Ruth Torres
About Ruth Torres
Ruth Torres (Democratic Party) (also known as Truth) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Texas' 5th Congressional District. She is on the ballot in the Democratic primary runoff on May 26, 2026. She advanced from the Democratic primary on March 3, 2026.
Issues Ledger
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Candidate on the Issues
[{"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Ruth Torres completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Torres' responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-311171-2026-01-06\" id=\"heading-bio-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-311171-2026-01-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-311171-2026-01-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><p><span id=\"docs-internal-guid-58e6ffb0-7fff-10ce-b1b3-fa68a29533b0\"></span></p><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 0.9; text-align: justify; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style='font-size: 11pt; font-family: \"Times New Roman\", serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>I’m a resilient, committed woman of faith calling Texas home for over 16 years and a bold warrior for a government that serves the people, not the 1%. </span><span style='font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \"Times New Roman\", serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>I’m 3</span><span style='font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \"Times New Roman\", serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;'><span style=\"font-size:0.6em;vertical-align:super;\">rd</span></span><span style='font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \"Times New Roman\", serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;'> of 6 kids to Linda Sue, a white country girl and Andres a black Puerto Rican, both from rural farming families. Now an empty nester, I’ve raised 5 beautiful racially diverse children as a single parent: 2 from a relationship with a police officer and 3 I took as my own when their mothers died very young due to lack of adequate medical care. </span></p><br/><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 0.9; text-align: justify; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style='font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \"Times New Roman\", serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>My disabled siblings and I went through foster homes & homeless shelters. I was a 10th grade dropout but became the first in my family to earn a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from DCCC & Dallas Baptist University via a daily 14 mile bicycle ride, a Master’s Degree in International Management from FIU and am currently completing my law degree. </span></p><br/><span style='font-size: 11pt; font-family: \"Times New Roman\", serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>I’m a strategic process improvement and problem solving expert</span><span style='font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \"Times New Roman\", serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;'> with over 20 years in Human Capital Strategic & Legal Compliance Consulting. I climbed the corporate ladder as a Human Resources Executive, opened a small business in 2007, was a business professor for 7 years, and Executive Director for a non-profit organization for at-risk youth.</span></span><p class=\"mw-empty-elt\"></p></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-311171-2026-01-06\" id=\"heading-key-message-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-311171-2026-01-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease 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?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-311171-2026-01-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>America is in a civil war. I have enlisted. The rigged systems perpetuating racism, inequity, oppression and corruption is destroying democracy. I’ll work to rebuild an improved democracy that better fulfills the promise of our constitution by championing reform in every branch and level for an accountable, competent government that serves the people, not the 1%.</li><li>My commitment and loyalty is to God and country, our constitution, truth and justice - not to any person or party. I will hold all accountable without favoritism for violating their oaths of office or the law.</li><li>Texas' enemy is greed and discrimination, even among democrats desperate to flip Texas but afraid a minority woman can't win in the general election so they choose to bow submitting to racism preferring to support less qualified, non-minority candidate. \r\n<p>I am the only democratic candidate for this seat that has consistently shown up and delivered results for the people of this district and Texas since at least 2016, without bias or favoritism regardless of party, wealth, race or popularity, at great personal cost. \r\n</p>\nI offer education, skills and experience to make impact on public policy that is balanced and impactful serving the people and small businesses of CD5, Texas and America while protecting our m</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-311171-2026-01-06\" id=\"heading1-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-311171-2026-01-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-311171-2026-01-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI am passionate about having an accountable, competent government that serves the people by providing access to quality public education, affordable healthcare and housing, worker rights and small businesses to sustainable quality of life reducing the wealth gap while protecting our most vulnerable, our children, elderly, and disabled.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-311171-2026-01-06\" id=\"heading2-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-311171-2026-01-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-311171-2026-01-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI look up to my mother, Linda Sue, now deceased who suffered much trauma to care for her children in poverty and lack of quality health care. I follow her as well as courageous people who stood against the odds like Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Shirley Chisholm, and John Lewis but also regular people who accomplished the impossible like Henrietta Wood. <br/><br/>\nWhy? I’m fighting for all our kids and their future. Giving up is not an option.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-311171-2026-01-06\" id=\"heading3-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-311171-2026-01-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-311171-2026-01-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tElected officials should be ethical, competent, and courageously committed to fulfilling their oath of office to defend our constitution, democracy, uphold our laws and serve American families, workers and businesses.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-311171-2026-01-06\" id=\"heading4-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-311171-2026-01-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading4-311171-2026-01-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tCore Responsibilities: <br/><br/>\n<p>1) Work to better fulfill constitutional promises. Uphold oath of office to defend our constitution and democracy, uphold our laws in the best interests of American families, workers and businesses with integrity and competency. <br/><br/>\n2) Include subject matter experts as well as constituent perspectives in developing balanced public policy that is responsible with taxpayer dollars. CD5 deserves a representative that serves CD5’s interests, shows up and listens and engages in honest, impactful communications.<br/><br/>\n3) Repair foreign policy relationships and promotion of American interests around the world without hypocrisy or abuse of power. <br/><br/>\n</p>\nLegacy: I join a unified legacy for the next Congress to rebuild our democracy by removing and holding corrupt, incompetent officials accountable, strengthen separation of powers and unrig systems of corruption, inequity, monopolies and discrimination to better serve America’s families, workers and small businesses- the 99%.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-311171-2026-01-06\" id=\"heading5-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-311171-2026-01-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading5-311171-2026-01-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 was on the news with a large group of regular people joyfully working together to take down the wall brick by brick. The world celebrated that wall coming down. I’d like to see us committed to unity for mutual respect and prosperity.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-311171-2026-01-06\" id=\"heading6-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-311171-2026-01-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was your very first job? How long did you have it?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading6-311171-2026-01-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI was 13 and sold newspaper subscriptions for a summer. In 9th grade, I worked as a grocery store cashier for about a year and a movie theater for 4 years where I worked my way into management within the first 6 months.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-311171-2026-01-06\" id=\"heading7-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse7-311171-2026-01-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is your favorite book? Why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading7-311171-2026-01-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse7-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI am a woman of faith, so the Bible, current favorite book is Isaiah. (See Isaiah 1:11-17, Isaiah 6:8, Isaiah 9:14-17, Isaiah 31:1-4). <br/><br/>\nI am very results oriented, so I read a lot of issue based items to understand and identify potential public policy solutions from authors like Noam Chomsky, Robert Reich, and Joseph Stiglitz.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-311171-2026-01-06\" id=\"heading8-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse8-311171-2026-01-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIf you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading8-311171-2026-01-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse8-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI would be the character from Quantum Leap, so I could go back in time to prevent tragedies, atrocities, and fix problems. <br/><br/>\n<p>I have experienced a great deal of trauma and challenge in my life which has developed resiliency and courage. I watched my mom suffer because domestic violence crimes weren’t enforced in the 80’s. I was in the foster care system. I have been hungry, scared, poor and abused. I was a 10th grade drop-out that returned to earn multiple degrees while working full-time and raising 5 children as a single parent. I cared for young children who had watched their mother’s die too young, and loved ones who are disabled with lack of access to quality healthcare. I have experienced employment and housing discrimination as a multi-racial woman. I lost two properties due to the housing crash of 2008. <br/><br/>\n</p>\nI know what it is to be victimized by government incompetency, corruption and simple lack of care, especially as a whistleblower since 2016 which has cost me at least $1.8M in lost wages to date with significant impact to me and my children, yet I was able to stop DFW Airport from robbing wages and benefits from hundreds of workers.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-311171-2026-01-06\" id=\"heading9-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse9-311171-2026-01-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading9-311171-2026-01-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse9-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe House and Senate together as Congress are one of the three branches of government designed to be a check and balance of power in representing the interests of the people and protecting national security. Congress writes laws for government operations for the Executive branch to execute and the Judiciary to interpret and enforce. <br/><br/>\n<p>The Senate is limited to 2 seats per state which is elected by state-wide vote every 6 years. <br/>\nThe House is unique in representing the people by population and demographics with the number of seats based on the population of each state elected every TWO years by voters in their specific district. <br/><br/>\n</p>\nTherefore, House representatives are designed and intended to best advocate for their district’s needs within national policy. House representatives should be knowledgeable, effectively communicate and work very hard with many stakeholders to develop the laws and get sufficient votes to pass laws that serve their district as well as national interests fairly.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-311171-2026-01-06\" id=\"heading10-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse10-311171-2026-01-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading10-311171-2026-01-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse10-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tAt this point, previous experience is far worse than no experience because many have submitted to a culture that fails to serve the people instead focused on self-profit, partying, lying, and loyalty to a corrupt person to hold onto power. <br/><br/>\nAs a Human Capital Consultant for over 20 years, I have learned to look for competency and ethics especially when systemic disparity has prevented access to leadership opportunities. Therefore, it’s more beneficial to evaluate skills and ability to perform job’s responsibilities with measurable results, knowledge of applicable laws and ability to develop policies which mitigate future risks via use of scenarios.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-311171-2026-01-06\" id=\"heading11-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse11-311171-2026-01-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading11-311171-2026-01-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse11-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tAlthough there have been long standing challenges and rigged economic systems, a wrecking ball has imposed significant damage to democracy, our institutions, infrastructure, finances, reputation and global relationships. <br/><br/>\n<p>Our greatest challenge is to rebuild a stronger democracy that better fulfills the promise of our constitution by championing reform in every branch and level for an accountable, competent government that serves the people, not the 1%.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nThis will require unrigging corrupt and oppressive systems, drive down debt, breaking up monopolies, implement new tax policies and programs to fairly tax corporations and 1% wealthiest to reduce the wage gap, support small businesses and make Americans safer, healthier and have affordable home ownership while being a respectable global citizen.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-311171-2026-01-06\" id=\"heading12-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse12-311171-2026-01-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading12-311171-2026-01-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse12-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tNo, within 6 months of election the next election cycle begins undermining the ability to focus on serving constituents. The focus is perpetually on staying in power and becoming wealthy by abusing that power instead of serving for results for the people. <br/><br/>\nI advocate for 4 year terms for both House and Senate representatives.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-311171-2026-01-06\" id=\"heading13-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse13-311171-2026-01-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat are your thoughts on term limits?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading13-311171-2026-01-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse13-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI support 4 year terms with a 3 term (12 years) term limit but only if there is also an improved Fairness Doctrine, overturning of Citizens United with caps and full transparency on campaign contributions as well as automatic forfeiture of seat due to change in political parties after election, violation of oath of office or failure to show up for work. <br/><br/>\n<p>I also advocate for: <br/>\n</p>\n<ul><li>No congressional pay during government shutdowns.<br/></li>\n<li>Ban on stock trades for congress, as well as all cabinet and federal executives who are involved in contracting decisions.<br/></li>\n<li>Limits with transparency on congressional representatives direct spending of tax dollars.<br/></li>\n<li>No use of tax payer dollars for settlements shielding elected officials from legal actions. <br/></li>\n<li>No continued benefits to government officials removed from office due to violations of law. <br/></li>\n<li>The same affordable and quality medical benefits congressional representatives have available to all Americans.\t\t\t</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-311171-2026-01-06\" id=\"heading14-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse14-311171-2026-01-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIs there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading14-311171-2026-01-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse14-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI have a great deal of respect for numerous political representatives including: John Lewis, Shirley Chisholm, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Sheila Jackson Lee, John McCain, Bennie Thompson, Jamie Raskin, Liz Cheney and all the members of the January 6th Committee, Luis Munoz Marin, Raul Ruiz, Julian and Joaquin Castro, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, and AOC- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. <br/><br/>\nUpon election, I will be the first democrat, the first woman and first minority to represent CD5 as well as the first Hispanic in US history elected to any of North Texas’ SEVEN congressional districts. I fully intended on demonstrating honor and integrity in this representation.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-311171-2026-01-06\" id=\"heading15-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse15-311171-2026-01-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading15-311171-2026-01-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse15-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tCompromise is necessary and desirable with a hard stop at unethical, illegal or harm to the people, especially vulnerable populations. I seek to include and listen to the people of my district as well as subject matter experts to understand perspectives, even from those I disagree with or who will never vote for me in developing mutually beneficial policies. Everyone may not love it, but it needs to be practical and get enough votes to become law, with accountability to my district for every vote.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse16-311171-2026-01-06\" id=\"heading16-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse16-311171-2026-01-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse16-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tThe Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading16-311171-2026-01-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse16-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI will seek to fully leverage the critical role of raising revenue to make significant changes to the tax code to stop enabling monopolies and the transfer of wealth to the 1% to the detriment of the 99%. I will advocate for a tax changes that:<br/><br/>\n<ul><li>STOP corporate welfare and subsidies that enable monopolies to instead support small and medium sized businesses and farms so that competition drives down consumer prices. <br/></li>\n<li>Fairly tax corporations closing many tax loopholes and tax avoidance mechanisms.<br/></li>\n<li>Tax high wage executives on a sliding scale for total compensation above 50x their average worker (including lowest paid positions) to reduce the wage gap and increase affordability. <br/></li>\n<li>Tax stocks and investments (especially when they are used as assets or leverage for borrowing) (not applicable to 401k’s, Roths and similar retirement savings accounts).<br/></li>\n<li>Remove the cap on social security payroll tax. <br/></li>\n<li>Pass the Ultra Millionaire Tax Act. <br/></li>\n<li>Tax corporations and private equity firms that own single family homes to disincentive short-term rentals and heavily tax long-term vacancies that limit available housing inventory and drive up housing costs. <br/></li>\n<li>Re-implement the expanded Child Tax Credit allowing access to our poorest families.<br/></li>\n<li>Reinstate the IRS’ free Direct File program for individuals and small businesses. <br/></li>\n<li>Better restrain use of non-profit status to avoid taxation.\t\t\t</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse17-311171-2026-01-06\" id=\"heading17-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse17-311171-2026-01-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse17-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tHow should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading17-311171-2026-01-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse17-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe House should use its investigative powers to discover the truth and refer for prosecution with cause holding government officials, contractors and industry leaders accountable without favoritism to party, wealth, popularity or any factor, ensuring public awareness of corruption while protecting and rewarding whistleblowers. <br/><br/>\nThe House has much to investigate including the Epstein files and the failure to prosecute to date, corruption in government contracting, mismanagement and disclosure of national security and American’s private data, failure to comply with laws and court orders, use of the military to murder and kidnap, ….the list grows daily.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse18-311171-2026-01-06\" id=\"heading18-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse18-311171-2026-01-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse18-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tCandidates hear many personal stories from voters. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching or memorable?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading18-311171-2026-01-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse18-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe families whose children’s lives were robbed when they were gunned down at school with no accountability or justice. <br/><br/>\n<p>A family living in fear and being robbed of wages because of immigration status, even when their young child died in an accident, instead of grieving and planning the funeral, they were franticly moving afraid they would be deported expecting police to show up to discuss the accident. <br/><br/>\nBeverly, the retired school teacher and widower forced to move out of her home of 30 years to rent and repeatedly move because she couldn’t afford her property taxes. <br/><br/>\nJashun, a legally blind worker whose employer reported more than the amount allowed by social security so her disability benefits were automatically stopped. <br/><br/>\nMultiple family owned businesses forced to close or barely exist due to monopolies and lack of access to government contracts. <br/><br/>\n</p>\nJohn, having difficulty maintaining construction work due to low-wage immigrant labor and an old marijuana charge and even when medical marijuana was made legal, he couldn’t open or work in that business due to the old conviction.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse19-311171-2026-01-06\" id=\"heading19-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse19-311171-2026-01-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse19-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is an accomplishment that you are proud of?