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Denise Wilkerson

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This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Denise Wilkerson
Image of Denise Wilkerson
Elections and appointments
Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

University of Oklahoma, 1983

Law

University of Oklahoma, 1986

Personal
Birthplace
Marquette, Mich.
Religion
Baptist
Profession
Retired
Contact

Denise Wilkerson (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Texas House of Representatives to represent District 94. She lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Wilkerson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Denise Wilkerson was born in Marquette, Michigan. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1983 and a law degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1986. Wilkerson's career experience includes working as an assistant criminal district attorney, an assistant city attorney, and as a nonprofit professional.[1]

As of 2024, Wilkerson was affiliated with the following organizations:[1]

  • Fielder Church
  • Women Inspiring Philanthropy
  • The Fleetwood Project
  • Arlington Mayor's Women's Advisory Council
  • Arlington Mayor's Council on People with Disabilities
  • Tarrant County Sexually Oriented Business License and Regulation Board
  • Blue Star Moms
  • Moms Demand Action

Elections

2024

See also: Texas House of Representatives elections, 2024

General election

General election for Texas House of Representatives District 94

Incumbent Tony Tinderholt defeated Denise Wilkerson in the general election for Texas House of Representatives District 94 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Tony Tinderholt
Tony Tinderholt (R)
 
55.6
 
43,785
Image of Denise Wilkerson
Denise Wilkerson (D) Candidate Connection
 
44.4
 
34,937

Total votes: 78,722
Candidate Connection = 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.

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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 94

Denise Wilkerson advanced from the Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 94 on March 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Denise Wilkerson
Denise Wilkerson Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
5,879

Total votes: 5,879
Candidate Connection = 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 94

Incumbent Tony Tinderholt advanced from the Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 94 on March 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Tony Tinderholt
Tony Tinderholt
 
100.0
 
13,098

Total votes: 13,098
Candidate Connection = 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

Endorsements

Wilkerson received the following endorsements.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Denise Wilkerson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Wilkerson's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

With a passion for serving her community, Denise aims to bring positive change and advocate for the needs of the people of HD94 on day one!

Experienced Attorney

Community Leader

Proud Mom to 5 Young Adults

A Voice for All Texans
  • Protect and Strengthen Public Schools

    Let's rally together to support our public schools and universities to ensure that every young Texan gets a top-notch education. We need to expand access to high-quality early childhood education to better prepare children for their educational journey. By investing in our future leaders, we'll build a stronger Texas! Vouchers provide a direct payment from the State (comptroller) to private organizations – even for redistribution to taxpayers – qualifies as a voucher. The state legislature has repudiated these schemes for over 25 years. If a $6500 voucher was granted to 10% of Texas public school students (like in Florida) it would cost $3.5 billion. Vouchers are bad for Texans.

  • Improve and Expand Access to Healthcare Texans believe in taking care of each other, and that means making healthcare more accessible and affordable for everyone. We must ensure that vulnerable and underserved populations receive equitable access. When decisions about the nation's health care are based on political ideology, rather than scientific evidence, the consequences will be far reaching and catastrophic. Individuals should be free to make personal choices about their healthcare and their children’s healthcare without government interference.
  • Reduce Gun Violence Addressing gun violence, especially school shootings, is a complex and multifaceted challenge. Implementing and strengthening sensible gun safety measures, supporting mental health initiatives, and researching the causes of gun violence is only a start. I believe we can work together as a caring and united Texas community to reduce gun violence and eliminate fear, creating safer environments and futures, for all Texans, especially our children.
Environmental Sustainability
Preserving our stunning Texas landscapes is a priority for me. Climate change seriously threatens our planet, nature, and our own well-being. It causes more extreme weather, rising sea levels, and affects food and water availability, and our health and economies. By taking action now, we can make a positive impact and create a better future.
In the rich tapestry of our community, woven with diverse threads from every corner of the world, the imperative for our elected representatives transcends mere duty. It is a profound commitment to embracing and honoring the entirety of our community's richness and complexity. Democracy, the very essence of our governance, underscores that each individual's perspective is not just acknowledged but respected.

In the symphony of voices, opinions abound, each holding its unique melody. Yet, in the pursuit of progress, the isolated notes yield to the harmonious chords of collaboration. Democracy, in its essence, stands as a testament that no one achieves great feats alone. It is, unequivocally, a Team Sport – a collective endeavor where the strength lies not in singular voices, but in the resounding chorus of unity.
First and foremost, a legislator is entrusted with the delicate art of representation. They must meticulously channel the voices of their constituents, ensuring that the mosaic of perspectives within our communities is not only heard but eloquently echoed within the hallowed halls of the Capitol.

