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Texas House of Representatives District 118 candidate surveys, 2022
From Ballotpedia
This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Texas House of Representatives District 118 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.
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- Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.
Candidates and election results
General election
General election for Texas House of Representatives District 118
Incumbent John Lujan defeated Frank Ramirez in the general election for Texas House of Representatives District 118 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | John Lujan (R)  | 51.8 | 26,357 |
| Frank Ramirez (D) | 48.2 | 24,488 | ||
| Total votes: 50,845 | |||
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses
Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
Survey responses from candidates in this race
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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.
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John Lujan (R)
Life experiences - My wife and I have been married over 38 years and we have 5 sons. Serving as a Bexar County Deputy Sheriff (6 1/2 years) and San Antonio Firefighter (25 years), I have seen the good and bad that affect our community. As a small business man, starting a company with 2 other partners in 1999 and today employing over 500 people has been an incredible experience. As a volunteer coach (30+ years) and Youth Sunday School teacher (20+ years), I have seen so many situations, lifestyles, education issues and lack of hope and opportunity impacting our District. I have those experiences and my biblical values providing me wisdom needed to make sound decisions for our community and Texas.
Property Taxes - this is a critical issue. Too many homeowners are being taxed out of their homes. Many hard working families are struggling to keep their homes. I am committed to working hard to provide solutions to the high appraisal evaluations and the high taxes being imposed.
Education - I am a firm believer in a strong Public School System - effective, accountable and properly funded. Cycles of poverty are broken when we prepare our students to be successful. Prepping a student to attend a college/university is so important. As important, is prepping students for the high demand, high paying jobs in the Trades industry.
Property Taxes - this is a critical issue. Too many homeowners are being taxed out of their homes. Many hard working families are struggling to keep their homes. I am committed to working hard to provide solutions to the high appraisal evaluations and the high taxes being imposed.
Education - I am a firm believer in a strong Public School System - effective, accountable and properly funded. Cycles of poverty are broken when we prepare our students to be successful. Prepping a student to attend a college/university is so important. As important, is prepping students for the high demand, high paying jobs in the Trades industry.
John Lujan (R)
I have several public policy items but one that is very important is figuring a better way (utilizing local Churches) to help children and families within the foster care system. A big part of helping the children and families is to involve the local Church to be involved early in the process to hopefully prevent an escalation of the issue by providing support and life changing experiences for the family. I am currently working on such a program - Child & Family Ministry. I am meeting weekly with Foster, CASA, DFPS, and Church leaders developing a Church program. We have implemented our program in our first Church and have scheduled dates for other Churches in District 118. I am excited at the potential benefits this can provide to struggling families.
John Lujan (R)
I have many role models - SAFD Lt. Emilio DeLeon, Dr. Pachecano from Somerset, TX, Pastor Albert Byrom and a few others.
However, my father John Lujan Jr., is a man I admire and look up to. There was a time when I hated (strong word) my father. Growing up, and up to my 7th grade, my Dad was an abusive husband and father. I witnessed him abuse my Mother and when I intervened I received harsh punishment. He drank too much and would often not come home as he was with other women. I encouraged my Mom to leave him and as the oldest of 5 children, I was very close to my Mother. In my 7th grade year, I became a Christian - dedicating my life to Christ. Although God created heaven and earth, changed my life and the life of my Mother and siblings, there was nothing that could be done for my Father (or so I thought). One evening my Sunday School teacher visited my home and met my Mother and Father. Long story short - by the end of that meeting, my Dad and my Sunday School teacher were talking in the living room and I was with my Sunday School teacher's wife, my Mom, my 3 sisters, and my brother in my sister's room down the hall on our knees praying for my Dad. That night my Dad prayed to have God take over his life and he dedicated his life to serving God. Today, my Dad is a retired Minister and I could write a book of great stories and experiences we witnessed throughout our family's service to God. I have seen the power of God and how my Dad has worked hard to be a man of Faith and always seeking Wisdom and not letting circumstances compromise his convictions. I will not forget or overlook the Power of God and the miracles I have witnessed in my life....
John Lujan (R)
Proverbs (Bible) - Solomon - this is a great book for wisdom and a common sense philosophy.
Golden Bones - Sichan Siv Battle for the American Mind - Pete Hegseth
Blackout - Candace Owens
John Lujan (R)
Hardworking, ability to listen, honest, and approachable. Must have the ability to effectively network and work with others.
