Texas House of Representatives District 50 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Texas, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Texas House of Representatives District 50 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 50

Incumbent James Talarico defeated Victor Johnson and Ted Brown in the general election for Texas House of Representatives District 50 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		James Talarico (D)	76.8	36,881
		Victor Johnson (R)	20.2	9,718
		Ted Brown (L)	2.9	1,392

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 47,991
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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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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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Ted Brown (L)

We need to severely curtail emergency powers that are given to the president, governor, health officials, county judges, and mayors. If government officials can suspend our Constitutional rights during an emergency, they will always have an excuse to create another emergency.

Personal freedom issues: (1) End marijuana prohibition on the way to ending the War on Drugs. Adults should be able to choose what substances go into their bodies. (2) Government should not interfere with doctors and their patients deciding on medical care, including pharmaceutical drug selections, termination of pregnancy, gender changes, end of life decisions, etc. (3) Defend the right to keep and bear arms for self-defense.

Economic freedom issues: (1) No business closures or medical procedure limitations because of an “emergency.” Always respect constitutional rights. (2) Cut taxes, spending, and regulations across the board. (3) End occupational licensing. (4) Abolish Texas Alcoholic Beverage Control and their alcohol regulations. (5) Eliminate roadblocks to starting new businesses or building more housing.

Victor Johnson (R)

Parental Rights - Parents should be free to choose the school their children attend and to be sure that the children will receive a great education. Public schools must be transparent about their curriculums and no teacher should ever try to hide what they teach.

Ensure Public Safety - Those that choose to commit crimes must be held accountable. Our children must be able to safely walk our own streets and neighborhoods. I believe reform is possible for those committing minor crimes who are able to successfully complete alternative justice programs. We must restore faith in our law enforcers and justice system.

Ensure a Strong Economy - We must never again close our businesses, our churches, or deprive people of the opportunity to earn and support their families. I will stop the distortion of the economy caused by the government give aways to big business and special interests.

James Talarico (D)

A giant state deserves giant dreams. We can build an inclusive Texas where every family can get ahead and every community can achieve their fullest potential. We’ve done so much in two terms to move us closer to that dream—from reforming school finance to capping insulin costs to banning reality TV policing. But our achievements have led Texas Republicans to target me in the redistricting process. They tried to gerrymander me out, but I won’t go away that easily. The community that raised me deserves a Representative that is battle-tested and knows how to fight Republicans and win. There is much work left to do, and I’m committed to creating a Texas as good as its promise.

I’m a former public school teacher. I taught 45 kids in one classroom, in a school so underfunded we didn’t have enough chairs for all the kids. Changing the education system to help students like mine is what inspired me to run for office in 2018. In addition to proposing a minimum teacher salary of $70k, I have passed sweeping legislation to reform the school finance system, place the first-ever cap on pre-K class sizes in Texas, improve early childhood education across the state, fund mental health care in schools, disrupt the school to prison pipeline, and require all incarcerated minors in Texas be given the opportunity to graduate with a high school diploma.

Health care is a human right. It should be affordable and accessible for every Texan. I know the failures of our health care system personally. Three years ago, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Even with health insurance, I paid $684 for my first 30-day supply of insulin. I had to put it on a credit card. In the last 20 years, pharmaceutical companies have increased the price of insulin 1200%. Putting profits over people has deadly consequences. And in the richest country in the world, 1 in 4 diabetics risk their lives by rationing their insulin. That’s why I passed legislation capping insulin copays in Texas at $25 per prescription. It’s a historic progressive win, but it’s only a step toward our eventual goal—guaranteed healthcare.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Ted Brown (L)

Besides the key messages of Personal Freedom issues and Economic Freedom issues, I am interested in Police Reform, Criminal Justice Reform, Election Reform, and Government Reform. For example, under Government Reform, I believe in Initiative, Referendum, and Recall at the state level; term limits for state officials; and electing the Secretary of State. For Election Reform, we need to establish Ranked Choice Voting in elections, and make it easier rather than harder for Texans to find election information and vote.

Victor Johnson (R)

I will work hard to end Property Tax in this State and to pass an amendment to ensure that it never happens again. With property taxation you never truly own your home, you rent it from the state. If you rent your home, you pay property taxes in the form of higher rent. Texas generates enough surplus income to make the switch to a broad based consumption tax and eliminate all property taxes now.