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading19-311171-2026-01-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse19-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI’m a passionate advocate for government accountability that has brought results for Texans including:<br/><br/>\n<ul><li>Being an aggressive public education activist in Austin against vouchers. I also sought recovery of $88M in misappropriated Dallas ISD bond funds submitting a complaint to enforcement agencies. Subsequently DISD Superintendent Hinojosa resigned & three trustees were not allowed to seek re-election. My report also disrupted non-profits illegally buying school board seats for pro-charter/ pro-voucher candidates. <br/><br/></li>\n<li>I proposed legislation to stop street racing after 8 year old Olivia was killed, gained sponsorship and bi-partisan support resulting in HB2315, HB3212 & SB1766 which passed in 2021 protecting lives across Texas. <br/><br/></li>\n<li>I confronted mismanagement of HUD funds and lack of housing discrimination legal actions by the City of Dallas benefitting city council campaign contributors resulting in dozens of additional affordable housing units in downtown and ongoing legal action for records to enforce accountability. (See: Travis County: D-1-GN-19-003589)<br/><br/></li></ul>\n<p>Since 2016, I’ve lost $1.8M in personal income and experienced extreme retaliation fighting government corruption as a whistleblower which stopped DFW Airport from robbing hundreds of workers of wages and benefits. the DFW Airport contractor, Heaven Marie Diaz of Pursuit of Excellence Inc., was selectively indicted for the least of the illegal actions (See: UD NTX, 3:23-CR-00144-N). The press releases from the IRS, DOJ and media coverage all fail to mention the employees Heaven Marie Diaz stole $3 Million in taxes from were DFW Airport employees. <br/>\nSee: https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation/dallas-business-owner-sentenced-to-more-than-eight-years-in-prison-for-failing-to-pay-over-withheld-employment-taxes<br/><br/>\nI am still pursuing accountability against dozens of local and state government officials including Texas Governor Greg Abbott & Attorney General Ken Paxton with ongoing federal actions. <br/>\n</p>\n(See: US Courts NTX: 3:24-CV-1842-X, 3:24-CV-1843-B).\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse20-311171-2026-01-06\" id=\"heading20-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse20-311171-2026-01-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse20-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat role should the United States government have in the development or use of artificial intelligence?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading20-311171-2026-01-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse20-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe US should be hosting meetings with ethical IT leaders to develop legislation that promotes innovation while responsibly limiting the dangers of AI with accountability to those who use AI to harm American interests. Legislation should also require disclosure of use of AI with enforcement in federal agencies and court comparable with intellectual property.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse21-311171-2026-01-06\" id=\"heading21-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse21-311171-2026-01-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse21-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat legislation would you enact related to election administration in the United States?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading21-311171-2026-01-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse21-311171-2026-01-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI aggressively support:<br/><br/>\n<ul><li>The For the People Act to end partisan gerrymandering all parties, protect voting rights, strengthen ethics rules, make voting easier (auto-registration, early voting, protect mail-in voting), require greater transparency in political spending, and mandating stricter ethics for officials.<br/></li>\n<li>John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to ensure equitable representation for all by restoring and strengthening Voting Rights Act of 1965 addressing modern voter suppression and discriminatory voting laws after Supreme Court rulings weakened federal oversight. <br/></li>\n<li>Overturn Citizens United to strictly limit and require disclosure of campaign contributions. <br/></li>\n<li>A Fairness Doctrine and Truth in Political Advertising laws to require balanced and honest media coverage and prohibit false and misleading political advertising.\t\t\t</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> 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.</i></p></div>\n<div><div style=\"margin-bottom:1.5rem\"><h4>Campaign website</h4><p>Torres' campaign website stated the following:</p><div style=\"max-height:400px;overflow-y:auto;border:1px solid #ccc;padding:10px;margin:20px\"><blockquote style=\"margin:0px\"><h3>Government Accountability</h3><ul><li>Strengthen separation of powers between branches of government and non-partisanship and independence of DOJ, military and other selective agencies.</li><li>Remove and prosecute corrupt government officials.</li><li>NO WAR or military action unless responsive to clear, direct and immediate provocation. </li><li>Supreme Court reform and expansion (to 13- one per appeals district) </li><li class=\"ql-indent-1\">No more shadow docket.</li><li class=\"ql-indent-1\">Consider 2 – 3 panels or other procedure to increase productivity.</li><li class=\"ql-indent-1\">Ethics Code & Disciplinary Body to investigate federal judicial complaints & remove for cause.</li><li>Government & Judicial immunity pierced for violations of law by revising 42 USC 1983.</li><li>Presidential pardon eligibility limits and exclusions</li><li>NO privatization of government agencies</li><li>No days off or pay during shutdowns</li><li>All Congress: 4 Year terms with 3 terms (12 year) lifetime term limit</li><li>Ban stock trades for Congress and federal executives involved in contracting decisions.</li><li>Strict contracting controls with eligibility and contract performance requirements.</li><li>Limits with transparency on congressional representatives direct spending of tax dollars.</li><li>No use of tax payer dollars for settlements shielding government officials from misconduct or illegal actions. </li><li>Seat forfeiture for changing party after election, legal violation or job abandonment.</li><li>The same affordable and quality medical benefits congressional representatives have available to all Americans.</li></ul><h3>Protect Democracy & Voting Rights</h3><p><em>We must stop allowing government seats to be bought by the 1% to make the 99% poorer and sicker.</em></p><ul><li>Eliminate Citizens United (limit political donations with transparency)</li><li>Eliminate Electoral College & protect voter rights so every vote counts equally, popular vote wins.</li><li>End Gerrymandering (Fair, sensible maps not favoring any political party.)</li><li>For the People Act to protect voting rights and mail-in voting.</li><li class=\"ql-indent-1\">Ensure private right to sue & ability for multiple minority groups to form coalition under Voting Rights Act. </li><li>John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to ensure equitable representation and address modern voter suppression.</li><li>Fairness Doctrine and Truth in Political Advertising laws to require balanced media coverage, prohibit false and misleading political advertising.</li><li>Government issued photo ID validates identity to vote, even if expired. Public high schools, colleges, government employee ID and military ID's all qualify. </li></ul><h3>Border Security & Immigration Reform</h3><ul><li>Due Process, humane and dignified treatment for all.</li><li>Enable efficient processes securing our border and enforcement of expired visas and permits.</li><li>Mitigate border surges leveraging migrant programs and technology instead of an ineffective physical wall.</li><li>Reform number of admissions based on labor needs and available housing resources by city for initial 24 months with immediate eligibility to work and obtain driver's license upon entry. This enables the workforce needed to fuel our economy.</li><li class=\"ql-indent-1\">This eliminates benefits to migrants not available to US citizens and mitigates population concentrations.</li><li class=\"ql-indent-1\">Quotas based on formula tied to data points to automatically adjust quarterly. Add assessment on employable skills and incentivize English skills with language resources.</li><li>Citizenship for Dreamers</li><li>Dramatic process improvement to cut red tape & eliminate loopholes.</li><li>Programs and enforcement to stop human trafficking.</li><li>Fair & consistent treatment across all jurisdictions.</li><li>NO citizenship selling, No more catch & release, No more family separations or kids in cages.</li><li>Stop requirement to return to country of origin for when already legally in USA.</li></ul><h3>Social Security & Economy for the People</h3><ul><li><strong>Protect & expand Social Security, an earned investment. Safety nets for our elderly and disabled are non-negotiable. </strong></li><li class=\"ql-indent-1\">Increase earnings level allowed up to cost of living of zip code.</li><li><strong>UNRIG Wallstreet </strong></li><li><strong style=\"color: rgb(255, 0, 255);\">Reduce Deficit & balance budget within 12 years. Stop burdening future generations.</strong></li><li><strong>STOP corporate welfare and subsidies.</strong></li><li class=\"ql-indent-1\">Aggressively break-up monopolies controlling supply chains (groceries, housing, energy, and pharmaceuticals)</li><li class=\"ql-indent-1\">Instead support small and medium sized businesses and farms so that competition drives down consumer prices.</li><li>Strategic tariffs controlled by Congress.</li><li><strong>Invest in domestic manufacturing, production and employment </strong>strengthening national security and reduce foreign dependency.</li><li>Funding for roads and internet infrastructure. </li><li><strong>Tax offshore profits equal with domestic profits to stop incentive sending jobs overseas.</strong></li><li><strong style=\"color: rgb(255, 0, 255);\">Fairly tax corporations and 1%. </strong></li><li><strong>Increase minimum wage AND reduce the wage gap.</strong> Tax high wage executives on a sliding scale for total compensation above 50x their average worker (including lowest paid positions). </li><li>STOP Stock buybacks and tax stocks (when used as assets for loans).</li><li><strong style=\"color: rgb(255, 0, 255);\">Remove social security payroll tax cap.</strong></li><li>Strengthen safety net programs including paid child care.</li><li>Expand Child Tax Credit allowing access to our poorest families.</li><li>Reinstate the IRS’ free Direct File program for individuals and small businesses.</li><li>Better restrain use of non-profit status to avoid taxation.</li><li>Regulate bank mergers, cap banking fees, require separation of commercial and investment banking and prohibit abuses making being poor very expensive.</li><li>Corporate bankruptcy reform to protect employee pensions.</li><li><span style=\"color: rgb(255, 0, 255);\">Bankruptcy reform to include student loan forgiveness.</span></li><li>Develop corporate citizenship rating for government contracting eligibility requiring livable wages, benefits and public disclosure of wages and demographics of all workers and fair access for small, woman, veteran and minority owned businesses.</li><li><strong style=\"color: rgb(255, 0, 255);\">Regulate Bitcoin</strong> and make them pay for impact to environment, drain on water and electricity. </li><li>Consider US Postal Service Banking Services for rural communities. </li></ul><h3>Affordable, Quality Healthcare</h3><ul><li><strong>Single Payer System</strong> for core healthcare with reforms for provider services and streamlined billing and payment processing with \"bank\" in advance so providers want to participate.</li><li class=\"ql-indent-1\">Expand access to mental health and addiction treatment. </li><li class=\"ql-indent-1\">Promote provider co-ops.</li><li class=\"ql-indent-1\">Vision, hearing, non-cosmetic dental, prescription, substance abuse and mental health treatment included.</li><li class=\"ql-indent-1\">Exclusions for elective, cosmetic procedures not medically necessary.</li><li class=\"ql-indent-1\">Supplemental insurance available for purchase.</li><li class=\"ql-indent-1\">Removes businesses from healthcare management entirely. No loss of benefits due to a change or loss of employment or 1099 contractor status.</li><li>Prohibit health insurance companies and providers from being publicly traded.</li><li><strong>Regulate drug prices</strong> at fair price consistent with international pricing and sales volume.</li><li>Prevent monopolies and privatization to <strong>STOP medical deserts in rural communities. </strong></li><li>Prohibit insurance companies from dictating or restricting who can be added to their policy, no more requirement as to marriage, dependency or age.</li><li>Require providers to share trajectory information with patients based on health indicators and implement best care practices, ie. uncontrolled diabetes requires Automated Insulin Delivery System.</li><li>Prohibit providers from scheduling or care favoritism. </li><li>Tuition coverage for medical personnel.</li><li><strong style=\"color: rgb(255, 0, 255);\">Codify Roe leaving decisions to women and their doctor. </strong></li><li class=\"ql-indent-1\">Prohibit criminalization or penalty to women or providers.</li><li class=\"ql-indent-1\">Require care for miscarriages and medical emergencies.</li><li class=\"ql-indent-1\">Prohibit travel and birth control bans.</li><li>Protect IVF access (supplemental not included in core)</li></ul><h3>Affordable Housing</h3><ul><li><strong>Promote building</strong> and renovations while controlling density. Encourage zoning changes. </li><li>Stop abuse of HUD bonds and discrimination against housing programs.</li><li>Tax corporations limiting available housing inventory to drive up housing costs.</li><li>Expand first-time home ownership program.</li><li><strong>Reform Housing loan regulations to promote home ownership.</strong></li><li>Prohibit monopolies and price manipulations in home insurance and residential rental leases with incentives to limit price increases compared to profit.</li></ul><h3>Protect & Fund Education</h3><p><strong style=\"color: rgb(255, 0, 255);\">K-12:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Require proper education funding, teacher pay and accountability with taxpayer funds.</strong></li><li class=\"ql-indent-1\">Consistent operational and performance requirements.</li><li class=\"ql-indent-1\">Taxpayer ownership of school buildings.</li><li class=\"ql-indent-1\">Limit K-12 testing and require custom response to results to improve performance.</li><li><strong>Expand college credits & trade certifications in high school.</strong></li></ul><p> </p><p><strong style=\"color: rgb(255, 0, 255);\">Skilled Labor & College Tuition:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Free public tuition</strong> for up to 4 year degree with performance, completion and graduate employment requirements imposed on both institutions and students.</li><li>Provide options for skilled trade or college with assessments.</li><li>Limit tuition & fees on Pell Grant students.</li><li>Incentivize employer reimbursement programs.</li><li><strong>Student loan forgiveness for public service and non-profit workers.</strong></li><li>Deny federal funding to for-profit colleges which fail to provide graduates with living wages.</li><li>Re-instate income based student loan repayment plans. Retro-calculation of student loans to correct abusive fees and interest rates.</li><li>Reform of bankruptcy laws to include student loan debt.</li><li><strong>Student loan forgiveness:</strong></li><li class=\"ql-indent-1\">For teachers, law enforcement, first responders, medical field or other government, military or high need jobs.</li></ul><h3>Gun Safety</h3><ul><li><strong>Gun manufacturers & sellers can be sued</strong> (no more PLCAA). Criminal and civil liability to anyone who illegally provides access to weapons or knowing they will hurt themselves or others.</li><li><strong>Red flag laws.</strong></li><li class=\"ql-indent-1\">Close loopholes ensuring protection against domestic violence,</li><li class=\"ql-indent-1\">universal background checks,</li><li class=\"ql-indent-1\">raise minimum age to 21,</li><li class=\"ql-indent-1\">limits and reporting required on purchases, increased communications.</li><li class=\"ql-indent-1\">Better enforcement when military personnel or law enforcement has warning to remove weapons.</li><li>Gun training required on gun usage, storage and laws.</li><li><strong>Ban ghost guns, kits and other untraceable firearms.</strong></li><li>Ban open carry laws.</li><li><strong>Reinstate assault weapons ban.</strong></li><li class=\"ql-indent-1\">Exceptions for shooting ranges and grandfathered individuals who register weapons, submit to annual mental health exam, safe storage regulations and insurance.</li></ul><h3>DC & Puerto Rico</h3><ul><li><strong>DC Statehood </strong>immediately. Existing elected leaders into temporary roles until new election. </li></ul><p> </p><ul><li><strong>Puerto Rico statehood</strong> immediately <span style=\"color: rgb(255, 0, 255);\">with automatic complete independence within max of 10 years</span>- unless Puerto Rico election votes otherwise. This provides time to plan and be ready for independence.</li><li>Immediately exclude Puerto Rico and Hawaii from Jones Act or require competitive pricing on resident goods to stop crippling their economy and cost of living for residents.</li></ul><h3>Legalize marijuana</h3><ul><li>Legalize marijuana.</li><li>Expunge criminal records which are exclusive to marijuana possession or distribution.</li></ul><h3>Environment</h3><ul><li>Support mass transit.</li><li>Support Building Green.</li><li>Rejoin Paris Agreement & reimplement environmental regulations.</li><li>Invest in renewable energy & wireless power transfer. </li><li>Promote energy diversification and partnership with increased transition to green energy.</li><li>Stop subsidies and corporate welfare to oil industry.</li><li>Require clean-up by corporate polluters and abandoned wells. </li></ul><h3>International Commerce & Relationships</h3><ul><li><strong>Strategic tariffs controlled by Congress.</strong></li><li>Reinstate USAID</li><li>Re-join WHO</li><li>Support NATO & allies.</li><li>Stop being a shameful, greedy bully. </li><li class=\"ql-indent-1\">America must be a responsible global citizen caring about the most vulnerable, promoting democracy with accountability for taxpayer dollars.</li><li>Support international trade and mutually beneficial relationships respecting sovereignty of other nations.</li><li>Support Ukraine & strengthen sanctions on Russia.</li><li>STOP what Holocaust scholars identify as genocide and war crimes in Gaza.</li><li>Support Palestine independence and sovereignty. </li><li>Join International Criminal Court</li><li>Support investigation as to HOW October 7th occurred and prosecution of war crimes, without favoritism.</li></ul><h3>AI & Tech</h3><p><strong>Social Media & AI Accountability:</strong></p><ul><li>Stop monopolies and regulate AI comparable with Intellectual Property.</li><li>Host meetings with ethical IT leaders to develop legislation that promotes innovation while responsibly limiting the dangers of AI with accountability to those who use AI to harm American interests.</li><li>Fairness Doctrine to prohibit False or Misleading Advertisements against poster and platform. </li><li><strong>Protect youth</strong>, require and enforce posting ratings.</li><li>Accountable for data protection and usage, algorithm management or manipulation which causes harm and notification to law enforcement for threats of harm or broadcasted harm.</li><li class=\"ql-indent-1\">Disclosure required of AI usage.</li><li class=\"ql-indent-1\"><strong>Character likeness require advance approval & share in profits.</strong></li><li class=\"ql-indent-1\">Mitigate risks and potential abuses</li></ul></blockquote><div style=\"text-align: right; font-size: 0.9em; color: #555; margin-top: 0.5em;\"><p style=\"font-size:0.9em;color:#555\">— Ruth Torres' <a href=\"https://truthincongress.com/issues/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">campaign website</a> (February 19, 2026)</p></div></div></div><div style=\"text-align: center; font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;\"><i>Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.</i></div></div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"></div>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Ruth Torres completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Torres' responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-203020-2023-10-15\" id=\"heading-bio-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-203020-2023-10-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-203020-2023-10-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tRuth is a strategic and hands-on problem solver, turning chaos into order while championing worker rights for over 25 years as an HR Leader, entrepreneur, business professor, lecturer, author and Executive Director for a non-profit organization for at-risk youth. In 2016, Ruth was a whistleblower against government corruption and inspired her to run for office to bring government reform. The events of January 6th & the recent failure to impeach Ken Paxton has made Ruth more determined to fight for a government that works for the people instead of against US.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-203020-2023-10-15\" id=\"heading-key-message-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-203020-2023-10-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease 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?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-203020-2023-10-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>In 2024, Democracy is on the ballot. For the sake of our children, grandchildren and those who lost their lives to give us a democracy, we must put love of COUNTRY above party and bias and bring REFORM to every area of government to stop laws for sale and conflicts of interest.</li><li>Fund & protect public education, not dismantle it to profit the few while robbing our children of their education.</li><li>BALANCE & RESPECT is needed to work together to bring real solutions to the issues Americans face daily to care for our families.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-203020-2023-10-15\" id=\"heading1-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-203020-2023-10-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-203020-2023-10-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI am passionate about protecting our democracy, for government working for the people as intended by our constitution. I refuse to accept 1% getting richer while making everyone else poorer and buying seats for Judas officials selling us out for their profit and our harm. <br/><br/>\n<p>I am passionate about justice, equity and fair representation for everyone. <br/><br/>\n</p>\nI am most concerned for the most vulnerable in our society, children, the elderly, disabled and special needs and women. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-203020-2023-10-15\" id=\"heading2-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-203020-2023-10-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-203020-2023-10-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tDr. Martin Luther King, Jr. , Henrietta Wood, Juanita Craft, Rosa Parks- so many that were just normal people trying to live when circumstances required they fight for their rights- to do the extra-ordinary against all odds even when many of their own told them to sit down and be quiet and be happy with what they had, not to \"make trouble\". Leaders shook off the constraints of decades, centuries of conditioning to do what needed to be done. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-203020-2023-10-15\" id=\"heading3-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-203020-2023-10-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIs there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-203020-2023-10-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tBooks: The Bible, The Price of Inequality by Joseph E. Stiglitz<br/>\r\nFilm: The Matrix\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-203020-2023-10-15\" id=\"heading4-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-203020-2023-10-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading4-203020-2023-10-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tEvery elected officials should demonstrate ethics, integrity and commitment to serve the people. