolicited comments I have been hearing. Disappointed, because there seems to be a common thread that politicians show up to civic groups, churches and businesses when they want your vote, and are never seen again for YEARS! There may be a prevailing thought among those running for office that doing so will win votes, when in fact it has the opposite effect. Voters are very smart, and in my opinion, tend to be wary and resentful when they are seen merely as a "photo-op", or a number on a leader board. They want access and communication with a legislator, and they want to be told the truth. In 2022, there are numerous ways that a legislator can have dialogue with their constituents, most of them inexpensive or free. When there is opportunity to speak to individuals or groups, those people and their needs should be respected, and never passed over without acknowledgment. If it is not within a legislator's power to accomplish a goal that is important to a constituency, be upfront! it is imperative to say that although one, as a legislator, may not be able to solve a problem, everything within their power will be done to assist that group in finding a solution. I respect honesty and transparency, and I believe voters will also.
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
2022 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Texas House of Representatives District 131 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on February 16, 2022
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
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
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
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
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
District 116
Trey Fischer (D)
District 117
Philip Cortez (D)
District 118
John Lujan (R)
District 119
Elizabeth Campos (D)
District 120
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
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
District 140
Armando Walle (D)
District 141
District 142
Harold Dutton (D)
District 143
Ana Hernandez (D)
District 144
Mary Perez (D)
District 145
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)
