Texas State Senate District 24 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Texas, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Texas State Senate District 24 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 State Senate District 24

Peter P. Flores defeated Kathy Jones-Hospod in the general election for Texas State Senate District 24 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Peter P. Flores (R)	64.3	187,598
		Kathy Jones-Hospod (D)	35.7	104,063

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 291,661
= 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

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

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?

Kathy Jones-Hospod (D)

Texans can have and deserve a reliable power grid. We also need to have consumer protection put into law to prevent the abuse we've experienced with winter surcharges and the Abbott Tax.

Our foster care has been under federal court scrutiny for over a decade. The state has been sanctioned by the courts multiple times for failing to provide housing for children. That is our tax $'s and these children are still suffering. This must be addressed.

Equal rights is not an option. We all deserve these rights. Yet elected officials in Texas have failed over 50% of this State and continue to refuse to pass laws to affirm these. For 50 years, women have fought for the right to make our own healthcare decisions. POC, disabled and LBGTQ have also fought for decades. Equal rights is long overdue in Texas.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Kathy Jones-Hospod (D)

I am passionate about civil and human rights. Our constitution needs to be honored and all Texans recognized by state law as having these rights

Foster care in Texas currently not only violate children's rights, but we have failed Texas Children, to the point that I have heard from the public they've seen cases where a child will have >100 people in/out of their life. These children deserve a safe and humane environment and passing them around as has been happening falls far short of meeting their basic needs. We can and must do better for the vulnerable. It makes not sense to me that trans children are being discriminated against in the school yard, but can go to their after school job and have protections against this same discrimination. Texas should be an inclusive state and stop the discrimination.

The State of Texas has wasted billions... refusing to expand Medicaid ~15 billion, ~3 billion for faking a border crisis (take a look at https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/cbp-enforcement-statistics to see even border patrol #'s contradict these claims), ~4 million for an audit after SOS clearly testified that our elections were safe and secure and results were not impacted by fraud), and many more. For all this waste, we could have gotten broadband in many rural areas to connect Texas.

So many issues need addressed and I will fight for Texans.

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

Kathy Jones-Hospod (D)

My father was my hero. He was a career military officer. He served in Korea and Vietnam. He was tough but had a soft spot for those considered vulnerable... disabled, elderly and children. I was also fascinated how his entire posture softened and he had such a look of love and concern on his face when faced with people who needed help.

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

Kathy Jones-Hospod (D)

Integrity. It was so shameful to watch our legislatures repeat 'The big lie', falsely claim we have an abrupt border crisis and pretend the border patrol website statistics aren't available belying that claim, ban books, target trans children and claim CRT is taught in Texas Public Schools (it is not). Without integrity, we we cannot trust our leadership.

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

Kathy Jones-Hospod (D)

I am a strong Texas woman. I have been in leadership positions most of my career. I have been a single mother. I know how important it is to women to be able to make our own choices, whether that's healthcare or career choices. I have enjoyed a 40 year career as an engineer and I can bring that experience to the legislature to help modernize our infrastructure as well as cyber-related laws.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Kathy Jones-Hospod (D)

Listen to constituents and actually represent them.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Kathy Jones-Hospod (D)

I've watched our infrastructure become dated and in ill repair. I've watched rural communities lose their libraries, hospitals and even public schools. I would like to address these so that future generations will be able to enjoy them as I have in my life. I would like to be known as a Senator in Texas that has integrity but grit.

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

Kathy Jones-Hospod (D)

Roe v. Wade was decided and I remember thinking this will change my life and it has. I contribute a 40 year career in engineering as a female to those brave women before me. I also lived thru Watergate. Wow! was that an experience.

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

Kathy Jones-Hospod (D)

I worked for a florist when I was a teenager. Absolutely loved that job. Helping make arrangements for celebrations, and dances but also getting them ready for neighbors in the hospital really energized me. I felt that I was helping in some small way.

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

Kathy Jones-Hospod (D)

As a working single mother, I know how expensive childcare is. I also know how difficult it is to vote. I will speak up and fight to improve this for future single working parents.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Kathy Jones-Hospod (D)

Currently, we've seen authoritarian style. I would like to get us back to a democracy, where voices are heard, hearings are not just conducted in the middle of the night and the legislature is transparently representing citizens instead of themselves. What we've seen the last few years is the Governor dictates and the majority in the legislature pretends they are the only representatives. This shuts down our voices. We can do better and we should do better.

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

Kathy Jones-Hospod (D)

Reliable power grid and connect it to the national grids

Address the harmful and unsafe foster care situation and protect children while supporting families Equal rights Support our Public schools, teachers, teacher benefits/retirement and state retirees Broadband and neglected infrastructure Keeping Texans safe

Voting Rights

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Kathy Jones-Hospod (D)

Not necessarily. We need responsible leaders, not just someone to fill a seat or ineffective leadership. We also need diversity and elected officials who listen and are accessible to constituents.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Kathy Jones-Hospod (D)

Yes I do. We should all be there to represent our constituents. The petty fighting and divisiveness does not help Texas.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Kathy Jones-Hospod (D)

We need a diversified and independent body to decide districts. History has shown when it's not independent or diverse, Texans suffer.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Kathy Jones-Hospod (D)

I want to be on committees involved in the power grid and consumer protection as well as health and human services. I would also like to be involved in cyber privacy and concerns since I have a robust background in this area.

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?

Kathy Jones-Hospod (D)

Did you know those that qualify for meals on wheels have no services or help with trash service? This is especially heartbreaking in rural communities where they have to haul dumps or pay dump fees. We need to make sure we are providing for our elderly. I have also heard many heartbreaking stories about the Texas Freeze last year, the damage and suffering it caused people to not have heat or adequate water. Finally I have heard so many stories about our broken foster care system.

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

Kathy Jones-Hospod (D)

Not like we've seen. In an emergency the legislature should be called into session when we need temporary laws in place to protect Texans and their rights. We did not elect 'a person' to become an authoritarian. We have a legislative branch that decides funding and laws, yet we've seen these powers and duties ignored. I believe in local government, so I do not approve of a Governor interfering with towns/cities, counties or school districts. This is a disservice to Texans. Our local officials knows what is best for our communities.

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

Kathy Jones-Hospod (D)

In politics, it is unavoidable. We must bridge the divide that has polarized our nation. However, fighting with every tool we can for policies we need to keep Texans safe and move our state forward are definitely what I will do. It would be my honor to stand up for District 24 and represent you. We need broadband and connect Texas. Rural Texas desperately needs hospitals and road repairs for example. Instead of wasting $'s on political theater (i.e. the border), we should make sure Texas tax $'s are spent wisely and we are addressing these needs.

See also

More about these elections:

• Texas State Senate elections, 2022

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