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-203020-2023-10-15\" id=\"heading5-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-203020-2023-10-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading5-203020-2023-10-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI am ethical and will speak truth even when unpopular. I am resilient, adaptable, down to earth and very relatable. I enjoy understanding people and respect their perspectives, even if I disagree with their position. I will listen and explain to try to show other perspectives, to get them to walk a mile in the shoes of others. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-203020-2023-10-15\" id=\"heading6-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-203020-2023-10-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading6-203020-2023-10-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tTo serve the people and interests of the United States with competency, uncompromising ethics, integrity and diligence to enforce the purpose, rights and commitment of our constitution. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-203020-2023-10-15\" id=\"heading7-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse7-203020-2023-10-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat legacy would you like to leave?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading7-203020-2023-10-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse7-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tTo lead, to walk in faith and fight for change that is needed no matter how impossible the circumstances. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-203020-2023-10-15\" id=\"heading8-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse8-203020-2023-10-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading8-203020-2023-10-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse8-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tBeing in fostercare, about 5 years old\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-203020-2023-10-15\" id=\"heading9-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse9-203020-2023-10-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was your very first job? How long did you have it?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading9-203020-2023-10-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse9-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMy first job, I was 13 and sold newspaper subscriptions. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-203020-2023-10-15\" id=\"heading10-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse10-203020-2023-10-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is your favorite book? Why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading10-203020-2023-10-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse10-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe Bible, it is a life instruction manual and love letter. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-203020-2023-10-15\" id=\"heading11-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse11-203020-2023-10-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIf you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading11-203020-2023-10-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse11-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tA phoenix \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-203020-2023-10-15\" id=\"heading12-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse12-203020-2023-10-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was the last song that got stuck in your head?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading12-203020-2023-10-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse12-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tStand Up by Cynthia Erivo & Believe For It by Cece Winans\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-203020-2023-10-15\" id=\"heading13-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse13-203020-2023-10-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is something that has been a struggle in your life?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading13-203020-2023-10-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse13-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tNothing has been easy in my life. I wouldn't know what to do with a life free from struggle. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-203020-2023-10-15\" id=\"heading14-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse14-203020-2023-10-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading14-203020-2023-10-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse14-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe ability to make laws that affects America, the world and impact generations. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-203020-2023-10-15\" id=\"heading15-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse15-203020-2023-10-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading15-203020-2023-10-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse15-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI think it's beneficial for representatives to understand how government works. While either having experience or mentorship to some degree may be beneficial, it could also be harmful by maintaining the status quo. Having the ability to work with diverse groups, to unite for common cause with new energy and perspective with commitment to serve people should be far more beneficial to bringing solution based legislation than prior political experience. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse16-203020-2023-10-15\" id=\"heading16-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse16-203020-2023-10-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse16-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading16-203020-2023-10-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse16-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tReform of government to protect our democracy and prevent dictatorship / fascism. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse17-203020-2023-10-15\" id=\"heading17-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse17-203020-2023-10-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse17-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading17-203020-2023-10-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse17-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tNo, it takes 2 years for a new hire to learn the organization, culture, processes and really begin to be effective. I believe at least 3 years is appropriate, with maximum 12 year term limit. Each election cycle should elect 1/3rd of the house and senate. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse18-203020-2023-10-15\" id=\"heading18-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse18-203020-2023-10-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse18-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat are your thoughts on term limits?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading18-203020-2023-10-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse18-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tWe NEED term limits. I think we should stagger these elections to replace a 3rd of the congressional seats every 2 year election cycle while extending the time to 3 or 4 years per election and a maximum lifetime of 12 years in the house and 12 in the senate. <br/><br/>\r\nEqually important is to STOP allowing seats to be bought by big business and 1% for laws for sake that make them richer and the rest of America poorer and less empowered. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse19-203020-2023-10-15\" id=\"heading19-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse19-203020-2023-10-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse19-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tBoth 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?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading19-203020-2023-10-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse19-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThere was a woman who had a life threatening illness that needed regular treatment. She did not have transportation and relied upon medical transport. During Covid, many of the normal facilities were closed. The only place open to give her the treatment was 5 miles beyond the distance allowed by the medical transport policies. She couldn't get the treatment and died in the arms of her husband, because of a policy technicality. <br/><br/>\r\nThere was a woman blind from birth who's social security benefits were suddenly stopped because she got a promotion at work and due to the timing of her promotion, she received too much in one month to the policy and SSA was failing to recognize the higher level of income threshold allowed for blindness versus non-blind disability. The SSA offices were closed and she couldn't get through the phone lines. She ended up homeless because of a policy issue and no way to get immediate relief. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse20-203020-2023-10-15\" id=\"heading20-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse20-203020-2023-10-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse20-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tTell us your favorite joke.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading20-203020-2023-10-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse20-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tA shepherd was herding his flock in a remote pasture when suddenly a<br/>\n<p>brand-new sportscar advanced out of the dust cloud towards him. The driver, a<br/>\r\nyoung man in an expensive suit leaned out the window and asked the shepherd... \"If I tell you exactly how<br/>\r\nmany sheep you have in your flock, will you give me one?\" The shepherd<br/>\r\nlooked at the man looked at his peacefully<br/>\r\ngrazing flock and calmly answered \"sure\".<br/><br/>\r\nHe parked his car, whipped out his laptop and connected it<br/>\r\nto a cell phone, then he surfed to a page on the internet where he<br/>\r\ncalled up a GPS satellite navigation system, scanned the area, and then<br/>\r\nopened up a database and an Excel spreadsheet with complex formulas.<br/><br/>\r\nFinally, he prints out a 130-page report on his miniaturized<br/>\r\nprinter then turns to the shepherd and says, \"You have exactly 1586 sheep.<br/>\r\n\"That is correct; take one of the sheep.\" said the shepherd. He watches<br/>\r\nthe young man select one of the animals and bundle it into his car.<br/>\r\nThen the shepherd says: \"If I can tell you exactly what your business is,<br/>\r\nwill you give me back my animal?\", \"OK, why not.\" answered the young man.<br/><br/>\r\n\"Clearly, you are a consultant.\" said the shepherd. \"That's correct.\" says<br/>\r\nthe young man, \"but how did you guess that?\" \"No guessing required.\" answers<br/>\r\nthe shepherd. \"You turned up here although nobody called you. You want to<br/>\r\nget paid for an answer I already knew, to a question I never asked, and<br/>\n</p>\nyou don't know crap about my business...... Now give me back my dog.\"<br/></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse21-203020-2023-10-15\" id=\"heading21-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse21-203020-2023-10-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse21-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading21-203020-2023-10-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse21-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tCompromise is strongly preferred to accomplish reasonable solutions that protect the most vulnerable and benefit American interests, not just the 1%. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse22-203020-2023-10-15\" id=\"heading22-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse22-203020-2023-10-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse22-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tThe Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading22-203020-2023-10-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse22-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tGovernment Reform is a top priority which requires tax policy revision for businesses and 1% to pay their fair share of taxes. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse23-203020-2023-10-15\" id=\"heading23-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse23-203020-2023-10-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse23-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tHow should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading23-203020-2023-10-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse23-203020-2023-10-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThere should be no hypocrisy but hold all accountable without bias or favoritism. Investigations should legitimately be focused on abuse of power or criminal activities by elected or appointed government officials, not partisan weaponry. If the party in control would not investigate their own for the same alleged conduct, then House powers should not be used to attack opposing party. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> 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.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nRuth Torres completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Torres' responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. I’m a resilient, committed woman of faith calling Texas home for over 16 years and a bold warrior for a government that serves the people, not the 1%. I’m 3 rd of 6 kids to Linda Sue, a white country girl and Andres a black Puerto Rican, both from rural farming families. Now an empty nester, I’ve raised 5 beautiful racially diverse children as a single parent: 2 from a relationship with a police officer and 3 I took as my own when their mothers died very young due to lack of adequate medical care. My disabled siblings and I went through foster homes & homeless shelters. I was a 10th grade dropout but became the first in my family to earn a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from DCCC & Dallas Baptist University via a daily 14 mile bicycle ride, a Master’s Degree in International Management from FIU and am currently completing my law degree. I’m a strategic process improvement and problem solving expert with over 20 years in Human Capital Strategic & Legal Compliance Consulting. I climbed the corporate ladder as a Human Resources Executive, opened a small business in 2007, was a business professor for 7 years, and Executive Director for a non-profit organization for at-risk youth. 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? America is in a civil war. I have enlisted. The rigged systems perpetuating racism, inequity, oppression and corruption is destroying democracy. I’ll work to rebuild an improved democracy that better fulfills the promise of our constitution by championing reform in every branch and level for an accountable, competent government that serves the people, not the 1%. My commitment and loyalty is to God and country, our constitution, truth and justice - not to any person or party. I will hold all accountable without favoritism for violating their oaths of office or the law. Texas' enemy is greed and discrimination, even among democrats desperate to flip Texas but afraid a minority woman can't win in the general election so they choose to bow submitting to racism preferring to support less qualified, non-minority candidate. I am the only democratic candidate for this seat that has consistently shown up and delivered results for the people of this district and Texas since at least 2016, without bias or favoritism regardless of party, wealth, race or popularity, at great personal cost. I offer education, skills and experience to make impact on public policy that is balanced and impactful serving the people and small businesses of CD5, Texas and America while protecting our m What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? I am passionate about having an accountable, competent government that serves the people by providing access to quality public education, affordable healthcare and housing, worker rights and small businesses to sustainable quality of life reducing the wealth gap while protecting our most vulnerable, our children, elderly, and disabled. Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why? I look up to my mother, Linda Sue, now deceased who suffered much trauma to care for her children in poverty and lack of quality health care. I follow her as well as courageous people who stood against the odds like Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Shirley Chisholm, and John Lewis but also regular people who accomplished the impossible like Henrietta Wood. Why? I’m fighting for all our kids and their future. Giving up is not an option. What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? Elected officials should be ethical, competent, and courageously committed to fulfilling their oath of office to defend our constitution, democracy, uphold our laws and serve American families, workers and businesses. What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? Core Responsibilities: 1) Work to better fulfill constitutional promises. Uphold oath of office to defend our constitution and democracy, uphold our laws in the best interests of American families, workers and businesses with integrity and competency. 2) Include subject matter experts as well as constituent perspectives in developing balanced public policy that is responsible with taxpayer dollars. CD5 deserves a representative that serves CD5’s interests, shows up and listens and engages in honest, impactful communications. 3) Repair foreign policy relationships and promotion of American interests around the world without hypocrisy or abuse of power. Legacy: I join a unified legacy for the next Congress to rebuild our democracy by removing and holding corrupt, incompetent officials accountable, strengthen separation of powers and unrig systems of corruption, inequity, monopolies and discrimination to better serve America’s families, workers and small businesses- the 99%. What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time? The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 was on the news with a large group of regular people joyfully working together to take down the wall brick by brick. The world celebrated that wall coming down. I’d like to see us committed to unity for mutual respect and prosperity. What was your very first job? How long did you have it? I was 13 and sold newspaper subscriptions for a summer. In 9th grade, I worked as a grocery store cashier for about a year and a movie theater for 4 years where I worked my way into management within the first 6 months. What is your favorite book? Why? I am a woman of faith, so the Bible, current favorite book is Isaiah. (See Isaiah 1:11-17, Isaiah 6:8, Isaiah 9:14-17, Isaiah 31:1-4). I am very results oriented, so I read a lot of issue based items to understand and identify potential public policy solutions from authors like Noam Chomsky, Robert Reich, and Joseph Stiglitz. If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be? I would be the character from Quantum Leap, so I could go back in time to prevent tragedies, atrocities, and fix problems. I have experienced a great deal of trauma and challenge in my life which has developed resiliency and courage. I watched my mom suffer because domestic violence crimes weren’t enforced in the 80’s. I was in the foster care system. I have been hungry, scared, poor and abused. I was a 10th grade drop-out that returned to earn multiple degrees while working full-time and raising 5 children as a single parent. I cared for young children who had watched their mother’s die too young, and loved ones who are disabled with lack of access to quality healthcare. I have experienced employment and housing discrimination as a multi-racial woman. I lost two properties due to the housing crash of 2008. I know what it is to be victimized by government incompetency, corruption and simple lack of care, especially as a whistleblower since 2016 which has cost me at least $1.8M in lost wages to date with significant impact to me and my children, yet I was able to stop DFW Airport from robbing wages and benefits from hundreds of workers. What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution? The House and Senate together as Congress are one of the three branches of government designed to be a check and balance of power in representing the interests of the people and protecting national security. Congress writes laws for government operations for the Executive branch to execute and the Judiciary to interpret and enforce. The Senate is limited to 2 seats per state which is elected by state-wide vote every 6 years. The House is unique in representing the people by population and demographics with the number of seats based on the population of each state elected every TWO years by voters in their specific district. Therefore, House representatives are designed and intended to best advocate for their district’s needs within national policy. House representatives should be knowledgeable, effectively communicate and work very hard with many stakeholders to develop the laws and get sufficient votes to pass laws that serve their district as well as national interests fairly. Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics? At this point, previous experience is far worse than no experience because many have submitted to a culture that fails to serve the people instead focused on self-profit, partying, lying, and loyalty to a corrupt person to hold onto power. As a Human Capital Consultant for over 20 years, I have learned to look for competency and ethics especially when systemic disparity has prevented access to leadership opportunities. Therefore, it’s more beneficial to evaluate skills and ability to perform job’s responsibilities with measurable results, knowledge of applicable laws and ability to develop policies which mitigate future risks via use of scenarios. What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade? Although there have been long standing challenges and rigged economic systems, a wrecking ball has imposed significant damage to democracy, our institutions, infrastructure, finances, reputation and global relationships. Our greatest challenge is to rebuild a stronger democracy that better fulfills the promise of our constitution by championing reform in every branch and level for an accountable, competent government that serves the people, not the 1%. This will require unrigging corrupt and oppressive systems, drive down debt, breaking up monopolies, implement new tax policies and programs to fairly tax corporations and 1% wealthiest to reduce the wage gap, support small businesses and make Americans safer, healthier and have affordable home ownership while being a respectable global citizen. Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives? No, within 6 months of election the next election cycle begins undermining the ability to focus on serving constituents. The focus is perpetually on staying in power and becoming wealthy by abusing that power instead of serving for results for the people. I advocate for 4 year terms for both House and Senate representatives. What are your thoughts on term limits? I support 4 year terms with a 3 term (12 years) term limit but only if there is also an improved Fairness Doctrine, overturning of Citizens United with caps and full transparency on campaign contributions as well as automatic forfeiture of seat due to change in political parties after election, violation of oath of office or failure to show up for work. I also advocate for: No congressional pay during government shutdowns. Ban on stock trades for congress, as well as all cabinet and federal executives who are involved in contracting decisions. Limits with transparency on congressional representatives direct spending of tax dollars. No use of tax payer dollars for settlements shielding elected officials from legal actions. No continued benefits to government officials removed from office due to violations of law. The same affordable and quality medical benefits congressional representatives have available to all Americans. Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after? I have a great deal of respect for numerous political representatives including: John Lewis, Shirley Chisholm, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Sheila Jackson Lee, John McCain, Bennie Thompson, Jamie Raskin, Liz Cheney and all the members of the January 6th Committee, Luis Munoz Marin, Raul Ruiz, Julian and Joaquin Castro, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, and AOC- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Upon election, I will be the first democrat, the first woman and first minority to represent CD5 as well as the first Hispanic in US history elected to any of North Texas’ SEVEN congressional districts. I fully intended on demonstrating honor and integrity in this representation. Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking? Compromise is necessary and desirable with a hard stop at unethical, illegal or harm to the people, especially vulnerable populations. I seek to include and listen to the people of my district as well as subject matter experts to understand perspectives, even from those I disagree with or who will never vote for me in developing mutually beneficial policies. Everyone may not love it, but it needs to be practical and get enough votes to become law, with accountability to my district for every vote. The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected? I will seek to fully leverage the critical role of raising revenue to make significant changes to the tax code to stop enabling monopolies and the transfer of wealth to the 1% to the detriment of the 99%. I will advocate for a tax changes that: STOP corporate welfare and subsidies that enable monopolies to instead support small and medium sized businesses and farms so that competition drives down consumer prices. Fairly tax corporations closing many tax loopholes and tax avoidance mechanisms. Tax high wage executives on a sliding scale for total compensation above 50x their average worker (including lowest paid positions) to reduce the wage gap and increase affordability. Tax stocks and investments (especially when they are used as assets or leverage for borrowing) (not applicable to 401k’s, Roths and similar retirement savings accounts). Remove the cap on social security payroll tax. Pass the Ultra Millionaire Tax Act. Tax corporations and private equity firms that own single family homes to disincentive short-term rentals and heavily tax long-term vacancies that limit available housing inventory and drive up housing costs. Re-implement the expanded Child Tax Credit allowing access to our poorest families. Reinstate the IRS’ free Direct File program for individuals and small businesses. Better restrain use of non-profit status to avoid taxation. How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers? The House should use its investigative powers to discover the truth and refer for prosecution with cause holding government officials, contractors and industry leaders accountable without favoritism to party, wealth, popularity or any factor, ensuring public awareness of corruption while protecting and rewarding whistleblowers. The House has much to investigate including the Epstein files and the failure to prosecute to date, corruption in government contracting, mismanagement and disclosure of national security and American’s private data, failure to comply with laws and court orders, use of the military to murder and kidnap, ….the list grows daily. Candidates hear many personal stories from voters. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching or memorable? The families whose children’s lives were robbed when they were gunned down at school with no accountability or justice. A family living in fear and being robbed of wages because of immigration status, even when their young child died in an accident, instead of grieving and planning the funeral, they were franticly moving afraid they would be deported expecting police to show up to discuss the accident. Beverly, the retired school teacher and widower forced to move out of her home of 30 years to rent and repeatedly move because she couldn’t afford her property taxes. Jashun, a legally blind worker whose employer reported more than the amount allowed by social security so her disability benefits were automatically stopped. Multiple family owned businesses forced to close or barely exist due to monopolies and lack of access to government contracts. John, having difficulty maintaining construction work due to low-wage immigrant labor and an old marijuana charge and even when medical marijuana was made legal, he couldn’t open or work in that business due to the old conviction. What is an accomplishment that you are proud of? I’m a passionate advocate for government accountability that has brought results for Texans including: Being an aggressive public education activist in Austin against vouchers. I also sought recovery of $88M in misappropriated Dallas ISD bond funds submitting a complaint to enforcement agencies. Subsequently DISD Superintendent Hinojosa resigned & three trustees were not allowed to seek re-election. My report also disrupted non-profits illegally buying school board seats for pro-charter/ pro-voucher candidates. I proposed legislation to stop street racing after 8 year old Olivia was killed, gained sponsorship and bi-partisan support resulting in HB2315, HB3212 & SB1766 which passed in 2021 protecting lives across Texas. I confronted mismanagement of HUD funds and lack of housing discrimination legal actions by the City of Dallas benefitting city council campaign contributors resulting in dozens of additional affordable housing units in downtown and ongoing legal action for records to enforce accountability. (See: Travis County: D-1-GN-19-003589) Since 2016, I’ve lost $1.8M in personal income and experienced extreme retaliation fighting government corruption as a whistleblower which stopped DFW Airport from robbing hundreds of workers of wages and benefits. the DFW Airport contractor, Heaven Marie Diaz of Pursuit of Excellence Inc., was selectively indicted for the least of the illegal actions (See: UD NTX, 3:23-CR-00144-N). The press releases from the IRS, DOJ and media coverage all fail to mention the employees Heaven Marie Diaz stole $3 Million in taxes from were DFW Airport employees. See: https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation/dallas-business-owner-sentenced-to-more-than-eight-years-in-prison-for-failing-to-pay-over-withheld-employment-taxes I am still pursuing accountability against dozens of local and state government officials including Texas Governor Greg Abbott & Attorney General Ken Paxton with ongoing federal actions. (See: US Courts NTX: 3:24-CV-1842-X, 3:24-CV-1843-B). What role should the United States government have in the development or use of artificial intelligence? The US should be hosting meetings with ethical IT leaders to develop legislation that promotes innovation while responsibly limiting the dangers of AI with accountability to those who use AI to harm American interests. Legislation should also require disclosure of use of AI with enforcement in federal agencies and court comparable with intellectual property. What legislation would you enact related to election administration in the United States? I aggressively support: The For the People Act to end partisan gerrymandering all parties, protect voting rights, strengthen ethics rules, make voting easier (auto-registration, early voting, protect mail-in voting), require greater transparency in political spending, and mandating stricter ethics for officials. John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to ensure equitable representation for all by restoring and strengthening Voting Rights Act of 1965 addressing modern voter suppression and discriminatory voting laws after Supreme Court rulings weakened federal oversight. Overturn Citizens United to strictly limit and require disclosure of campaign contributions. A Fairness Doctrine and Truth in Political Advertising laws to require balanced and honest media coverage and prohibit false and misleading political advertising.\nNote: 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.\nCampaign website Torres' campaign website stated the following: Government Accountability Strengthen separation of powers between branches of government and non-partisanship and independence of DOJ, military and other selective agencies. Remove and prosecute corrupt government officials. NO WAR or military action unless responsive to clear, direct and immediate provocation. Supreme Court reform and expansion (to 13- one per appeals district) No more shadow docket. Consider 2 – 3 panels or other procedure to increase productivity. Ethics Code & Disciplinary Body to investigate federal judicial complaints & remove for cause. Government & Judicial immunity pierced for violations of law by revising 42 USC 1983. Presidential pardon eligibility limits and exclusions NO privatization of government agencies No days off or pay during shutdowns All Congress: 4 Year terms with 3 terms (12 year) lifetime term limit Ban stock trades for Congress and federal executives involved in contracting decisions. Strict contracting controls with eligibility and contract performance requirements. Limits with transparency on congressional representatives direct spending of tax dollars. No use of tax payer dollars for settlements shielding government officials from misconduct or illegal actions. Seat forfeiture for changing party after election, legal violation or job abandonment. The same affordable and quality medical benefits congressional representatives have available to all Americans. Protect Democracy & Voting Rights We must stop allowing government seats to be bought by the 1% to make the 99% poorer and sicker. Eliminate Citizens United (limit political donations with transparency) Eliminate Electoral College & protect voter rights so every vote counts equally, popular vote wins. End Gerrymandering (Fair, sensible maps not favoring any political party.) For the People Act to protect voting rights and mail-in voting. Ensure private right to sue & ability for multiple minority groups to form coalition under Voting Rights Act. John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to ensure equitable representation and address modern voter suppression. Fairness Doctrine and Truth in Political Advertising laws to require balanced media coverage, prohibit false and misleading political advertising. Government issued photo ID validates identity to vote, even if expired. Public high schools, colleges, government employee ID and military ID's all qualify. Border Security & Immigration Reform Due Process, humane and dignified treatment for all. Enable efficient processes securing our border and enforcement of expired visas and permits. Mitigate border surges leveraging migrant programs and technology instead of an ineffective physical wall. Reform number of admissions based on labor needs and available housing resources by city for initial 24 months with immediate eligibility to work and obtain driver's license upon entry. This enables the workforce needed to fuel our economy. This eliminates benefits to migrants not available to US citizens and mitigates population concentrations. Quotas based on formula tied to data points to automatically adjust quarterly. Add assessment on employable skills and incentivize English skills with language resources. Citizenship for Dreamers Dramatic process improvement to cut red tape & eliminate loopholes. Programs and enforcement to stop human trafficking. Fair & consistent treatment across all jurisdictions. NO citizenship selling, No more catch & release, No more family separations or kids in cages. Stop requirement to return to country of origin for when already legally in USA. Social Security & Economy for the People Protect & expand Social Security, an earned investment. Safety nets for our elderly and disabled are non-negotiable. Increase earnings level allowed up to cost of living of zip code. UNRIG Wallstreet Reduce Deficit & balance budget within 12 years. Stop burdening future generations. STOP corporate welfare and subsidies. Aggressively break-up monopolies controlling supply chains (groceries, housing, energy, and pharmaceuticals) Instead support small and medium sized businesses and farms so that competition drives down consumer prices. Strategic tariffs controlled by Congress. Invest in domestic manufacturing, production and employment strengthening national security and reduce foreign dependency. Funding for roads and internet infrastructure. Tax offshore profits equal with domestic profits to stop incentive sending jobs overseas. Fairly tax corporations and 1%. Increase minimum wage AND reduce the wage gap. Tax high wage executives on a sliding scale for total compensation above 50x their average worker (including lowest paid positions). STOP Stock buybacks and tax stocks (when used as assets for loans). Remove social security payroll tax cap. Strengthen safety net programs including paid child care. Expand Child Tax Credit allowing access to our poorest families. Reinstate the IRS’ free Direct File program for individuals and small businesses. Better restrain use of non-profit status to avoid taxation. Regulate bank mergers, cap banking fees, require separation of commercial and investment banking and prohibit abuses making being poor very expensive. Corporate bankruptcy reform to protect employee pensions. Bankruptcy reform to include student loan forgiveness. Develop corporate citizenship rating for government contracting eligibility requiring livable wages, benefits and public disclosure of wages and demographics of all workers and fair access for small, woman, veteran and minority owned businesses. Regulate Bitcoin and make them pay for impact to environment, drain on water and electricity. Consider US Postal Service Banking Services for rural communities. Affordable, Quality Healthcare Single Payer System for core healthcare with reforms for provider services and streamlined billing and payment processing with \"bank\" in advance so providers want to participate. Expand access to mental health and addiction treatment. Promote provider co-ops. Vision, hearing, non-cosmetic dental, prescription, substance abuse and mental health treatment included. Exclusions for elective, cosmetic procedures not medically necessary. Supplemental insurance available for purchase. Removes businesses from healthcare management entirely. No loss of benefits due to a change or loss of employment or 1099 contractor status. Prohibit health insurance companies and providers from being publicly traded. Regulate drug prices at fair price consistent with international pricing and sales volume. Prevent monopolies and privatization to STOP medical deserts in rural communities. Prohibit insurance companies from dictating or restricting who can be added to their policy, no more requirement as to marriage, dependency or age. Require providers to share trajectory information with patients based on health indicators and implement best care practices, ie. uncontrolled diabetes requires Automated Insulin Delivery System. Prohibit providers from scheduling or care favoritism. Tuition coverage for medical personnel. Codify Roe leaving decisions to women and their doctor. Prohibit criminalization or penalty to women or providers. Require care for miscarriages and medical emergencies. Prohibit travel and birth control bans. Protect IVF access (supplemental not included in core) Affordable Housing Promote building and renovations while controlling density. Encourage zoning changes. Stop abuse of HUD bonds and discrimination against housing programs. Tax corporations limiting available housing inventory to drive up housing costs. Expand first-time home ownership program. Reform Housing loan regulations to promote home ownership. Prohibit monopolies and price manipulations in home insurance and residential rental leases with incentives to limit price increases compared to profit. Protect & Fund Education K-12: Require proper education funding, teacher pay and accountability with taxpayer funds. Consistent operational and performance requirements. Taxpayer ownership of school buildings. Limit K-12 testing and require custom response to results to improve performance. Expand college credits & trade certifications in high school. Skilled Labor & College Tuition: Free public tuition for up to 4 year degree with performance, completion and graduate employment requirements imposed on both institutions and students. Provide options for skilled trade or college with assessments. Limit tuition & fees on Pell Grant students. Incentivize employer reimbursement programs. Student loan forgiveness for public service and non-profit workers. Deny federal funding to for-profit colleges which fail to provide graduates with living wages. Re-instate income based student loan repayment plans. Retro-calculation of student loans to correct abusive fees and interest rates. Reform of bankruptcy laws to include student loan debt. Student loan forgiveness: For teachers, law enforcement, first responders, medical field or other government, military or high need jobs. Gun Safety Gun manufacturers & sellers can be sued (no more PLCAA). Criminal and civil liability to anyone who illegally provides access to weapons or knowing they will hurt themselves or others. Red flag laws. Close loopholes ensuring protection against domestic violence, universal background checks, raise minimum age to 21, limits and reporting required on purchases, increased communications. Better enforcement when military personnel or law enforcement has warning to remove weapons. Gun training required on gun usage, storage and laws. Ban ghost guns, kits and other untraceable firearms. Ban open carry laws. Reinstate assault weapons ban. Exceptions for shooting ranges and grandfathered individuals who register weapons, submit to annual mental health exam, safe storage regulations and insurance. DC & Puerto Rico DC Statehood immediately. Existing elected leaders into temporary roles until new election. Puerto Rico statehood immediately with automatic complete independence within max of 10 years - unless Puerto Rico election votes otherwise. This provides time to plan and be ready for independence. Immediately exclude Puerto Rico and Hawaii from Jones Act or require competitive pricing on resident goods to stop crippling their economy and cost of living for residents. Legalize marijuana Legalize marijuana. Expunge criminal records which are exclusive to marijuana possession or distribution. Environment Support mass transit. Support Building Green. Rejoin Paris Agreement & reimplement environmental regulations. Invest in renewable energy & wireless power transfer. Promote energy diversification and partnership with increased transition to green energy. Stop subsidies and corporate welfare to oil industry. Require clean-up by corporate polluters and abandoned wells. International Commerce & Relationships Strategic tariffs controlled by Congress. Reinstate USAID Re-join WHO Support NATO & allies. Stop being a shameful, greedy bully. America must be a responsible global citizen caring about the most vulnerable, promoting democracy with accountability for taxpayer dollars. Support international trade and mutually beneficial relationships respecting sovereignty of other nations. Support Ukraine & strengthen sanctions on Russia. STOP what Holocaust scholars identify as genocide and war crimes in Gaza. Support Palestine independence and sovereignty. Join International Criminal Court Support investigation as to HOW October 7th occurred and prosecution of war crimes, without favoritism. AI & Tech Social Media & AI Accountability: Stop monopolies and regulate AI comparable with Intellectual Property. Host meetings with ethical IT leaders to develop legislation that promotes innovation while responsibly limiting the dangers of AI with accountability to those who use AI to harm American interests. Fairness Doctrine to prohibit False or Misleading Advertisements against poster and platform. Protect youth , require and enforce posting ratings. Accountable for data protection and usage, algorithm management or manipulation which causes harm and notification to law enforcement for threats of harm or broadcasted harm. Disclosure required of AI usage. Character likeness require advance approval & share in profits. Mitigate risks and potential abuses — Ruth Torres' campaign website (February 19, 2026) Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.\n\n\nRuth Torres completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Torres' responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. Ruth is a strategic and hands-on problem solver, turning chaos into order while championing worker rights for over 25 years as an HR Leader, entrepreneur, business professor, lecturer, author and Executive Director for a non-profit organization for at-risk youth. In 2016, Ruth was a whistleblower against government corruption and inspired her to run for office to bring government reform. The events of January 6th & the recent failure to impeach Ken Paxton has made Ruth more determined to fight for a government that works for the people instead of against US. 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? In 2024, Democracy is on the ballot. For the sake of our children, grandchildren and those who lost their lives to give us a democracy, we must put love of COUNTRY above party and bias and bring REFORM to every area of government to stop laws for sale and conflicts of interest. Fund & protect public education, not dismantle it to profit the few while robbing our children of their education. BALANCE & RESPECT is needed to work together to bring real solutions to the issues Americans face daily to care for our families. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? I am passionate about protecting our democracy, for government working for the people as intended by our constitution. I refuse to accept 1% getting richer while making everyone else poorer and buying seats for Judas officials selling us out for their profit and our harm. I am passionate about justice, equity and fair representation for everyone. I am most concerned for the most vulnerable in our society, children, the elderly, disabled and special needs and women. Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why? Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. , Henrietta Wood, Juanita Craft, Rosa Parks- so many that were just normal people trying to live when circumstances required they fight for their rights- to do the extra-ordinary against all odds even when many of their own told them to sit down and be quiet and be happy with what they had, not to \"make trouble\". Leaders shook off the constraints of decades, centuries of conditioning to do what needed to be done. Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy? Books: The Bible, The Price of Inequality by Joseph E. Stiglitz Film: The Matrix What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? Every elected officials should demonstrate ethics, integrity and commitment to serve the people. What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder? I am ethical and will speak truth even when unpopular. I am resilient, adaptable, down to earth and very relatable. I enjoy understanding people and respect their perspectives, even if I disagree with their position. I will listen and explain to try to show other perspectives, to get them to walk a mile in the shoes of others. What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? To serve the people and interests of the United States with competency, uncompromising ethics, integrity and diligence to enforce the purpose, rights and commitment of our constitution. What legacy would you like to leave? To lead, to walk in faith and fight for change that is needed no matter how impossible the circumstances. What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time? Being in fostercare, about 5 years old What was your very first job? How long did you have it? My first job, I was 13 and sold newspaper subscriptions. What is your favorite book? Why? The Bible, it is a life instruction manual and love letter. If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be? A phoenix What was the last song that got stuck in your head? Stand Up by Cynthia Erivo & Believe For It by Cece Winans What is something that has been a struggle in your life? Nothing has been easy in my life. I wouldn't know what to do with a life free from struggle. What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution? The ability to make laws that affects America, the world and impact generations. Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics? I think it's beneficial for representatives to understand how government works. While either having experience or mentorship to some degree may be beneficial, it could also be harmful by maintaining the status quo. Having the ability to work with diverse groups, to unite for common cause with new energy and perspective with commitment to serve people should be far more beneficial to bringing solution based legislation than prior political experience. What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade? Reform of government to protect our democracy and prevent dictatorship / fascism. Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives? No, it takes 2 years for a new hire to learn the organization, culture, processes and really begin to be effective. I believe at least 3 years is appropriate, with maximum 12 year term limit. Each election cycle should elect 1/3rd of the house and senate. What are your thoughts on term limits? We NEED term limits. I think we should stagger these elections to replace a 3rd of the congressional seats every 2 year election cycle while extending the time to 3 or 4 years per election and a maximum lifetime of 12 years in the house and 12 in the senate. Equally important is to STOP allowing seats to be bought by big business and 1% for laws for sake that make them richer and the rest of America poorer and less empowered. 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? There was a woman who had a life threatening illness that needed regular treatment. She did not have transportation and relied upon medical transport. During Covid, many of the normal facilities were closed. The only place open to give her the treatment was 5 miles beyond the distance allowed by the medical transport policies. She couldn't get the treatment and died in the arms of her husband, because of a policy technicality. There was a woman blind from birth who's social security benefits were suddenly stopped because she got a promotion at work and due to the timing of her promotion, she received too much in one month to the policy and SSA was failing to recognize the higher level of income threshold allowed for blindness versus non-blind disability. The SSA offices were closed and she couldn't get through the phone lines. She ended up homeless because of a policy issue and no way to get immediate relief. Tell us your favorite joke. A shepherd was herding his flock in a remote pasture when suddenly a brand-new sportscar advanced out of the dust cloud towards him. The driver, a young man in an expensive suit leaned out the window and asked the shepherd... \"If I tell you exactly how many sheep you have in your flock, will you give me one?\" The shepherd looked at the man looked at his peacefully grazing flock and calmly answered \"sure\". He parked his car, whipped out his laptop and connected it to a cell phone, then he surfed to a page on the internet where he called up a GPS satellite navigation system, scanned the area, and then opened up a database and an Excel spreadsheet with complex formulas. Finally, he prints out a 130-page report on his miniaturized printer then turns to the shepherd and says, \"You have exactly 1586 sheep. \"That is correct; take one of the sheep.\" said the shepherd. He watches the young man select one of the animals and bundle it into his car. Then the shepherd says: \"If I can tell you exactly what your business is, will you give me back my animal?\", \"OK, why not.\" answered the young man. \"Clearly, you are a consultant.\" said the shepherd. \"That's correct.\" says the young man, \"but how did you guess that?\" \"No guessing required.\" answers the shepherd. \"You turned up here although nobody called you. You want to get paid for an answer I already knew, to a question I never asked, and you don't know crap about my business...... Now give me back my dog.\" Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking? Compromise is strongly preferred to accomplish reasonable solutions that protect the most vulnerable and benefit American interests, not just the 1%. The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected? Government Reform is a top priority which requires tax policy revision for businesses and 1% to pay their fair share of taxes. How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers? There should be no hypocrisy but hold all accountable without bias or favoritism. Investigations should legitimately be focused on abuse of power or criminal activities by elected or appointed government officials, not partisan weaponry. If the party in control would not investigate their own for the same alleged conduct, then House powers should not be used to attack opposing party.\nNote: 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."}, {"question": "Campaign website", "answer_html": "<p>Torres’s campaign website stated the following:\n</p>\n<div style=\"height:400px;overflow:scroll;border:1px solid gray;margin:20px;padding:10px;\">\n<table data-nosnippet=\"\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse; border: none;background-color: transparent; auto; ;\">\n<tbody><tr>\n<td style=\"border:none; color:#B2B7F2;font-size:35px;font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 10px 3px;\" valign=\"top\" width=\"20\">“\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; padding: 4px 10px;\" valign=\"top\">\n<p><b>GOVERNMENT REFORM</b><br/>\nTogether we can reform government to be FOR the people with term limits, voter rights and campaign reform that STOP the sale of laws.\n</p><p>Taxpayers should not suffer from corruption and conflicts of interest by those abusing their power in violation of their oath of office.\n</p><p>Every government agency should have greater fiscal and services accountability. \n</p><p>Anyone who wants these same things, regardless of the party you typically associate with, I hope you will love America more and VOTE for Truth in Congress.\n</p><p><b>WOMEN'S RIGHTS & EQUITY</b><br/>\nEvery person deserves the respect, fair treatment and representation promised by our constitution. \n</p><p>Women must be respected, equally represented and valued in government and the workplace. \n</p>\n<ul><li>Women must be in control of their own body.</li>\n<li>Forced to carry stillborn babies and denied cancer treatments is too extreme, lawsuits and charges abuses the court system.</li>\n<li>There is no real choice until we deal with the drivers of abortion: poverty, abuse, and exploitation.</li>\n<li>We must fix our broken foster care system and make sure all our children have lives worth living not merely surviving.</li></ul>\n<p><b>ECONOMY</b><br/>\nWe can control inflation by stopping Corporate Welfare, price-gouging, monopolies and special interests while supporting fair competition for small and medium businesses and farms.\n</p><p><b>GUN SAFETY</b><br/>\nWe MUST protect our kid’s right to life, limit gun industry protections and ensure only those mentally capable and eligible have access to weapons.\n</p><p><b>BORDER SECURITY & IMMIGRATION REFORM</b><br/>\nAll stakeholders must work together for real, balanced SOLUTIONS that protect our borders preventing criminal activity but is also humane, aligned with our values and realizes our investment in Dreamers.\n</p><p><b>We must have a secure border that does not allow disproportionate concentration or taxpayer burdens for benefits unavailable to US citizens.</b>\n</p><p>Sponsorship and workforce capability should dictate entry approval with immediate work permit in hand, sending workers to the areas where jobs and support systems are ready for them.\n</p><p>Countries need to be held financially accountable to deal with drivers of asylum seeker issues.\n</p><p><b>AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE</b><br/>\nHealthcare can be more affordable and accessible with consumers more in control than industry and government.\n</p>\n<ul><li>Consumers should control who is on their plan with no age or family restrictions.</li>\n<li>Businesses should have option to get out of health care management by giving workers designated funds to buy the benefit plans they want.</li>\n<li>Medicare / Medicaid patients need equal access and quality of care.</li></ul>\n<p><b>EDUCATION</b><br/>\nOur k-12 public education system needs:\n</p>\n<ul><li>support & fair compensation for teachers,</li>\n<li>differentiated instructional methods,</li>\n<li>limited testing to customize learning needs,</li>\n<li>increased fiscal and academic accountability.</li></ul>\n<p>Republicans have been in control underfunding public education and over testing in Texas for 3 decades. Therefore they own any failures of performance. \n</p><p>Vouchers privatize and dismantle our education system and robs our children of their future earning potential. (See FACTS here)\n</p><p>Vouchers are public taxpayer dollars for private businesses. \n</p><p>Vouchers are trillions in public land grabs and no bid contracts in every state with private businesses kicking money back to politicians selling our children’s futures. \n</p><p>Our kids are more than “Backpacks Full of Cash”.\n</p><p>Every high school graduate should have a diploma AND either a skilled trade certification or up to 60 college credits to increase higher education access and lower costs.<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-quotedisclaimer_5-0\"><a href=\"#cite_note-quotedisclaimer-5\">[5]</a></sup>\n</p>\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; color: #B2B7F2; font-size: 35px; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: right; padding: 10px 1px;\" valign=\"bottom\" width=\"20\">”\n</td></tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"cquotecite\" colspan=\"3\" style=\"border: none; padding-right: 4%\"><cite style=\"font-style: normal;font-size: smaller; float: right;\">—Ruth Torres’s campaign website (2024)<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-6\"><a href=\"#cite_note-6\">[6]</a></sup></cite>\n</td></tr></tbody></table>\n</div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"></div>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Ruth Torres completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Torres' responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-143323-2022-08-30\" id=\"heading-bio-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-143323-2022-08-30\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-143323-2022-08-30\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tRuth Torres is a Human Resources Consultant, small business owner and community advocate with over 25 years of experience as a change agent solving problems. \r\n<p>Ruth has two daughters with a police officer and raised 5 children, including 3 she took as her own when their mothers died. \r\n</p><p>Ruth has lived in Dallas 12 years. Ruth completed her Bachelor’s in Business Administration attending Mountain View College and Dallas Baptist University via 14 mile bicycle rides and her Master’s in International Management from FIU. Ruth has over 12 years of experience in workforce development. Ruth was a business professor for 7 years taking pride in investing in business and HR leaders. \r\n</p><p><br/>\r\nRuth is actively involved on education and social issues initiated after she responded to an alter call at OCBF in 1998 including serving at The Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center, Project Turn-Around Advisory Board, City of Dallas’ Board of Adjustment, DPD Community Board, NAACP Dallas Resolutions Chair, national and state delegate, Executive PTA Board Member for Booker T Washington HS of the Performing & Visual Arts (2021-22), and fighting against government corruption seeking to impact public policy since 2016 with cases pending. Ruth wrote proposed legislation and lobbied for sponsorship to stop street racing after 8 year old Olivia was killed in 2019, gaining bi-partisan support for HB2315, HB3212 & SB1766, which went into effect September of 2021 to protect lives across Texas. \r\n</p>\n</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-143323-2022-08-30\" id=\"heading-key-message-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-143323-2022-08-30\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease 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?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-143323-2022-08-30\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>A government that WORKS for the People, not personal profit, party or special interests.</li><li>Ethical, accountable policies for an economy that benefits average Americans and does not burden future generations.</li><li>Balanced public policy that respects individual rights while promoting safety, health and equity.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-143323-2022-08-30\" id=\"heading1-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-143323-2022-08-30\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-143323-2022-08-30\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\t1. Government reform to protect our democracy, require accountable, ethical representation for results that benefit all Americans, that stop quid pro quo corruption, marginalization, disinformation and destructive rhetoric.<br/><br/>\n<p>2. Economic prosperity that promotes equity and regrows a middle class. <br/><br/>\r\n3. Gun safety that protects lives while protecting 2nd amendment rights for law abiding citizens.<br/><br/>\n</p>\n4. Public policy that responsibly balances personal rights with public best interests, getting to root issues not just expensive band-aids. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-143323-2022-08-30\" id=\"heading2-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-143323-2022-08-30\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIs there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-143323-2022-08-30\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe Bible\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-143323-2022-08-30\" id=\"heading3-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-143323-2022-08-30\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-143323-2022-08-30\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tDemonstrate love by sacrificially SERVING people with ethics and integrity. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-143323-2022-08-30\" id=\"heading4-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-143323-2022-08-30\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading4-143323-2022-08-30\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\t1. Uphold the United States Constitution and oath of office to God and country. <br/><br/>\n<p>2. Listen to all stakeholders and constituents to develop and pursue public policy changes that are ethical, balanced and benefit all constituents in the district. <br/><br/>\n</p>\n3. Communicate with constituents to inform of major bills needing their support, explain the position and vote on bills, and provide performance report on what has been accomplished and how its effects constituents. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-143323-2022-08-30\" id=\"heading5-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-143323-2022-08-30\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIf you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading5-143323-2022-08-30\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tA Phoenix\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-143323-2022-08-30\" id=\"heading6-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-143323-2022-08-30\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was the last song that got stuck in your head?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading6-143323-2022-08-30\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tBelieve for It, Cece Winans\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-143323-2022-08-30\" id=\"heading7-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse7-143323-2022-08-30\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading7-143323-2022-08-30\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse7-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe US Congress has the honor and responsibility to SERVE and promote the best interests of all Americans of all parties, ages, ethnicities, gender. socio-economic status, etc. in a balanced and ethical manner. The Judicial Branch's role is restricted to applying laws written by Congress. The Executive Branch's role is responsible for administering and enforcing the laws that Congress passes. The power of the Legislative Branch is critical to maintain the balance of power while preventing abuse of power by anyone, passing legislation the other two branches of government must follow and holding all government bodies and individuals accountable to perform in service to country, in truth not rhetoric. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-143323-2022-08-30\" id=\"heading8-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse8-143323-2022-08-30\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading8-143323-2022-08-30\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse8-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tAs an HR Consultant, I have learned that hiring a person for a job should include but not be exclusive to the experience criteria. It is wise to consider a person's background, ethics, capabilities, interpersonal skills and other relevant criteria. Wise businesses today prefer to hire the right attitude and train correctly. I believe in a balance of tenured staff with historical and procedural knowledge and new staff that brings fresh energy and ideas. I also believe we need a lot more business people in government than life-long politicians that have long forgotten their obligations to the people. <br/><br/>\r\nI am a business woman with over 25 years leading strategic policies to solve problems, including being a change agent working with senior executives and the workforce. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-143323-2022-08-30\" id=\"heading9-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse9-143323-2022-08-30\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading9-143323-2022-08-30\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse9-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tCivil war or at least escalated devolution of our democracy. Our political system has become controlled by those who lack the concept of service to others or to country in reality, so in love with power and control they are willing to do anything to have and maintain it. The level of money, disinformation, and manipulation in politics has infiltrated every branch and level of our government deeply eroding trust. This threatens our democracy, culture, and existence as a world leader. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-143323-2022-08-30\" id=\"heading10-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse10-143323-2022-08-30\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIf you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading10-143323-2022-08-30\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse10-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\t1. Appropriations<br/>\n<p>2. Judiciary <br/>\r\n3.Education & Labor<br/>\n</p>\n4. Homeland Security\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-143323-2022-08-30\" id=\"heading11-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse11-143323-2022-08-30\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading11-143323-2022-08-30\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse11-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI believe four years would be a more appropriate term length to allow the focus on getting work done instead of running for re-election. The house could be divided to cycle 25% each year, all seats within 4 years.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-143323-2022-08-30\" id=\"heading12-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse12-143323-2022-08-30\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat are your thoughts on term limits?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading12-143323-2022-08-30\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse12-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tAll elected and appointed seats should have lifetime term limits of 12 years. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-143323-2022-08-30\" id=\"heading13-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse13-143323-2022-08-30\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tBoth 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?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading13-143323-2022-08-30\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse13-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThere are so many stories, so many people struggling and needing the government to work for them and it is not. <br/><br/>\n<p>There is a beautiful couple named Leonard & Cookie that have raised over 100 hundred foster children. They have shared the challenges they dealt with in Texas' broken foster care system, the public school system and treatment of children in need of special education resources. They have shared how many of their kids, despite their committed service, ended up in prison. Their stories motive me to try to make a difference. <br/><br/>\r\nThere are many individuals who have shared how they lost their small business during the Covid-19 pandemic. So many financially struggling, especially senior citizen struggling with economic impact of inflation and rising property taxes, afraid they will lose the little they have that is already literally falling apart. <br/><br/>\r\nThere are many stories of people who have severe medical issues and lack medical coverage, can't afford their medications, and have long waits of 6-8 months for appointments with specialists. There was a woman with a severe illness that needed regular treatments. Covid caused her normal location to shut down. She located another place to receive the treatment but Medicaid/Medicare transport had a limit (25 miles?) and the only place operating that would take her was outside the limit. She couldn't get transportation. She died in her husband's arms. <br/><br/>\r\nThere are people who have been disabled for a lifetime that social security suddenly shut them off and they have spent 1-2 years trying to get someone to pay attention and fix it.<br/><br/>\r\nThere are people who someone claimed their children for taxes and they have been waiting 3 years for their paper return to be processed. <br/><br/>\n</p>\nThere are people who have told me they can't work more than part-time because if they do, they will lose affordable housing. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-143323-2022-08-30\" id=\"heading14-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse14-143323-2022-08-30\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading14-143323-2022-08-30\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse14-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tCompromise is necessary and desirable in policy making when there are representatives that are committed to serving all Americans, not just those super wealthy that contribute to their campaigns, representatives that actually works as intended and designed, for the people's best interest not their own profit, party or special interests. <br/><br/>\r\nWhen there is a common goal to accomplish sound, accountable public policy, it requires including all stakeholders and perspectives. I believe I have great policy ideas that will bring dramatically positive results. I need people more knowledgeable than I to contribute and execute policies. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-143323-2022-08-30\" id=\"heading15-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse15-143323-2022-08-30\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tThe Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading15-143323-2022-08-30\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse15-143323-2022-08-30\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\t1. Have a balanced budget that reduces the deficit, rebuilds the middle class and narrows the wealth gap between the 1% and the 99%. Redesign the tax code. Close loopholes, tax shelters, and prevent use of shell corporations. 