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Stevens Orozco
Stevens Orozco (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Texas' 18th Congressional District. He lost in the Democratic primary on March 3, 2020.
Orozco completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. Click here to read the survey answers.
Elections
2020
See also: Texas' 18th Congressional District election, 2020
Texas' 18th Congressional District election, 2020 (March 3 Republican primary)
Texas' 18th Congressional District election, 2020 (March 3 Democratic primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House Texas District 18
Incumbent Sheila Jackson Lee defeated Wendell Champion, Luke Spencer, and Vince Duncan in the general election for U.S. House Texas District 18 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Sheila Jackson Lee (D) | 73.3 | 180,952 |
 | Wendell Champion (R)  | 23.5 | 58,033 | |
 | Luke Spencer (L) | 1.8 | 4,514 | |
 | Vince Duncan (Independent) | 1.4 | 3,396 | |
| Total votes: 246,895 | |||
| = 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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Watch the Candidate Conversation for this race!
Republican primary runoff election
Republican primary runoff for U.S. House Texas District 18
Wendell Champion defeated Robert Cadena in the Republican primary runoff for U.S. House Texas District 18 on July 14, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Wendell Champion | 71.8 | 4,000 |
 | Robert Cadena | 28.2 | 1,570 | |
| Total votes: 5,570 | |||
| = 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 U.S. House Texas District 18
The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 18 on March 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Sheila Jackson Lee | 77.1 | 49,729 |
 | Marc Flores | 8.3 | 5,353 | |
 | Bimal Patel | 3.8 | 2,456 | |
 | Jerry Ford Sr. | 3.7 | 2,417 | |
 | Stevens Orozco | 3.4 | 2,180 | |
 | Michael Allen | 2.6 | 1,672 | |
 | Donovan Boson | 1.1 | 709 | |
| Total votes: 64,516 | |||
| = 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 U.S. House Texas District 18
The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 18 on March 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Wendell Champion | 35.1 | 3,428 |
| ✔ | | Robert Cadena | 20.5 | 2,005 |
 | T.C. Manning | 18.7 | 1,823 | |
 | Nathan Milliron | 11.0 | 1,076 | |
 | Ava Pate | 8.1 | 794 | |
| Nellie Heiskell | 6.5 | 638 | ||
| Total votes: 9,764 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Whitney Hatter (R)
Libertarian convention
Libertarian convention for U.S. House Texas District 18
Luke Spencer advanced from the Libertarian convention for U.S. House Texas District 18 on March 21, 2020.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Luke Spencer (L) |
| ||||
| = 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
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Stevens Orozco completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Orozco's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
The Green New Deal Climate change has become the defining battle of our generation, and it is a battle the younger generations will have to continue to fight. The effects of unregulated toxic practices of the fossil fuel industry have accumulated over the past century. In the past 14 years since Hurricane Katrina we have faced the daunting reality of extreme weather conditions. Wildfires have consumed historic numbers of land and life; winters have become dangerously intense. In Houston, Hurricane Harvey showed us what it felt like to experience the downpour of its outer rain bands. Houston is the capital of oil and gas. And this industry has continued to wreak havoc on our environment. It is our collective responsibility to push the industry to evolve past harmful fossil fuel practices and embrace the rise of new energy technologies that make powering the world safer and more efficient. Medicare For All Families have suffered too long with the burden of medical costs, prescription prices, and health insurance rates. It is immoral for people to have to decide between paying their rent or paying for their medication. There are many families who have to file for bankruptcy due to high medical bills. All this comes from the greed of special interest groups and healthcare corporations who financially benefit from how our healthcare system operates, and they have only made it worse as the years gone by. Corporate establishment politicians from both sides of the aisle have quietly taken large donations from these entities in order to facilitate their path to higher corporate profits, all the while as the working class suffers under its weight. I will not. And more than this, I will support Medicare for All. Universal healthcare will steer the country toward a more economically sound system where the people, not the industry, will control their healthcare. Being healthy isn’t a privilege; it’s a right. And I will support and collaborate with those who see it as such. Immigration Justice The history of this country is one of a nation of immigrants who built it every step of the way. Unfortunately, somewhere down the line, many began to point toward new arrivals as the source of all their problems. The formation of ICE (Immigration
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
I am extremely passionate about public policy surrounding and encompassing social justice. Any legislation which addresses people's civil, human, and voting rights would be a passionate focus of mine. This is highly important today as those same rights have been and continue to be under assault by the current elected officials throughout the country.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
My political memoir "In These Black and Brown Hands" is the most recent collection of thoughts about my social justice centered political philosophies and efforts.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
I believe integrity, transparency, and accountability are integral to any person who holds public office. We must demonstrate our integrity when holding office by being fully transparent about our donations, legislation, and decision making processes in order to ensure the public's confidence and trust. These qualities will reinforce the sense of accountability, not only when something is done wrong or in error, but throughout the terms service the public.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I believe in the power of grassroots organizing. My experience as a community organizer and political activist has taught me that we can win and achieve great change if we build the community up and unite each other through mutual responsibility. It is our duty to care for our communities, and I believe in leading by example. By not accepting big money influence from corporations or special interests, a 100% people powered campaign equals a 100% people power congressional office. This way we will build a communal system where as congressman of TX-18, I will always be present and available to the people of my district.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
I believe that Congressional office requires the local issues to connect to the national conversations in the most effective and productive ways. Legislation should be constantly adapting to the changing and evolving conditions of our country in order to protect all citizens, documented or undocumented, from falling into difficult times without any assistance or help. All the while as we uplift social justice initiatives to ensure all communities are protected and safe from violations to their civil, human, and voting rights.
What legacy would you like to leave?
I would like to leave a legacy of transparency and accountability. I would like that to be left behind in the form of a True Democracy Reform where voting becomes universally accessible and all public offices are term limited.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
I recall the events of the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995 when I was still eight years old.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
I worked at Subway Restaurants during my junior and senior years of high school.
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
I have had to learn how to create and maintain patience during times of injustice where I am unable to do nothing or be present.
What process do you favor for redistricting?
I believe in a fair and just redistricting process with more oversight and community participation.
What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?
I look at the U.S. House of Representatives as the first and most closest step for local communities to participate in their congressional power. The number of representatives from smaller districts allow for the space for closer sense of accountability, and one would hope for that district to be your home, which would make it even more stronger of a connection. The House Rep. has the opportunity to be that local voice that speaks up for their community in the highest place for democracy in the country. This office is one that can truly inspire future leaders if done right.
Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?
I don't believe in the need to hold office before being elected for U.S. House because the current path into public office is filled with corporate influence and establishment gate keeping. Working class people need to run for office and represent the working class society that we are part of. The reality that our country has fallen from its promise of a true democracy now becomes the responsibility of people powered candidates to save.
What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?
Our current struggle as a country seems to fit with the same as the modern world. We must address climate change, the industry that creates it, the corruption that controls it, and the extremism that has begun to come out unapologetically.
If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
I would be interested in the following: 1. Ethics 2. Ways and Means 3. Intelligence 4. Energy and Commerce 5. Education and Labor
Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?
Yes I do. I also believe in term limits.
What are your thoughts on term limits?
I believe in term limits.
Both sitting representatives 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?
I met a latinx/hispanic identifying single mother of four who is currently working and getting her MBA. The concerns for her children and the current state of affairs in the country echo so many other community members that we have spoken to. Her story is inspiring because I see the concern and effort from one woman that only wants to see her children grow up to prosper and to do it in an environment that elevates their voices and not silence them.
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
External links
Footnotes