Immigration is a great concern to me. There are people in this world that truly need our support and they should receive it. But that is not what is happening at the borders of our country now. There are bad people that make millions smuggling drugs, weapons, and people into this country. They drag women and children through the deserts and many die needlessly. Over 150,000 people came across the Texas border in January, enough to populate Austin in 7 months. People that take our jobs, our social benefits, and our healthcare. We must improve the immigration process.

I worry about our mental health and crime problems. The two have some inter relationships. I believe we must protect our citizens from those that choose to harm us. For some, jail is the only answer. Where mental health is concerned, we must seek alternatives that have a proven, positive impact. Defunding the police, de-policing areas is not the answer. Policing should be supplemented with trained professionals when possible, but always under supervision and protection.

James Talarico (D)

If I am re-elected to serve in the Texas House of Representatives, my top priorities will be to continue organizing for a high quality and equitable education for all of our children as-well-as affordable and accessible health care for all Texans. These foundational issues have been overshadowed by endless Republican culture wars for too long. After a year filled with extremist right-wing legislating, I will continue being a vocal opponent to this harmful agenda while pushing for common sense policies from the expansion of Medicaid to increased state funding for public schools. I also commit to holding our government accountable and working towards a budget that does not pay for the COVID-19 pandemic off the backs of our children or working-class Texans, but one that increases the state minimum wage and ensures equal pay for equal work for all Texans. We can rebuild the Texas economy by providing well-paying, safe jobs for Texans who need them.

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

Victor Johnson (R)

I admire the great leaders of our revolution; men, who would stand up for what they believed in, for their vision of a great country, and risk their very lives for that belief. George Washington for his commitment to the principles of citizen government - resigning after 2 terms in office and refusing a crown. Jefferson and Henry for their eloquence. Madison and Hamilton and Jay for their ability to see clearly what was needed and how to express it to everyone else.

I admire Chester Nimitz for his leadership. He had the ability to make those around him comfortable in their ability to share ideas, which he then blended to the perfect strategy. He had the ability to correct flaws without humiliating the person, thereby shaping stronger future leaders.

And I admire Dr. King for both his eloquence and vision of a future of equality among men.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Ted Brown (L)

I will take an oath of office to defend the Constitution of the United States and the State of Texas. I take that very seriously. I wish our current elected officials would take it seriously. But when there is a chance to gain more political power, or to please a big campaign contributor, or to make another political party look foolish, or to impose their personal religious views on unwilling Texans, any care our officials may have about the Constitution goes right out the window.

Victor Johnson (R)

As an elected official, you are the direct representative of the people you serve. You must represent them with integrity and courage, with intelligence and respect.

I firmly believe a representative must be intent on listening to and respecting the views of those who elect him. Others may voice opinions and offer suggestions as to how or why a piece of legislation should be enacted or rejected, but the views of your electors must inform your decisions.

An elected official must believe in transparent government, for it is the people's government. If a policy or an action must be hidden from view, concealed from the eyes of the public there must be the presumption that it is disreputable. I pledge to be open and honest in my representation of the citizens of my district.

An elected official is put in office to fight for what is right for his district, for his state. He must stand firm and honestly represent his people to the best of his ability.

I pledge that I will never run away from a legislative fight; That I will always do my best to deliver what my electors put me in office to do.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Victor Johnson (R)

Honest, integrity, strength of character, empathy. I actively seek the opinions of interested stakeholders and others, then synthesize a successful policy that incorporates the best of all.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Ted Brown (L)

I would like to leave the world a freer and more prosperous place, where people can pursue their dreams without being hampered by government policies. I have been a political activist in the liberty movement for my entire adult life. It's a difficult task to promote freedom, when so many forces are arrayed in the opposite direction, but it's worth the fight. I have an 29-year-old daughter. She will hopefully live in this world a lot longer than I will, and I want her know that I have done what I can to make the world a better place.

Victor Johnson (R)

That I have a servant's heart and left the world a better place for my having lived.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Victor Johnson (R)

I remember the Kennedy assassination, I was a month shy of 10 years old then. The shock to our community, to the world was incredible. Everyone was in disbelief, even those that thought ill of the man were crushed that someone had killed the President of the United States.