1% and big business, including private equity, hedge funds and investment firms needs to pay their fair share of taxes and mitigate price gouging.<br/><br/>\n<p>2. STOP giving out taxpayer burdened bailouts to industries and companies that price gouge & that participate in dark money in politics. STOP giving taxpayer burdened payouts that fail to address root issues. <br/><br/>\n</p>\n3. Reform social insurance systems, (Social Security, Foodstamps, Housing, Unemployment, etc.) to move employable people from learned dependency to independent contributing members of society. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> 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.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "Torres’s campaign website stated the following:\n“ GOVERNMENT REFORM Together we can reform government to be FOR the people with term limits, voter rights and campaign reform that STOP the sale of laws. Taxpayers should not suffer from corruption and conflicts of interest by those abusing their power in violation of their oath of office. Every government agency should have greater fiscal and services accountability. Anyone who wants these same things, regardless of the party you typically associate with, I hope you will love America more and VOTE for Truth in Congress. WOMEN'S RIGHTS & EQUITY Every person deserves the respect, fair treatment and representation promised by our constitution. Women must be respected, equally represented and valued in government and the workplace. Women must be in control of their own body. Forced to carry stillborn babies and denied cancer treatments is too extreme, lawsuits and charges abuses the court system. There is no real choice until we deal with the drivers of abortion: poverty, abuse, and exploitation. We must fix our broken foster care system and make sure all our children have lives worth living not merely surviving. ECONOMY We can control inflation by stopping Corporate Welfare, price-gouging, monopolies and special interests while supporting fair competition for small and medium businesses and farms. GUN SAFETY We MUST protect our kid’s right to life, limit gun industry protections and ensure only those mentally capable and eligible have access to weapons. BORDER SECURITY & IMMIGRATION REFORM All stakeholders must work together for real, balanced SOLUTIONS that protect our borders preventing criminal activity but is also humane, aligned with our values and realizes our investment in Dreamers. We must have a secure border that does not allow disproportionate concentration or taxpayer burdens for benefits unavailable to US citizens. Sponsorship and workforce capability should dictate entry approval with immediate work permit in hand, sending workers to the areas where jobs and support systems are ready for them. Countries need to be held financially accountable to deal with drivers of asylum seeker issues. AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE Healthcare can be more affordable and accessible with consumers more in control than industry and government. Consumers should control who is on their plan with no age or family restrictions. Businesses should have option to get out of health care management by giving workers designated funds to buy the benefit plans they want. Medicare / Medicaid patients need equal access and quality of care. EDUCATION Our k-12 public education system needs: support & fair compensation for teachers, differentiated instructional methods, limited testing to customize learning needs, increased fiscal and academic accountability. Republicans have been in control underfunding public education and over testing in Texas for 3 decades. Therefore they own any failures of performance. Vouchers privatize and dismantle our education system and robs our children of their future earning potential. (See FACTS here) Vouchers are public taxpayer dollars for private businesses. Vouchers are trillions in public land grabs and no bid contracts in every state with private businesses kicking money back to politicians selling our children’s futures. Our kids are more than “Backpacks Full of Cash”. Every high school graduate should have a diploma AND either a skilled trade certification or up to 60 college credits to increase higher education access and lower costs. [5] ” —Ruth Torres’s campaign website (2024) [6]\n\n\nRuth Torres completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Torres' responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. Ruth Torres is a Human Resources Consultant, small business owner and community advocate with over 25 years of experience as a change agent solving problems. Ruth has two daughters with a police officer and raised 5 children, including 3 she took as her own when their mothers died. Ruth has lived in Dallas 12 years. Ruth completed her Bachelor’s in Business Administration attending Mountain View College and Dallas Baptist University via 14 mile bicycle rides and her Master’s in International Management from FIU. Ruth has over 12 years of experience in workforce development. Ruth was a business professor for 7 years taking pride in investing in business and HR leaders. Ruth is actively involved on education and social issues initiated after she responded to an alter call at OCBF in 1998 including serving at The Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center, Project Turn-Around Advisory Board, City of Dallas’ Board of Adjustment, DPD Community Board, NAACP Dallas Resolutions Chair, national and state delegate, Executive PTA Board Member for Booker T Washington HS of the Performing & Visual Arts (2021-22), and fighting against government corruption seeking to impact public policy since 2016 with cases pending. Ruth wrote proposed legislation and lobbied for sponsorship to stop street racing after 8 year old Olivia was killed in 2019, gaining bi-partisan support for HB2315, HB3212 & SB1766, which went into effect September of 2021 to protect lives across Texas. 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? A government that WORKS for the People, not personal profit, party or special interests. Ethical, accountable policies for an economy that benefits average Americans and does not burden future generations. Balanced public policy that respects individual rights while promoting safety, health and equity. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? 1. Government reform to protect our democracy, require accountable, ethical representation for results that benefit all Americans, that stop quid pro quo corruption, marginalization, disinformation and destructive rhetoric. 2. Economic prosperity that promotes equity and regrows a middle class. 3. Gun safety that protects lives while protecting 2nd amendment rights for law abiding citizens. 4. Public policy that responsibly balances personal rights with public best interests, getting to root issues not just expensive band-aids. Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy? The Bible What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? Demonstrate love by sacrificially SERVING people with ethics and integrity. What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? 1. Uphold the United States Constitution and oath of office to God and country. 2. Listen to all stakeholders and constituents to develop and pursue public policy changes that are ethical, balanced and benefit all constituents in the district. 3. Communicate with constituents to inform of major bills needing their support, explain the position and vote on bills, and provide performance report on what has been accomplished and how its effects constituents. If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be? A Phoenix What was the last song that got stuck in your head? Believe for It, Cece Winans What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution? The US Congress has the honor and responsibility to SERVE and promote the best interests of all Americans of all parties, ages, ethnicities, gender. socio-economic status, etc. in a balanced and ethical manner. The Judicial Branch's role is restricted to applying laws written by Congress. The Executive Branch's role is responsible for administering and enforcing the laws that Congress passes. The power of the Legislative Branch is critical to maintain the balance of power while preventing abuse of power by anyone, passing legislation the other two branches of government must follow and holding all government bodies and individuals accountable to perform in service to country, in truth not rhetoric. Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics? As an HR Consultant, I have learned that hiring a person for a job should include but not be exclusive to the experience criteria. It is wise to consider a person's background, ethics, capabilities, interpersonal skills and other relevant criteria. Wise businesses today prefer to hire the right attitude and train correctly. I believe in a balance of tenured staff with historical and procedural knowledge and new staff that brings fresh energy and ideas. I also believe we need a lot more business people in government than life-long politicians that have long forgotten their obligations to the people. I am a business woman with over 25 years leading strategic policies to solve problems, including being a change agent working with senior executives and the workforce. What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade? Civil war or at least escalated devolution of our democracy. Our political system has become controlled by those who lack the concept of service to others or to country in reality, so in love with power and control they are willing to do anything to have and maintain it. The level of money, disinformation, and manipulation in politics has infiltrated every branch and level of our government deeply eroding trust. This threatens our democracy, culture, and existence as a world leader. If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of? 1. Appropriations 2. Judiciary 3.Education & Labor 4. Homeland Security Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives? I believe four years would be a more appropriate term length to allow the focus on getting work done instead of running for re-election. The house could be divided to cycle 25% each year, all seats within 4 years. What are your thoughts on term limits? All elected and appointed seats should have lifetime term limits of 12 years. 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? There are so many stories, so many people struggling and needing the government to work for them and it is not. There is a beautiful couple named Leonard & Cookie that have raised over 100 hundred foster children. They have shared the challenges they dealt with in Texas' broken foster care system, the public school system and treatment of children in need of special education resources. They have shared how many of their kids, despite their committed service, ended up in prison. Their stories motive me to try to make a difference. There are many individuals who have shared how they lost their small business during the Covid-19 pandemic. So many financially struggling, especially senior citizen struggling with economic impact of inflation and rising property taxes, afraid they will lose the little they have that is already literally falling apart. There are many stories of people who have severe medical issues and lack medical coverage, can't afford their medications, and have long waits of 6-8 months for appointments with specialists. There was a woman with a severe illness that needed regular treatments. Covid caused her normal location to shut down. She located another place to receive the treatment but Medicaid/Medicare transport had a limit (25 miles?) and the only place operating that would take her was outside the limit. She couldn't get transportation. She died in her husband's arms. There are people who have been disabled for a lifetime that social security suddenly shut them off and they have spent 1-2 years trying to get someone to pay attention and fix it. There are people who someone claimed their children for taxes and they have been waiting 3 years for their paper return to be processed. There are people who have told me they can't work more than part-time because if they do, they will lose affordable housing. Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking? Compromise is necessary and desirable in policy making when there are representatives that are committed to serving all Americans, not just those super wealthy that contribute to their campaigns, representatives that actually works as intended and designed, for the people's best interest not their own profit, party or special interests. When there is a common goal to accomplish sound, accountable public policy, it requires including all stakeholders and perspectives. I believe I have great policy ideas that will bring dramatically positive results. I need people more knowledgeable than I to contribute and execute policies. The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected? 1. Have a balanced budget that reduces the deficit, rebuilds the middle class and narrows the wealth gap between the 1% and the 99%. Redesign the tax code. Close loopholes, tax shelters, and prevent use of shell corporations. 1% and big business, including private equity, hedge funds and investment firms needs to pay their fair share of taxes and mitigate price gouging. 2. STOP giving out taxpayer burdened bailouts to industries and companies that price gouge & that participate in dark money in politics. STOP giving taxpayer burdened payouts that fail to address root issues. 3. Reform social insurance systems, (Social Security, Foodstamps, Housing, Unemployment, etc.) to move employable people from learned dependency to independent contributing members of society.\nNote: 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."}, {"question": "Campaign website", "answer_html": "<p>Torres' campaign website stated the following:\n</p>\n<div style=\"height:400px;overflow:scroll;border:1px solid gray;margin:20px;padding:10px;\">\n<table data-nosnippet=\"\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse; border: none;background-color: transparent; auto; ;\">\n<tbody><tr>\n<td style=\"border:none; color:#B2B7F2;font-size:35px;font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 10px 3px;\" valign=\"top\" width=\"20\">“\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; padding: 4px 10px;\" valign=\"top\">\n<p><b>ECONOMY</b>\n</p><p><b>Truth about our economy.</b>\n</p><p>We MUST stop the give away and go to work.\n</p><p>There is a difference between inflation and price gauging. Businesses give big money to buy the seats for politicians that give them laws, so they maximize profits at the heavy burden of American consumers. It’s political quid-pro-quo.\n</p><p>Ruth will work to:\n</p>\n<ul><li>Oil & gas companies to put existing facilities to work and keep prices down or lose the <b><u>$20 BILLION in annual subsidies</u></b>. Include all stakeholders to develop practical and balanced short and long-term plans to address our energy needs, dependency on oil, foreign and domestic, as well as hold them accountable for environmental impact (like over <b><u>6000 orphaned oil wells in Texas</u></b>).</li>\n<li>Stop companies from price gouging and monopolizing supply of goods for record high profits especially after receiving subsidies and <b><u>forgiven PPP loans</u></b>.</li>\n<li>Get every able-bodied person in the US, working. That means: reform to entitlement programs moving people from learned dependency to self-sufficiency, enabling felons access to work and reduce recidivism, immigration reform enabling work permits for critical shortage industries without entitlement program eligibility.</li>\n<li>Enable the sustainability of small and medium size businesses are the lifeblood of our economy. Our family-owned restaurants and arts industries need infusion of resources and priority government contracting.</li>\n<li>Change how and where we work. We need to turn vacant commercial buildings into hybrid business/ residential mixed use to address affordable housing shortages in urban areas.</li>\n<li>Expand and strengthen internet access so more people can work from home and get access to goods and services online, especially in food desserts and rural communities.</li>\n<li>Affordable housing and homelessness is a major issue. We must stop investors, especially foreign investors, directly and through reverse mortgages from driving up housing costs and turning single family home communities into short-term rentals. Banks and developers must be held accountable for violating federal law and abusing HUD monies to create centers of poverty while profiting billions. Home loans should consider improvement values to upgrade aging properties.</li></ul>\n<p><b>What is driving inflation?</b>\n</p><p>We are all feeling the squeeze, except the squeezer.\n</p><p>There is a saying in retail, “volume hides many sins”. Meaning when sales are high, the problems in your process and management are hidden because sales gets all the attention. When volume declines, all the systemic faults are revealed. Yes, there are legitimate factors driving inflation but they are also being exploited, otherwise <b><u>Wall Street wouldn’t be making record profits</u></b>. Covid-19 did disrupt the supply chain, so did huge government funding that opted for faster distribution instead of need based, border policies, the invasion of Ukraine, etc. However, these issues revealed and worsened systemic issues long existent. We need pubic policy that addresses <b><u>inflation profiteering</u></b>.\n</p><p>There is a dramatic level of power by big businesses <b><u>because we gave it to them</u></b>. Big business <b><u>funds the campaigns for political candidates that give them laws</u></b> that keep big business very profitable. It’s all very quid-pro-quo.\n</p><p>Labor shortages and social pressures are demanding big business pay a fair share of taxes and to raise the federal minimum wage. Inflation is big businesses push back on on these initiatives that challenge the status quo. It’s a threat and a lesson, another hi-jacking of the narrative so people “remember their place”, “be happy with what you have before that is less”.\n</p><p><i>We, the people, have to know our place and flex our power at voting booths and checkout.</i>\n</p><p><br/>\n<b>GUN SAFETY</b>\n</p><p><b><u>The level of deaths in the US due to weapons far exceeds every other country </u></b>because the gun industry buys the seats for politicians to give them laws for their profit. Our lives are sold for profit. ONLY law abiding, responsible, mentally stable citizens should own weapons. Our children need to go to school, worship, grocery shopping, living – without being afraid. <b>It’s time every elected official WORKS to protect US, not their own profit.</b>\n</p><p>WE MUST:\n</p>\n<ul><li>Require registration with background checks, training, mental health screening and insurance with annual recertification prior to anyone having access to guns or semi-automatic rifles.\n<ul><li>We need to regulate access to weapons more than we regulate sale of cigarettes and beer.</li></ul></li>\n<li>Did you know we sue everyone for everything EXCEPT gun manufacturers can only be sued if the gun does not function properly?\n<ul><li>We need to allow gun manufacturers and distributors to be held liable for deaths via the weapons they sell to people who have not complied with certification requirements. That means eliminating the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), signed into law in 2005, which gave almost complete legal immunity to the gun industry preventing manufacturers from civil lawsuits from “the criminal or lawful misuse” of firearms or ammunition.</li></ul></li>\n<li>Did you know we regulate toy guns and every good made or distributed in the US except real guns and bullets?\n<ul><li>We need a federally mandated safety standard, child-proofing and tracing requirement for firearms made or distributed in the United States, including by machines able to produce “ghost guns”.</li></ul></li></ul>\n<p><b>For those that say laws will do nothing because people kill not guns</b>, apply that same argument to cars and see how badly it fails. Cars don’t kill people but there are laws for manufacturers, sellers and drivers. Every state requires license passing tests and insurance based on the type of vehicle. There are criminal and civil penalties for violations. Should we eliminate all these laws, remove all stop signs & lights? Ridiculous and reckless- right? These same types of laws should apply to gun industry & ownership.\n</p><p>We can choose lives over profit protecting 2nd Amendment rights for law abiding citizens with a few basic laws to limit access to those who should not have guns. Will it be perfect and stop all gun crime- NO. But it can make a huge difference very quickly.\n</p><p><i>We can choose to protect our kids, so they go to school, the park, church and return safely. That’s being prolife.</i>\n</p><p>A good guy with a handgun is not fairly matched against a bad guy with an AR-15 and Texas’ open carry law has made the job of law enforcement more difficult. Texas Open Carry law put 38k guns back into the hands of people a judge had already determined they were a danger to themselves or others. <b><u>Law enforcement was against this law, yet it was passed anyway.</u></b> That’s not #lawandorder or #backtheblue, that’s #UnorganizedCrime.\n</p><p><br/>\n<b>AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE</b>\n</p><p><i>Government should set public policy with boundaries respecting individual ability to make their own health care management decisions.</i>\n</p><p>AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE\n</p><p>Everyone should have access to affordable, patient centered healthcare. People should manage their care, not the industry, government, employers or providers. Healthcare costs are out of control because the industry controls public policy through <b><u>campaign contributions to both parties.</u></b>\n</p><p>Ruth would seek to involve all stakeholders to develop a solution that puts people in control of their healthcare; not government, industry or employers. We can get all employers out of the business of selecting health plan providers, managing enrollment, determining who is covered or not, etc.\n</p><p>1. Employers take their total employer costs for medical care and distribute a flat amount to a health care account for their employees to use to shop on the marketplace. Businesses no longer select plans, manage enrollment, etc. The benefits professionals currently employed by companies shift to work for the marketplace management or plan providers.\n</p><p>2. People buy on the marketplace and can add whoever they want to their plan without having to explain relationship, without limitations on age requiring 26+ to get separate policy. Just like car insurance, add whoever you want. People can change plans when their provider fails to give patient centered care or another provider gives better care at a better price, just like auto insurance.\n</p><p>3. We have a shortage of providers, including specialists. Rural communities as well as high population areas are both suffering from this issue. Ruth would like to explore the possibilities of opening licensure for doctors to serve patients in other states via virtual visits. For patients who lack technical skills, we need to consider partnering with local clinics for shared service sites to assist patients with virtual doctor visits as well as completing any diagnostic testing needed.\n</p><p>4. All urgent care and emergency room providers must require all providers and vendors that serve patients in their facility to accept and be “in network” for the same insurance plans the facility accepts.\n</p><p><br/>\n<b>EDUCATION</b>\n</p><p><b>There is a difference between “choice” and INFORMED choice.</b>\n</p><p>What if you were offered three lovely plates of food to choose from. They all look and smell good. But you were NOT informed one plate contained an ingredient that would make you really sick?\n</p><p>It is manipulation to be told charter schools and voucher programs give choice without disclosing all the facts.\n</p><p><b><u>Our kids are more than Back Packs Full of Cash.</u></b>\n</p><p>Our education system needs a total redesign to be fiscally responsible, improve education outcomes to equip our children with the skills needed for their future in safe learning environments, giving parents informed choices responsive to preferences in a balanced, responsible manner.