John Lujan (R)
I pray for Wisdom and compassionate solutions.
John Lujan (R)
Knowing the impact legislation will have on the community. Providing great staff to assist constituents in navigating state processes or state agencies, and documenting constituent feedback for making changes.
John Lujan (R)
I worked for positive change in people's lives, community, state and country,
John Lujan (R)
I was 24 years old, a Bexar County Deputy Sheriff, married, and a father to our first son who was 13 months old at this time. In the middle of the night a burglar broke into our apartment as we were all asleep. My son was sleeping in his room (2nd night he was asleep in his crib in his own room) and my wife heard him crying. When she looked in the room she saw a man standing over the crib. When the man looked at her and began walking toward her, she screamed and ran to our room. I heard the hysteria in her scream and I immediately ran out my room and witnessed a man opening our front door and running. Although he was not carrying my son, at that time I believed he had my son so I ran after him. I chased and caught him and we had a brief fight. I held him until police arrived and took him into custody. I quickly learned he had cut my son's throat - 3 slashes and 4 stab wounds requiring a total of 43 stitches. It was a miracle he was alive - although he lost a lot of blood, every cut and stabbing missed major arteries and veins. This incident changed my life and who I am forever. It is a longer story and the power of God and the power of forgiveness can not be overlooked. I would not be servant of God, husband, and father I am today without this incident.
John Lujan (R)
My first job was when I was 16 years old working construction - cement work, roofing, etc... I worked through high school and most of my earnings went to my parents to provide for our family. I worked for this small company for 2 years mostly Saturdays and Sundays and full-time during the summer months.
John Lujan (R)
I just finished re-reading "The Power of Moments" by Chip Heath
Great business book but has great every day life applications.
John Lujan (R)
Buscarte - by Edgar Lira
John Lujan (R)
Not being more involved for children in crisis....
John Lujan (R)
I believe, the Governor sets the tone and boundaries the Legislature works within to create legislation. This provides for a productive session. However, there are times when the will of the people needs to rise above the views of the Governor or Legislature and conflict may arise.
John Lujan (R)
I am worried about the surplus of money available. We need to be wise in how we spend this blessing of extra money. Spending foolishly today can cause major problems in the future. Addressing property taxes, school funding, and allocating money to address needed services is crucial for this session. Funding "nice to have" projects or projects requiring larger future funding to maintain and/or support must be thought about very carefully.
John Lujan (R)
Benefits would include efficiency and the ability to respond quickly to issues and requests.
Drawbacks would include the probability of individuals to gain power and dominate influence.
As you may know, Texas is considered a bicameral state legislature - house and senate.
John Lujan (R)
I believe life experiences to include family, business, community involvement and general life experiences are much more important than government and politics. As an elected official the government and political experience will happen naturally.
John Lujan (R)
Yes. As a former public servant and business owner, I know the power networking and relationships. I am confident in my people skills to persuade and educate others in issues I am passionate to move forward. I am also a great listener and always ready to learn or understand other points-of-view...
John Lujan (R)
I would like to see technology involved in the redistricting process.
John Lujan (R)
N/A
John Lujan (R)
I won a special election and inherited my two committees - Higher-ed and Licensing. I was also appointed to a special interim committee on Health Care Reform.
I enjoy working on the current committees. If elected, I would like to work any of the following: Appropriations, Public Education, Higher-Education, Human Services (Foster Care), Insurance (Health Care).
John Lujan (R)
I am not familiar enough with any particular legislatures. None at this time...
John Lujan (R)
No.
John Lujan (R)
I am very impressed with a High School program called P.R.O.M.I.S.E.. This program provides a second chance to high school offenders. This is an awesome program that benefits the student, student's family, and the school's police department. I have heard heart-warming stories from students, parents and officers involved with the program. I am promoting this program throughout my 118 District and I hope to enhance this program throughout the State.
John Lujan (R)
I believe it is the responsibility of the legislature o create a framework where the use of emergency powers can be used. We now have the advantage of viewing the emergency powers being utilized during the pandemic. There will definitely be changes proposed by both house and senate. This next session will be tasked with adjusting the use of emergency powers.
John Lujan (R)
Yes - compromise is necessary because it enables law makers various points-of-views, cultural differences, and community impact the policy will have....
See also
More about these elections:
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