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Julie Luton

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Julie Luton
Image of Julie Luton
Elections and appointments
Last election

November 6, 2018

Education

Bachelor's

Missouri Southern State College, 1990

Contact

Julie Luton (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Texas House of Representatives to represent District 70. Luton lost in the general election on November 6, 2018.

Biography

Julie Luton's career experience includes working as the owner of a small business.[1]

Elections

2018

See also: Texas House of Representatives elections, 2018

General election

General election for Texas House of Representatives District 70

Incumbent Scott Sanford defeated Julie Luton in the general election for Texas House of Representatives District 70 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Scott Sanford
Scott Sanford (R)
 
61.7
 
52,526
Image of Julie Luton
Julie Luton (D)
 
38.3
 
32,543

Total votes: 85,069
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 70

Julie Luton advanced from the Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 70 on March 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Julie Luton
Julie Luton
 
100.0
 
5,425

Total votes: 5,425
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 70

Incumbent Scott Sanford advanced from the Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 70 on March 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Scott Sanford
Scott Sanford
 
100.0
 
12,085

Total votes: 12,085
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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Campaign themes

2018

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys
Candidate Connection

Julie Luton participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on April 19, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Julie Luton's responses follow below.[2]

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

1) Public education funding and support

2) Healthcare access and affordability
3) Infrastructure and environment[3][4]

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?

Quality public education is of paramount importance to me. This wonderful institution of promise, possibility, and equality gives our kids the opportunity to succeed in a changing, global economy. A well-educated populace ensures our state has access to a well-trained, skilled workforce for the businesses that make Texas profitable.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[4]

Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Julie Luton answered the following:

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I looked up to Maya Angelou. Her honesty, compassion, and way with words captured the essence of a conversation or situation and making the reader understand exactly what Maya was feeling in that moment. I would love to be able to communicate that clearly and to invite others to live inside the moment with me.[4]
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
I loved The American President or Dave ... fictional attempts at being noble political figures. I know they aren't real, but I love the thought that being a servant politician is a noble profession.[4]
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Honesty, hard work, and compassion are the most important character traits for an elected official.[4]
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I will always work as hard as possible on any task I undertake. I am also good at empathizing with people and situations so I can understand what/why people need in situations.[4]
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
The person elected to this office must be willing to work for ALL residents, not just those who fit a narrow view that is similar to the representative's. District 70 has a variety of people with different needs, all deserving of effective representation.[4]
What legacy would you like to leave?
Personally, I would like to know that my children are healthy, happy and fulfilled in their lives. Professionally, I would like to make a positive difference in the lives of everyday Texans.[4]
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
The most shocking event that I remember was the explosion of the Challenger on live TV. I was a senior in high school and we were watching the event in our government class.[4]
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
My very first job was working as a library "page" (basically shelving library books for the public library). I believe I worked there for a school year. I was 15 years old. I enjoyed being around books and spent lots of time reading those books that looked interesting to me that I came across while shelving.[4]
What happened on your most awkward date?
I can't recall any particularly awkward dates.[4]
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. I love the fact that its focus is being grateful for the blessings in your life and because, most of the time, the entire family is celebrating together (all without having to buy presents).[4]
What is your favorite book? Why?
My favorite book is "A Prayer for Owen Meany." Besides being written by a literary giant, John Irving, so the writing itself is wonderful, the plot is fascinating as are the book's discussions of faith, fate, and justice.[4]
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
I always wanted to be Ripley, in the movie "Aliens." That character was strong, loving, and got things done.[4]
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
I love all my books.[4]
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
The last song that got stuck in my head was "Copa Cabana" by Barry Manilow ... thanks to my daughter humming it nonstop after she heard it on Spotify.[4]
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
I always struggle with saying "no" when people ask me to do something ... sometimes I simply don't have time and SHOULD say no, but I still don't.[4]
(For non-Nebraska candidates) What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?
Here in Texas, the smaller Senate seems much more extreme, while the larger House does a better job of representing more residents.[4]
Do you believe that it's beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
Yes, mostly because legislating is complex and experience is helpful. However, I consider that to be the case in almost any career. And if someone is willing to work hard to learn the necessary skills, that person can utilize her other gifts to serve her state.[4]
What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?
Texas' public education system is declining due to lack of funding. We must increase funding and pay our educators fairly so we can live up to our constitutionally-mandated duty of educating Texans. A well-educated, skilled workforce translates to engaged citizens and profitable businesses.[4]
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
The governor should be the captain of the ship, but let the crew operate the day-to-day function of the journey forward.[4]
Do you believe it's beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
Absolutely. Solutions are found through compromise, understanding and relationships. Operating only on your own diminishes your understanding of the needs of a very large, diverse state.[4]
What process do you favor for redistricting?
I believe a nonpartisan committee should draw district lines. There should be equal representation from all major political parties to ensure that partisan posturing is not part of the process.[4]
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
I would want to be part of the public education and juvenile justice and family issues committees.[4]
If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?
N/A[4]
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?
I believe I would be better off in my first session learning from observing.[4]
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
I admire Ann Richards for her brashness and ability to get things done.[4]
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
I'm only interested in serving to the best of my ability as a representative for my district.[4]
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?
One of the things I enjoy about campaigning the chance to hear from many different people about many different things. I find them all completely fascinating.[4]

Luton stated the following about her political philosophy in a biographical submission to Ballotpedia:[5]

Quality public education gives our kids the opportunity to succeed in a changing, global economy. I pledge to help strengthen the Texas public education system for all residents, which will in turn ensure our state can provide a well-trained, well-educated workforce for the businesses that make Texas profitable.

I chose to run for this office because I believe the people of District 70 deserve a representative who will work hard and represent the values of ALL residents, rather than just follow the personal convictions of just a few.

In the almost 17 years I've lived in this district, I've connected with, supported, and loved this community. I've spent hundreds and hundreds of hours working with schools, philanthropies, churches, and individuals. I commit to bringing that same work ethic to Austin to represent District 70.[4]

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. IM Julie For All Texans - Candidate for Texas House District 70, "Meet Julie," accessed February 8, 2018
  2. Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
  3. Ballotpedia's candidate survey, "Julie Luton's responses," April 19, 2018
  4. 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 4.20 4.21 4.22 4.23 4.24 4.25 4.26 4.27 4.28 4.29 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  5. Information submitted on Ballotpedia's biographical information submission form on December 27, 2017


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