It wasn't long after that Selma happened and George Wallace used his police to try to crush the movement. Then came the King assassination and Bobby Kennedy.

I was in high school when the 101st Airborne lined the bridge into D.C.

Scary times to live thru.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Ted Brown (L)

My dad had a furniture store, and I started working there after school when I was 11 or 12 years old. I soon had many responsibilities, especially inventory control, ordering merchandise, etc. This was in the 1970s, before computers were common in small businesses, and everything was manual. Kids should be able to work if they want to. It was very valuable to me to learn business skills as a teenager. I am self-employed now myself, but in the insurance industry.

Victor Johnson (R)

As a youngster I had many jobs, from being a lifeguard, a roofer, a delivery driver, manager of a swimming pool, and so forth.

My first real job was the United States Army, where I served for 21 years. I grew up in the Army, learned my strengths and weaknesses. It was there that I learned the leadership skills I have today. I lived, worked, trained, and fought with people from all walks of life, many countries, and skin colors. We all relied on each other. We all cared for each other.

Nothing can ever replace that experience.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Victor Johnson (R)

Managing career with family life has always been difficult. A life in service first meant that every couple years my family was uprooted and transplanted not just to a new neighborhood, but an entirely new country. Our son had to endure changing schools and losing friends as a fact of life. But through it all we remained a tight, cohesive family filled with love and happiness. We lived in and learned from many different cultures over the years, which shaped our appreciation of the world.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Ted Brown (L)

Texas ranks highly in business climate, and I want to make sure it stays that way, and actually gets even better. However, Texas ranks very low on personal freedoms. We need to make changes to marijuana laws, alcohol laws, gambling laws, abortion laws, medical freedom, policing techniques, and oppressive criminal justice policies. If we show needed toleration of different racial and ethnic backgrounds, welcome immigrants, and welcome all who want to better their lives, Texas can become the most diverse state, with the largest state economy, as well as the state with the largest population. We need to leave California, with all their crazy policies, in the dust.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Victor Johnson (R)

No, I am not. I firmly believe, as did the founders of this great country, that government is best when accomplished by those closest to those who elected them. A great politician is one that identifies a problem and seeks office to solve that problem, and then goes home to resume his life.

This country has started to elect dynastic politicians and that is a horrible trend. Just because a relative held a political office does not mean that the person would be a good or even a competent legislator.

I have pledged to support the proposition of term limits and I will not go back on my word.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Ted Brown (L)

While sometimes there could be a natural disaster where officials need to act quickly for a short time (like a few days), we need to severely curtail emergency powers that are given to the governor, health officials, county judges, and mayors. If government officials can suspend our Constitutional rights during an emergency, they will always have an excuse to create another emergency. There is no provision to ignore the Constitution and Bill of Rights during an emergency. We have separation of powers in this country. Legislators make the laws, which are implemented by the Governor. No one has the right to rule by decree. We fought a revolution about that back in 1776!

Victor Johnson (R)

The legislature must be charged with overseeing the use of governmental emergency powers.

When elected I intend to sponsor legislation that requires that any declaration of emergency powers, signed by the governor, must contain a mandatory call for a special session within 15 days of the signing. The legislature, if not then in session, will meet discuss and approve of actions that are allowed under the emergency powers.

The legislature is the People's House. Our senators and congressmen are the direct representatives of the people, the heart and soul of the state. They must not forgo the exercise of their responsibilities simply because such exercise is inconvenient or politically hazardous.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Ted Brown (L)

Yes. I have a very strong set of principles, but I realize that it will be difficult to get 75 other State House members to agree with me. My goal will be to work with legislators in other parties, if our views overlap. For example, I hope I will be able to work with Republicans on economic issues and with Democrats on civil liberties issues. But I will only vote for bills that advance or expand freedom. I will not vote for any bills that take freedoms away from people.

Victor Johnson (R)

Compromise is sometimes desirable in policy making if one is to get things done. There are times, especially in government today, when both sides are firmly convinced in their positions. If neither yields, nothing can be accomplished except an increase in acrimony. As Voltaire noted you cannot let the "perfect" be the enemy of the "good."

See also

More about these elections:

• Texas House of Representatives elections, 2022

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