Texas State Senate District 3 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Texas, 2022

---

On the ballot:  • U.S. House • Congressional special elections • Governor • Attorney General • State executive offices • State Senate • State House • Special state legislative • Supreme court • Appellate courts • State ballot measures • Local ballot measures • School boards • Municipal • Recalls

This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Texas State Senate District 3 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

• Click here to see candidates and election results.
• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Texas State Senate District 3

Incumbent Robert Nichols defeated Steve Russell and Desarae Lindsey in the general election for Texas State Senate District 3 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Robert Nichols (R)	77.4	213,288
		Steve Russell (D)	21.2	58,285
	Submit photo	Desarae Lindsey (L)	1.4	3,941

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 275,514
= 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.

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.

Expand all | Collapse all

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?

Desarae Lindsey (L)

End the War on Bodily Autonomy - Equal access to healthcare for ALL individuals - unfettered access to abortions, gender affirming care, etc.

End the War on Civil Liberties - abolish qualified immunity, mandatory minimums, civil asset forfeiture, etc.

End the War on Mother Earth - the Earth is our home and must be protected at all costs. Remove corporate immunity for the fossil fuel industries, and remove immunity from liability.

Steve Russell (D)

Extreme positions of the far right and far left paralyze and polarize significant positive ways forward for all Texans.

There is far more common ground, focusing on what all Texans want, regardless of their politics.

It is time to change office holders so that independent thinking, fresh energy and new perspectives are given an opportunity. Even my opponent's Republican Party Platform suggests 10-year term limits. He has held the same office for 16 years.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Desarae Lindsey (L)

Criminal justice reform, compassionate immigration policy, ending the war on drugs, abolishing the death penalty, ending the war on the unhoused, better and more compassionate veteran healthcare / rights, workers cooperatives, ending corporate welfare.

Steve Russell (D)

Protecting Second Amendment rights for those like me who value legal, responsible firearm ownership and use while leading the way in conversations to reduce mass violence.

Comprehensive, affordable, regular health care for ALL Texans, especially those in underserved areas, and especially for women so that abortions can be legal, safe, early, and rare with healthy family planning. Restoring not only educational excellence to schools, but also restoring character education and integrity so that students receive instruction in positive self-image and successful life-building skills. Reform our immigration system by retaking control of illegal border crossing while ensuring the a reasonable number and quality of immigrants have access to legal entry into this country, especially for needed workers and for educational opportunity. Developing ways for Texans to become energy "self-reliant" through renewable energy while respecting conservation and protection of our environment.

Cutting the fat and pork out of government.

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

Desarae Lindsey (L)

My entire life, I've admired Martin Luther King Jr. He utilized peaceful methods to enact change and stand by and for marginalized communities. ALL humans deserve nothing less than equal rights and access to that which improves their lives, their communities' lives, and their families' lives. In 2022, marginalized communities are still facing incessant discriminatory attacks by our government. We must follow Dr. King's lead and stand together against these egregious violations on our fellow human beings.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Desarae Lindsey (L)

"Joyeux Noel" would be a good film to watch. We, as human beings, are inherently good and loving and do not wish to do harm to one another. Divisiveness is taught to us for political reasons, among other harmful concepts. Humanity at large desires peace. My political philosophy is rooted in peace and love.

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

Desarae Lindsey (L)

Integrity, a healthy dose of humility, a love of your fellow human being, a desire to serve in the best interests of your constituency. Corporate interests are not human interests.

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

Desarae Lindsey (L)

I am driven by compassion and love and would first and foremost consider the will of the people in every decision if given the honor of serving the residents of Senate District 3. I am all too aware of the consequences of bad legislation and poor decision making - every vote would be with each individual's needs in mind. Humility is important in governance and a guide in any decisions that affect anyone else.

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

Desarae Lindsey (L)

A state legislator serves at the will and pleasure of the population of the district they were elected to serve. Personal interests should be removed from consideration when casting votes that affect other people's lives. A senator must be available to their constituents at will.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Desarae Lindsey (L)

I would like to plant seeds of love and peace in all that I do.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Desarae Lindsey (L)

When I was a kid, "The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton was my favorite book. I read "On the Road" by Jack Kerouac when I was 15 or 16, and it changed me. I loved the colorful characters (based upon real people and experiences) and the kinetic feel of the story. I love the Beat Generation writers and the culture that surrounds that time.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Desarae Lindsey (L)

Jesus

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Desarae Lindsey (L)

"Rebellion (Lies)" by Arcade Fire has been on a pretty endless loop for the last few weeks, and I am totally here for it. I adore that song and am in love with that band.