Additionally, the legislator is a custodian of justice and equity. Their duty transcends regional boundaries, requiring a vigilant commitment to the fair allocation of resources and opportunities across the vast expanse of Texas. With each decision, they play a pivotal role in sustaining the delicate equilibrium of our social fabric.

Furthermore, the legislator is a guardian of Texas’ unique cultural heritage and natural resources. Nurturing the diverse traditions that grace our state, they must navigate the ever-evolving landscape of policy with a discerning eye, ensuring that our legislative framework remains attuned to the pulse of progress without erasing the cherished imprints of our history.

In essence, the core responsibilities of a Texas State legislator are an intricate dance—a harmonious blend of representation, justice, and cultural stewardship. It is a role that requires not just political acumen but a profound understanding of the dynamic symphony that is Texas.
Maren Morris says it beautifully in her lyrics to "Better Than We Found It"

"If you don't like it, then get the hell out"
That's what they yell when I open my mouth
A stick is a stick, a stone is a stone
But who's gonna care if I don't?
Who's gonna change if I won't?

When time turns this moment to dust
I just hope that I'm proud of the woman I was
When lines of tomorrow are drawn
Can I live with the side that I chose to be on?
Will we sit on our hands, do nothing about it
Or will we leave this world better than we found it?

Over and under and above the law
My neighbor's in danger, who does he call?
When the wolf's at the door all covered in blue
Shouldn't we try something new?
We're over a barrel and at the end of one too

When time turns this moment to dust
I just hope that I'm proud of the woman I was
When lines of tomorrow are drawn
Can I live with the side that I chose to be on?
Will we sit on our hands, do nothing about it
Or will we leave this world better than we found it?

America, America
Divided we fall
America, America
God save us all
From ourselves and the Hell that we've built for our kids
America, America
We're better than this

When time turns this moment to dust
I just hope my son's proud of the woman I was
When lines of tomorrow are gone
Can I live with the side that I chose to be on?
Will we sit on our hands, do nothing about it

Can we leave this world better than we found it?
I was a carhop at an A&W Drive In restaurant for two years. I made $1.25 an hour.
Yes. In a legislative body, no single individual possesses the sole key to effective governance. By cultivating relationships, legislators can pool their collective expertise, perspectives, and ideas, leading to more well-rounded and thoughtful policy outcomes.

Successful legislating often hinges on the ability to build consensus. Establishing positive relationships allows legislators to find common ground, facilitating compromise and consensus-building on critical issues. This, in turn, promotes the passage of legislation that reflects the broader interests of the community.

Legislative bodies are tasked with addressing complex challenges. Relationships among legislators streamline the problem-solving process. Open lines of communication enable swift responses to emerging issues, ensuring that the legislative machinery operates efficiently and responsively.

Building relationships across party lines promotes a more inclusive and comprehensive approach to governance. It encourages the exchange of ideas beyond ideological boundaries, fostering a climate where bipartisan solutions can emerge, ultimately enhancing the overall effectiveness of the legislative process.

Strong interpersonal connections contribute to a more positive and productive legislative environment. When legislators trust and respect each other, they are more likely to work together seamlessly, resulting in increased legislative effectiveness and a higher likelihood of achieving policy goals.

In essence, relationships among legislators create a web of connectivity that strengthens the fabric of governance. They transform the legislative arena from a battlefield of competing interests into a collaborative space where the shared goal is the betterment of our society. And isn’t that everyone’s goal?
I’ve repeatedly heard the same complaint from older women to young professionals. He wouldn’t give us any time to discuss our issues. The narratives shared by retired teachers, nurses, business leaders, and others who faced frustration in securing an audience with our current representative underscore a poignant truth in democratic governance. The importance of a representative making time to genuinely listen to their constituents cannot be overstated. In essence, a representative who makes time to listen to constituents is not merely performing a courtesy but upholding a fundamental tenet of democracy. It is through these interactions that the true pulse of the community is felt, allowing for more informed, inclusive, and representative governance.
Dr. Opal Lee, Texas AFL/CIO Cope, Tarrant County Central Labor Council, Texas Progressive Caucus, Texas Muslim Democratic Caucus, James and Barbara Adams, Ella Jo McGovern, Elva Roy

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.

Campaign finance summary


Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.


Denise Wilkerson campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* Texas House of Representatives District 94Lost general$140,933 $112,015
Grand total$140,933 $112,015
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

See also


External links

Footnotes

  1. 1.0 1.1 Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on February 5, 2024


Current members of the Texas House of Representatives
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Speaker of the House:Dustin Burrows
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Toni Rose (D)
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Ray Lopez (D)
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Hubert Vo (D)
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