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

Desarae Lindsey (L)

My life has been wrought with struggle. Each challenge has been a lesson learned and has resulted in better practices going forward.

I was a young single mother who worked in strip clubs while taking college courses. If I had been in that job right now at the age I was then, I'd be unemployed thanks to HB 315, codified into Texas law in June of 2021. HB 315, the "Stripper Bill" (making it illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to work in any job in a sexually oriented business) cost many young Texans their jobs during a time already steeped in financial hardship. I am not sure what I'd have done had that law passed when I was working in strip clubs - it would've been difficult to find another job that offered the flexibility to make my own schedule and work hours that worked with my childcare needs.

Any personal experiences or struggles would serve as a compassionate guide when weighing options as a Texas legislator.

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

Desarae Lindsey (L)

The governor must follow directives by the state legislature and not unilaterally write legislation from his own desk. That said, a less conservative legislature is desperately needed in order to push governance into a more compassionate direction. A government is meant to be representative of the people and not seek to legislate personal agendas (specifically of the "moral" variety).

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

Desarae Lindsey (L)

Considering the conservative hellscape Texas is determined to become, we must push ourselves towards a compassionate culture shift, both politically and personally. We have women being arrested and charged with murder for having a miscarriage. We have minorities being shot and killed at will by the overzealous police for alleged crimes that are not harming anyone. We have the state executing its citizens, regardless of legitimate claims of innocence - innocent or guilty, the death penalty is immoral, and the state should not possess the right to murder anyone. There are children locked in cages, separated from their families, for no crime - simply for existing. The time is long overdue for us hold our government accountable for its many, many crimes against its citizenry. We must do and be better.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

Desarae Lindsey (L)

A unicameral state legislature has the ability to remove deadlocks that exist between a divisive duopoly party system but can also consequently result in increased violation of human rights, as we have seen our legislature is all too eager to do in its current bicameral state.

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

Desarae Lindsey (L)

I believe the government should be made up of the people it purports to represent. Prior experience is a net negative in my opinion - I love the Frank Zappa quote, which is featured on my campaign website: "Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible."

Legislators that make up our current government have proven time and time again they will act in personal interests, corporate interests, lobbyist interests - anyone's interests BUT those they purport to represent.

Should government exist, it must be by and for the people.

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

Desarae Lindsey (L)

Building relationships is always a net positive. In order to efficiently work together, networking and relationship building is key. Being at odds with one another in the legislature will impede any meaningful progress.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Desarae Lindsey (L)

Districts should be comprised by population only, and not driven by political shenanigans that serve the interests of duopoly parties.

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

Desarae Lindsey (L)

Yes, for sure! Of the Senate Committees, I'd love to serve on the Criminal Just Committee, Jurisprudence Committee, Natural Resources and Economic Development Committee, Health & Human Services Committee, Veteran Affairs & Border Security Committee, and / or the Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee.

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

Desarae Lindsey (L)

Not applicable to me - yet.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Desarae Lindsey (L)

No. I believe we should be doing things completely differently in our legislature.

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

Desarae Lindsey (L)

It's difficult to know what future me will want to do. I follow a call to serve my fellow humans as necessary.

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?

Desarae Lindsey (L)

Currently there is a war on transgender children. I recently was in contact with a parent in my district whose child has been denied not only gender affirming care for fear of political / criminal backlash and consequences, but mental health services as well. There are parents who are currently in fear of their families being broken up due to the current political climate. This is not okay. Attacks on families and attacks on our most vulnerable population - children (transgender children specifically) are an egregious violation of the power of government. As a Texas Senator, I will fight for these families and do all I can to move them out of the line of fire. We must protect our children, not harm them.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Desarae Lindsey (L)

Oh goodness, my sense of humor is way too colorful for this platform.

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

Desarae Lindsey (L)

Emergency powers are a slippery slope. I would love to see more compassion and a healthy respect for individual freedom before granting emergency powers. My technical answer is yes, but with the caveat that we need some real, meaningful change.

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

Desarae Lindsey (L)

Compromise is indeed necessary, and must always err on the side of maximum freedom for all individuals.

See also

More about these elections:

• Texas State Senate elections, 2022

Select a district below to read responses from candidates in those races:

District 1District 2District 3District 4District 5District 6District 7District 8District 9District 10District 11District 12District 13District 14District 15District 16District 17District 18District 19District 20District 21District 22District 23District 24District 25District 26District 27District 28District 29District 30District 31Submit