\n</p><p><b>Fiscal Management</b>. All school districts should be required to have an external, forensic audit every 3-5 years, and after a superintendent resigns or is replaced. All school districts should be required to issue annual report of how money was spent specific to district and school for all regular and Title 1 funds. A detailed plan must be included within all requests for bonds and each prior bond must provide a forensic audit on how bond dollars were spent prior to a new bond request placement on the ballot. Any board votes which would increase property taxes requires property owners to be directly informed of this vote in advance.\n</p><p><b>School boards need a greater level of accountability, transparency and prohibit conflicts of interest.</b>\n</p><p><b>School performance</b>. All publicly funded schools should be required to disclose to parents in advance of enrollment and obtain written confirmation of receipt of the disclosures detailing student performance and the distribution of funding for Regular, Title I, Bond, SPED, Covid or other funding sources including:\n</p>\n<ul><li>Academic performance rating (including applicable state test results) for the last consecutive 3 years</li>\n<li>Teacher / Student ratio</li>\n<li>Number of certified teachers by grade level, type of certification and tenure</li>\n<li>Dollar amount and percentage comparison of spending per student for direct instructional costs of regular funds and Title 1 funds, versus total costs inclusive of administration, facility, operations, etc.</li>\n<li>Available Special Education (SPED) programs and enrollment levels</li>\n<li>After school programs available (academic tutoring, athletics, fun clubs, etc.)</li>\n<li>Testing reform. Testing should be limited and purposeful for individualized corrective action or program alignment; not to profit test designers while stressing students and teachers.</li></ul>\n<p>We need to be education in a healthy, safe environment caring for the whole child, ensuring safety in our schools and promoting mental health. Our kids are exposed to much risk and adult issues too young.\n</p><p>Our kids have to solve problems that do not exist yet in industries they create. We must redesign our education system to develop the skills our kids need, problem solving, critical thinking. We have to rethink the environment and process ideal to deliver these skills while providing a fun and safe environment for learning, that is prepared for operational challenges.\n</p><p>Schools must be more flexible with offerings better leveraging existing resources and being responsive to parent needs. We need schools to open up and be available for:\n</p>\n<ul><li>Parents who need options outside of the traditional school hours, to augment home school or online based education with access to labs or school based instruction or resources.</li>\n<li>Allowing local non-profits to use facilities for athletic or after school tutoring, etc.</li>\n<li>In areas where young adults and adults have higher rates of non-completion of high school or unemployment, high schools need to open in evenings and Saturdays for GED and skilled workforce training.</li></ul>\n<p><i>Privatization is separate, unequal access to education.</i>\n</p><p>Poor education impacts all of us because there is a high correlation with unemployment and crime rates. Charter schools are dominant in high population poverty areas because they get regular and Title 1 funds, maximizing profit. Lack of access to quality education perpetuates oppression on communities already struggling with high crime rates.<b><u> See non-partisan reports from the Economic Policy Institute.</u></b> See <b><u>TASB report on charter schools. See impact on a specific district.</u></b>\n</p><p>Privatization of public education harms everyone because it has been allowed absent fiscal accountability and safeguards; its about profit not our kids best interest. Privatization worsens existing systemic issues robbing our children of their future earning potential, setting them up to low-wage jobs, cycles of poverty and incarceration rates, increasing crime rates and property taxes for everyone.\n</p><p>Instead of having one school district in your area, there are numerous “districts” each having to pay for buildings, administrative staff, overhead, etc. They get funded by the state and receive more money than traditional schools but a lot more money is going to administration than actual classroom instruction because each district gets it’s own superintendent, buildings, busing, etc. Charter schools can be owned and operated by people with ZERO background or degrees in education. Charter school boards are not elected officials, they don’t even have to be US owned or have board meetings locally so parents can participate. A foreign country, not friendly to the US, can own charter schools, get tax-payer money and grants to profit off our kids, know who are future scientists are, have access to data that is not in our best interest to disclose. Charter school teachers do not have to be certified. Charter schools can “cherry-pick” and only enroll preferred students and expel then much easier than traditional schools.\n</p><p>As privatization expands, charter schools are going to be issuing bonds that are going to end up the burden of tax payers. A burden that dominates property tax bills today. Those school buildings no longer belong to the community because they belong to the charter school, a private entity profiting from public dollars. The existing schools will shutter and close being eye sores and welcoming crime. When natural disasters strike, private property owned schools paid for by tax dollars may not be available for refuge.\n</p><p><b>Testing</b> companies are making billions annually and do NOTHING to change academic delivery or performance. Covid-19 gave another opportunity for <b><u>“learning loss” narrative to profit.</u></b> The excessive testing stressing teachers and students is driven not by the need to collect data to implement corrective action but to spend taxpayer money to make test maker companies profitable.\n</p><p>We need to reduce the number of tests and require a responsive action to get students extra resources or make placement decisions for skill development for every test.\n</p><p><i>My youngest child is a senior this year. She expressed frustration and test anxiety asking me what was the point of three different tests she was taking in a short time frame. She reflected that she’s been taking tests her entire 11 academic years and has never seen any action based on test outcomes, except the possibility of a low SAT score keeping her out of college.</i>\n</p><p><br/>\n<b>GOVERNMENT REFORM</b>\n</p><p>Ruth will be assertive about government reform for a more accountable government operating to the purpose of <b>for the people</b>, not abusing or exploiting that authority.\n</p><p><b>Executive Branch</b>\n</p><p>Legislation:\n</p>\n<ul><li>that better strengthens the separation of powers between our branches of government,</li>\n<li>the political independence of military and department of justice,</li>\n<li>establish eligibility requirements for political appointments,</li>\n<li>prohibits use of elected office for private gain by elected official or their family members,</li>\n<li>establishes minimum boundaries for criminal pardons which prohibits self-dealing or quid-pro-quo.</li></ul>\n<p><b>Legislative Branch</b>\n</p>\n<ul><li>Congressional representatives not being employed, as an employee or contractor, with any government vendor or supplier, including primes and subs, (federal, state or local) during and at least 1 year after serving.</li>\n<li>Congressional representatives nor their immediate family members trading in new stocks trades or make changes to existing investments during and up to 1 year after serving.</li>\n<li>term limits of 10 years or 5 terms.</li></ul>\n<p><b>Judicial Branch</b>\n</p>\n<ul><li>Legislation to require minimum standards for eligibility for office and state grounds for removal from case and from office, including SCOTUS due to failure to timely recuse or disqualification due to conflicts of interest, bias, legal, moral or ethical actions which undermine the legitimacy or reputation of the courts.</li>\n<li>Review body inclusive of a majority voting members of the public, not appointed by elected or appointed officials, on judicial complaints for all members of judiciary, state and federal including up to US Supreme Court.</li></ul>\n<p><b>Election Law</b>\n</p>\n<ul><li>Legislation that opens the ballot to be equitable to candidates not tied to a major party.</li>\n<li>Prohibiting “dark money” in politics. No corporations contributing through PACS. All donations must be publicly disclosed and comply with contribution maximums.</li></ul>\n<p><br/>\n<b>EQUITY, IMMIGRATION & ABORTION</b>\n</p><p><b>The case for Equity.</b>\n</p><p><b>When we tell our kids “Baby, you can be anything”, we need to make sure we are NOT lying.</b>\n</p><p>Is it possible we are facing a reckoning as our population demographics change after over 400 years of race-based socio-economic disparity plaguing our country from slavery being officially recognized in 1619? Let US hope so. “I can’t breathe” can’t be the anthem for another generation.\n</p><p><b>“We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” ― Martin Luther King Jr., <u>Why We Can’t Wait</u></b>\n</p><p>Let US work together to heal now for the mutual respect and benefit of every person instead of allowing fear to divide US. Let’s hope the 400 year marker of Covid in 2019 isn’t a series of plaques reminiscent of the Biblical process to free the abused and marginalized from an arrogant, racist and corrupt government. (<b><u>Exodus 8-12</u></b>) Let’s hope there are enough people that are applying Christian principles in truth, loving God by demonstrating love for people instead of using religion to judge, control, and disenfranchise others for their own profit. Let’s hope changing public policy and national culture NOW will leave memories in history books with our next generation completely unfamiliar with this burden, shame or retaliation for it.\n</p><p><i><b>Those who are the most afraid of the racial population shift should be the ones most interested in securing equity policies TODAY.</b></i>\n</p><p>We are stewards to manage and serve.\nStewardship is the open hand.\n</p><p>What if race-based socio-economic policies have been robbing all of us? What if we could actually all prosper together? <b><u>This report by a collaborate group of non-partisan, non-profit organizations finds eliminating racial inequities in income could boost the combined economy of Dallas and Collin counties by $115 billion a year</u></b>.\n</p><p><b>Political Footballs</b>\n</p><p><i><b>Immigration.</b></i>\n</p><p>Continually debated, perpetually unresolved,\npeople pay for a show producing no winners.\n</p>\n<ol><li>Weren’t Abraham, Issaac & Jacob immigrants?</li>\n<li>Weren’t Joseph, Mary & Baby Jesus Asylum Seekers?</li>\n<li>Doesn’t t<b><u>he Bible have dozens of scriptures on how to treat foreigners</u></b>?</li></ol>\n<p><b>Immigrants and asylum seekers should be REQUIRED to have sponsorship and gain work becoming self-sufficient within a maximum of 90 days and maintain that self-sufficiency to earn a path to citizenship. Taxpayers should not be burdened giving benefits to immigrants not available to US citizens. Anyone who participates or benefits from felony criminal activity should be deported and never allowed to re-enter. Countries receiving financial incentives or benefits from the US to control immigration, those amounts should be based on how adequately they address the root causes of their populations seeking refuge in the US.</b>\n</p><p>We need workers NOW for our economy. Immigrants want to work and do the jobs Americans will NOT. We need to deal with the current undocumented immigrants inside the US. A three-year work permits allows us to know what our actual talent shortage is, fill critical staffing shortages and engage all stakeholders for comprehensive reform. We need to identify the number of and skill set of workers we need and where. Evaluate each person’s skills for type of worker permit. Each state or major employer should be requesting workers so we don’t just leave people to figure it out but send them to where the jobs they are qualified to perform and available are.\n</p><p>We should be providing a pathway to citizenship for all Dreamers raised in the US and at least residency with work permits for those already in country that work or serve in military.\n</p><p>The immigration problem is decades old and so is the rhetoric. We must deal with what is driving immigration for SOLUTIONS instead of political theatre. We need comprehensive, balanced reform to meet our critical workforce needs for our economy, prevent criminal activity, and not have to conceal the inscription on our statute of liberty. We must develop a legal, humane, sustainable and accessible process absent corruption and exploitation that immigrants running for their lives can use instead of non-authorized entry points.\n</p><p>I remember when we celebrated a wall coming down and am DONE hearing about an ineffective, waste of money wall that solves NOTHING. Whatever wall was going to get built, whatever purpose it was capable of, Texas would have already done with GOP controlling for decades. Billions have been spent. How much taxpayer funds was kicked back into campaign funds is yet to be disclosed. The existing wall has done little to stop those going over, under and using a cheap cordless saw to get through.\n</p><p>We are country of immigrants, built by immigrants. ALL the land of the US was originally that of Native Americans. People come to the US in hope of the promise and invitation upon which our great nation was founded. No one gets to choose where they are born. Those who risk their lives to come here to be law-abiding, tax paying, contributing members of society can earn the privilege to stay here. We can take pride in who we are, our culture and heritage without demonizing or devaluing that of another.\n</p><p><i><b>Abortion.</b></i>\n</p><p><b>For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.</b>\n</p><p>Ruth disagrees with the extremes of both parties on this issue. Political rhetoric of both parties has failed to address root issues of WHY women have abortions with public policy respectful of women’s rights over their own body, recognizing that when there is abuse and poverty, there isn’t real choice.\n</p><p><b>Ruth SUPPORTS:</b>\n</p>\n<ul><li>Access to over-the-counter low cost birth control.</li>\n<li>Abortion providers required to utilize screening for trafficking, rape and coercion, providing resources.</li>\n<li>Mental health services after abortion.</li>\n<li>No tax-payer funded abortions UNLESS due to rape, incest, medically necessary or the fetus is not-viable.</li>\n<li>Ban on partial birth abortions.</li>\n<li>Minors require parental consent for abortions (unless there is child abuse or neglect).</li>\n<li>Maternity and child support effective day 1 of pregnancy with stronger child support enforcement and workplace protections.</li>\n<li>Prohibiting sale of aborted fetus by abortion providers.</li></ul>\n<p><b>Democrat</b> policies are full government endorsement with tax-payer funded, unlimited access to abortions, including for partial birth abortions and minors having abortions without parents approval or knowledge (<b><u>currently allowed with judicial bypass in 35 states</u></b>). Further, this policy fails to have protections for women having abortions due to abuse, trafficking, or coercion nor the medical/mental/emotional needs after an abortion to prevent another unwanted pregnancy.\n</p><p><b>Republican</b> policies are full government control with a complete bar to all abortions with criminal charges and public standing for civil suits, no respect for women’s rights to make decisions that affect their life, with no regard for rape, incest or if a baby is already dead or cannot survive outside of the womb, no regard for women being denied treatment for cancer and other diseases due to impact to pregnancy. Further, this policy fails to provide any access to health care, child support or maternity support during and after the pregnancy to support quality of life. A strict bar on all abortions exerts the bounds of authority and does nothing to address the root causes of why abortions occur. Although this has been a policy change decades in the making, it does not appear anyone has prepared for the immediate and significantly impactful reaction that will affect everyone, directly and indirectly.\n</p>\n<dl><dd><i>Who has measured the capacity of existing systems and planned sustainability of this public policy change? What will be the impact of potentially hundreds of thousands of additional children born, presumably to mothers already in poverty, with food insecurities and lack of access to affordable health care in a broken foster care system and over burdened entitlement and education system? Are we prepared for the women that will die either to suicide or attempts to self-abort?</i></dd></dl>\n<p><b>Ruth will aggressively work to promote solutions addressing the causes of WHY women seek abortions: lack of affordable birth control, poverty with unequal pay and lack of access to high wage fields for women, inability to maintain employment while pregnant, lack of child support enforcement, coercion to avoid child support, trafficking, exploitation and rape. Ruth is also committed to working on addressing deficiencies in the foster care systems to improve outcomes for children.</b><sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-quotedisclaimer_5-1\"><a href=\"#cite_note-quotedisclaimer-5\">[5]</a></sup>\n</p>\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; color: #B2B7F2; font-size: 35px; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: right; padding: 10px 1px;\" valign=\"bottom\" width=\"20\">”\n</td></tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"cquotecite\" colspan=\"3\" style=\"border: none; padding-right: 4%\"><cite style=\"font-style: normal;font-size: smaller; float: right;\">—Ruth Torres' campaign website (2022)<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-7\"><a href=\"#cite_note-7\">[7]</a></sup></cite>\n</td></tr></tbody></table>\n</div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"></div>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Ruth Torres completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Torres' responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-97374-2021-04-10\" id=\"heading-bio-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-97374-2021-04-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-97374-2021-04-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI am a multi-racial mom with a beautiful multi-racial family raising 5 kids, including 3 after their mom's died. I am a Human Resources Consultant of over 25 years, small business owner and former Business Professor who’s taught hundreds how to start and grow their business. I'm a strategic problem-solver bringing results for businesses, managing major changes including opening locations nationwide, supporting businesses of up to $2Billion in annual revenues and 20,000+ employees. I'm ED for a non-profit serving at-risk youth, Successful Careers and have over12 years experience in workforce development. See professional endorsements at LinkedIn.com and Professor Ratings.\r\nI originally came to Dallas in 1997, earned my bachelors degree in Business from Mountain View College & Dallas Baptist University and Masters in International HR Management from FIU. After 12 years in Dallas and experiences that revealed the clear lack of justice, equity and decades of neglect; I feel a duty to use my skills and experience to work for BOLD CHANGE for the equity our community deserves. I am committed to bringing equity and quality of life while protecting against gentrification.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-97374-2021-04-10\" id=\"heading-key-message-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-97374-2021-04-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease 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?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-97374-2021-04-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>We can't keep doing the same thing and expect different results. It's time for change.</li><li>I am the only D5 candidate with the business experience and ethics to bring the change our community deserves.</li><li>I acted as an unelected citizen leading changes in law with bi-partisan support to stop street racing making our streets safer.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-97374-2021-04-10\" id=\"heading1-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-97374-2021-04-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-97374-2021-04-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tAll policies needed to bring equity to my community. <br/><br/>\n<p>1. Economic Development & Workforce Development. We must BUILD entrepreneurship and attract business to D5 so we have the goods and services in our community to circulate wages and build our community instead of everyone else's. We must also build workforce skills to get people to work to reduce crime. <br/><br/>\r\n2. Public Safety- HB2315, HB3212 & SB1766 are in process to stop street racing because of my initiative and bi-partisan collaboration with TX state reps. I will work to make our community safe.<br/><br/>\n</p>\n3. Quality of Life. Having the goods and services we need with activities for families and seniors, affordable housing within mixes use, mixed income developments with access to mass/alternate transportation, repaired streets, sidewalks, reliable internet access and wrap-around services to correct concentration of poverty. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-97374-2021-04-10\" id=\"heading2-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-97374-2021-04-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-97374-2021-04-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tLocal government makes decisions that directly impact the communities we live in and set the trajectory based on those decisions and contracts issues for decades. It is local government that decides equity and quality of life for residents. It's local government that controls, or should control the culture of our police department and therefore how the community interacts with and is treated by law enforcement. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-97374-2021-04-10\" id=\"heading3-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-97374-2021-04-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-97374-2021-04-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tDr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other civil rights leaders, that dared to challenge the status quo against seemingly overwhelming odds, even when unpopular, even when those you are fighting for don't know it or appreciate it. <br/><br/>\r\nI am trying to follow the steps of these leaders because it needs to be done, for my kids, for all our kids and grandkids. The work of these leaders seems to have been almost frozen in time with only incremental movement since the 1960's. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-97374-2021-04-10\" id=\"heading4-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-97374-2021-04-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIs there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading4-97374-2021-04-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMr. Smith Goes to Washington, All the President's Men, Bulworth, The Contender, The Great Debaters, Selma\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-97374-2021-04-10\" id=\"heading5-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-97374-2021-04-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading5-97374-2021-04-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tServant Leadership with integrity and commitment to equity and justice understanding you are elected to serve your community for their profit, protection and best interest as a priority, not your own or that of any other party. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-97374-2021-04-10\" id=\"heading6-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-97374-2021-04-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading6-97374-2021-04-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tintegrity, commitment, work-ethic\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-97374-2021-04-10\" id=\"heading7-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse7-97374-2021-04-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading7-97374-2021-04-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse7-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tTo serve their community and city with integrity, sound fiscal management, listening to, communicating with and including residents before making decisions. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-97374-2021-04-10\" id=\"heading8-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse8-97374-2021-04-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat legacy would you like to leave?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading8-97374-2021-04-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse8-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tNEVER Give UP\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-97374-2021-04-10\" id=\"heading9-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse9-97374-2021-04-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading9-97374-2021-04-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse9-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe tearing down of the Berlin Wall. I was 16. I saw a group of strangers working together frantically using their bare hands to take apart a brick wall that had stood for almost 3 decades. It was clear they hated that wall. We need people working together to tear down walls in Dallas, walls stringer than brick: racism, greed and fear. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-97374-2021-04-10\" id=\"heading10-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse10-97374-2021-04-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was your very first job? How long did you have it?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading10-97374-2021-04-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse10-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMy first job was selling newspaper subscriptions. I was 13. It lasted one summer. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-97374-2021-04-10\" id=\"heading11-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse11-97374-2021-04-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is your favorite book? Why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading11-97374-2021-04-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse11-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe Bible, love letter, design and instruction manual \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-97374-2021-04-10\" id=\"heading12-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse12-97374-2021-04-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIf you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading12-97374-2021-04-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse12-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tBugs Bunny\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-97374-2021-04-10\" id=\"heading13-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse13-97374-2021-04-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was the last song that got stuck in your head?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading13-97374-2021-04-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse13-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tYou Say, Lauren Daigle\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-97374-2021-04-10\" id=\"heading14-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse14-97374-2021-04-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is something that has been a struggle in your life?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading14-97374-2021-04-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse14-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tOvercoming barriers of systemic racism and bias being not White enough, not Black enough, nor Latina enough.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-97374-2021-04-10\" id=\"heading15-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse15-97374-2021-04-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tAre there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading15-97374-2021-04-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse15-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tIt's important for people to understand city council representatives control the spending of $3.8 BILLION for all city services and issuing contracts that will impact the community, for good or bad, for decades or no work and nothing being done and the practical implications of this on our daily lives.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse16-97374-2021-04-10\" id=\"heading16-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse16-97374-2021-04-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse16-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading16-97374-2021-04-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse16-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tNo. I think it's far more important to have elected officials that are ethical and have strong leadership and business skills.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse17-97374-2021-04-10\" id=\"heading17-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse17-97374-2021-04-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse17-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading17-97374-2021-04-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse17-97374-2021-04-10\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tSkills: Leadership, problem solving, teamwork, communications, interpersonal skills with active listening, negotiating, time management. <br/><br/>\r\nExperience: Policy Development, Process Improvement, Change Management, Budget Management<br/></span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> 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.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "Torres' campaign website stated the following:\n“ ECONOMY Truth about our economy. We MUST stop the give away and go to work. There is a difference between inflation and price gauging. Businesses give big money to buy the seats for politicians that give them laws, so they maximize profits at the heavy burden of American consumers. It’s political quid-pro-quo. Ruth will work to: Oil & gas companies to put existing facilities to work and keep prices down or lose the $20 BILLION in annual subsidies . Include all stakeholders to develop practical and balanced short and long-term plans to address our energy needs, dependency on oil, foreign and domestic, as well as hold them accountable for environmental impact (like over 6000 orphaned oil wells in Texas ). Stop companies from price gouging and monopolizing supply of goods for record high profits especially after receiving subsidies and forgiven PPP loans . Get every able-bodied person in the US, working. That means: reform to entitlement programs moving people from learned dependency to self-sufficiency, enabling felons access to work and reduce recidivism, immigration reform enabling work permits for critical shortage industries without entitlement program eligibility. Enable the sustainability of small and medium size businesses are the lifeblood of our economy. Our family-owned restaurants and arts industries need infusion of resources and priority government contracting. Change how and where we work. We need to turn vacant commercial buildings into hybrid business/ residential mixed use to address affordable housing shortages in urban areas. Expand and strengthen internet access so more people can work from home and get access to goods and services online, especially in food desserts and rural communities. Affordable housing and homelessness is a major issue. We must stop investors, especially foreign investors, directly and through reverse mortgages from driving up housing costs and turning single family home communities into short-term rentals. Banks and developers must be held accountable for violating federal law and abusing HUD monies to create centers of poverty while profiting billions. Home loans should consider improvement values to upgrade aging properties. What is driving inflation? We are all feeling the squeeze, except the squeezer. There is a saying in retail, “volume hides many sins”. Meaning when sales are high, the problems in your process and management are hidden because sales gets all the attention. When volume declines, all the systemic faults are revealed. Yes, there are legitimate factors driving inflation but they are also being exploited, otherwise Wall Street wouldn’t be making record profits . Covid-19 did disrupt the supply chain, so did huge government funding that opted for faster distribution instead of need based, border policies, the invasion of Ukraine, etc. However, these issues revealed and worsened systemic issues long existent. We need pubic policy that addresses inflation profiteering . There is a dramatic level of power by big businesses because we gave it to them . Big business funds the campaigns for political candidates that give them laws that keep big business very profitable. It’s all very quid-pro-quo. Labor shortages and social pressures are demanding big business pay a fair share of taxes and to raise the federal minimum wage. Inflation is big businesses push back on on these initiatives that challenge the status quo. It’s a threat and a lesson, another hi-jacking of the narrative so people “remember their place”, “be happy with what you have before that is less”. We, the people, have to know our place and flex our power at voting booths and checkout. GUN SAFETY The level of deaths in the US due to weapons far exceeds every other country because the gun industry buys the seats for politicians to give them laws for their profit. Our lives are sold for profit. ONLY law abiding, responsible, mentally stable citizens should own weapons. Our children need to go to school, worship, grocery shopping, living – without being afraid. It’s time every elected official WORKS to protect US, not their own profit. WE MUST: Require registration with background checks, training, mental health screening and insurance with annual recertification prior to anyone having access to guns or semi-automatic rifles. We need to regulate access to weapons more than we regulate sale of cigarettes and beer. Did you know we sue everyone for everything EXCEPT gun manufacturers can only be sued if the gun does not function properly? We need to allow gun manufacturers and distributors to be held liable for deaths via the weapons they sell to people who have not complied with certification requirements. That means eliminating the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), signed into law in 2005, which gave almost complete legal immunity to the gun industry preventing manufacturers from civil lawsuits from “the criminal or lawful misuse” of firearms or ammunition. Did you know we regulate toy guns and every good made or distributed in the US except real guns and bullets? We need a federally mandated safety standard, child-proofing and tracing requirement for firearms made or distributed in the United States, including by machines able to produce “ghost guns”. For those that say laws will do nothing because people kill not guns , apply that same argument to cars and see how badly it fails. Cars don’t kill people but there are laws for manufacturers, sellers and drivers. Every state requires license passing tests and insurance based on the type of vehicle. There are criminal and civil penalties for violations. Should we eliminate all these laws, remove all stop signs & lights? Ridiculous and reckless- right? These same types of laws should apply to gun industry & ownership. We can choose lives over profit protecting 2nd Amendment rights for law abiding citizens with a few basic laws to limit access to those who should not have guns. Will it be perfect and stop all gun crime- NO. But it can make a huge difference very quickly. We can choose to protect our kids, so they go to school, the park, church and return safely. That’s being prolife. A good guy with a handgun is not fairly matched against a bad guy with an AR-15 and Texas’ open carry law has made the job of law enforcement more difficult. Texas Open Carry law put 38k guns back into the hands of people a judge had already determined they were a danger to themselves or others. Law enforcement was against this law, yet it was passed anyway. That’s not #lawandorder or #backtheblue, that’s #UnorganizedCrime. AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE Government should set public policy with boundaries respecting individual ability to make their own health care management decisions. AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE Everyone should have access to affordable, patient centered healthcare. People should manage their care, not the industry, government, employers or providers. Healthcare costs are out of control because the industry controls public policy through campaign contributions to both parties. Ruth would seek to involve all stakeholders to develop a solution that puts people in control of their healthcare; not government, industry or employers. We can get all employers out of the business of selecting health plan providers, managing enrollment, determining who is covered or not, etc. 1. Employers take their total employer costs for medical care and distribute a flat amount to a health care account for their employees to use to shop on the marketplace. Businesses no longer select plans, manage enrollment, etc. The benefits professionals currently employed by companies shift to work for the marketplace management or plan providers. 2. People buy on the marketplace and can add whoever they want to their plan without having to explain relationship, without limitations on age requiring 26+ to get separate policy. Just like car insurance, add whoever you want. People can change plans when their provider fails to give patient centered care or another provider gives better care at a better price, just like auto insurance. 3. We have a shortage of providers, including specialists. Rural communities as well as high population areas are both suffering from this issue. Ruth would like to explore the possibilities of opening licensure for doctors to serve patients in other states via virtual visits. For patients who lack technical skills, we need to consider partnering with local clinics for shared service sites to assist patients with virtual doctor visits as well as completing any diagnostic testing needed. 4. All urgent care and emergency room providers must require all providers and vendors that serve patients in their facility to accept and be “in network” for the same insurance plans the facility accepts. EDUCATION There is a difference between “choice” and INFORMED choice. What if you were offered three lovely plates of food to choose from. They all look and smell good. But you were NOT informed one plate contained an ingredient that would make you really sick? It is manipulation to be told charter schools and voucher programs give choice without disclosing all the facts. Our kids are more than Back Packs Full of Cash. Our education system needs a total redesign to be fiscally responsible, improve education outcomes to equip our children with the skills needed for their future in safe learning environments, giving parents informed choices responsive to preferences in a balanced, responsible manner. Fiscal Management . All school districts should be required to have an external, forensic audit every 3-5 years, and after a superintendent resigns or is replaced. All school districts should be required to issue annual report of how money was spent specific to district and school for all regular and Title 1 funds. A detailed plan must be included within all requests for bonds and each prior bond must provide a forensic audit on how bond dollars were spent prior to a new bond request placement on the ballot. Any board votes which would increase property taxes requires property owners to be directly informed of this vote in advance. School boards need a greater level of accountability, transparency and prohibit conflicts of interest. School performance . All publicly funded schools should be required to disclose to parents in advance of enrollment and obtain written confirmation of receipt of the disclosures detailing student performance and the distribution of funding for Regular, Title I, Bond, SPED, Covid or other funding sources including: Academic performance rating (including applicable state test results) for the last consecutive 3 years Teacher / Student ratio Number of certified teachers by grade level, type of certification and tenure Dollar amount and percentage comparison of spending per student for direct instructional costs of regular funds and Title 1 funds, versus total costs inclusive of administration, facility, operations, etc. Available Special Education (SPED) programs and enrollment levels After school programs available (academic tutoring, athletics, fun clubs, etc.) Testing reform. Testing should be limited and purposeful for individualized corrective action or program alignment; not to profit test designers while stressing students and teachers. We need to be education in a healthy, safe environment caring for the whole child, ensuring safety in our schools and promoting mental health. Our kids are exposed to much risk and adult issues too young. Our kids have to solve problems that do not exist yet in industries they create. We must redesign our education system to develop the skills our kids need, problem solving, critical thinking. We have to rethink the environment and process ideal to deliver these skills while providing a fun and safe environment for learning, that is prepared for operational challenges. Schools must be more flexible with offerings better leveraging existing resources and being responsive to parent needs. We need schools to open up and be available for: Parents who need options outside of the traditional school hours, to augment home school or online based education with access to labs or school based instruction or resources. Allowing local non-profits to use facilities for athletic or after school tutoring, etc. In areas where young adults and adults have higher rates of non-completion of high school or unemployment, high schools need to open in evenings and Saturdays for GED and skilled workforce training. Privatization is separate, unequal access to education. Poor education impacts all of us because there is a high correlation with unemployment and crime rates. Charter schools are dominant in high population poverty areas because they get regular and Title 1 funds, maximizing profit. Lack of access to quality education perpetuates oppression on communities already struggling with high crime rates. See non-partisan reports from the Economic Policy Institute. See TASB report on charter schools. See impact on a specific district. Privatization of public education harms everyone because it has been allowed absent fiscal accountability and safeguards; its about profit not our kids best interest. Privatization worsens existing systemic issues robbing our children of their future earning potential, setting them up to low-wage jobs, cycles of poverty and incarceration rates, increasing crime rates and property taxes for everyone. Instead of having one school district in your area, there are numerous “districts” each having to pay for buildings, administrative staff, overhead, etc. They get funded by the state and receive more money than traditional schools but a lot more money is going to administration than actual classroom instruction because each district gets it’s own superintendent, buildings, busing, etc. Charter schools can be owned and operated by people with ZERO background or degrees in education. Charter school boards are not elected officials, they don’t even have to be US owned or have board meetings locally so parents can participate. A foreign country, not friendly to the US, can own charter schools, get tax-payer money and grants to profit off our kids, know who are future scientists are, have access to data that is not in our best interest to disclose. Charter school teachers do not have to be certified. Charter schools can “cherry-pick” and only enroll preferred students and expel then much easier than traditional schools. As privatization expands, charter schools are going to be issuing bonds that are going to end up the burden of tax payers. A burden that dominates property tax bills today. Those school buildings no longer belong to the community because they belong to the charter school, a private entity profiting from public dollars. The existing schools will shutter and close being eye sores and welcoming crime. When natural disasters strike, private property owned schools paid for by tax dollars may not be available for refuge. Testing companies are making billions annually and do NOTHING to change academic delivery or performance. Covid-19 gave another opportunity for “learning loss” narrative to profit. The excessive testing stressing teachers and students is driven not by the need to collect data to implement corrective action but to spend taxpayer money to make test maker companies profitable. We need to reduce the number of tests and require a responsive action to get students extra resources or make placement decisions for skill development for every test. My youngest child is a senior this year. She expressed frustration and test anxiety asking me what was the point of three different tests she was taking in a short time frame. She reflected that she’s been taking tests her entire 11 academic years and has never seen any action based on test outcomes, except the possibility of a low SAT score keeping her out of college. GOVERNMENT REFORM Ruth will be assertive about government reform for a more accountable government operating to the purpose of for the people , not abusing or exploiting that authority. Executive Branch Legislation: that better strengthens the separation of powers between our branches of government, the political independence of military and department of justice, establish eligibility requirements for political appointments, prohibits use of elected office for private gain by elected official or their family members, establishes minimum boundaries for criminal pardons which prohibits self-dealing or quid-pro-quo. Legislative Branch Congressional representatives not being employed, as an employee or contractor, with any government vendor or supplier, including primes and subs, (federal, state or local) during and at least 1 year after serving. Congressional representatives nor their immediate family members trading in new stocks trades or make changes to existing investments during and up to 1 year after serving. term limits of 10 years or 5 terms. Judicial Branch Legislation to require minimum standards for eligibility for office and state grounds for removal from case and from office, including SCOTUS due to failure to timely recuse or disqualification due to conflicts of interest, bias, legal, moral or ethical actions which undermine the legitimacy or reputation of the courts. Review body inclusive of a majority voting members of the public, not appointed by elected or appointed officials, on judicial complaints for all members of judiciary, state and federal including up to US Supreme Court. Election Law Legislation that opens the ballot to be equitable to candidates not tied to a major party. Prohibiting “dark money” in politics. No corporations contributing through PACS. All donations must be publicly disclosed and comply with contribution maximums. EQUITY, IMMIGRATION & ABORTION The case for Equity. When we tell our kids “Baby, you can be anything”, we need to make sure we are NOT lying. Is it possible we are facing a reckoning as our population demographics change after over 400 years of race-based socio-economic disparity plaguing our country from slavery being officially recognized in 1619? Let US hope so. “I can’t breathe” can’t be the anthem for another generation. “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” ― Martin Luther King Jr., Why We Can’t Wait Let US work together to heal now for the mutual respect and benefit of every person instead of allowing fear to divide US. Let’s hope the 400 year marker of Covid in 2019 isn’t a series of plaques reminiscent of the Biblical process to free the abused and marginalized from an arrogant, racist and corrupt government. ( Exodus 8-12 ) Let’s hope there are enough people that are applying Christian principles in truth, loving God by demonstrating love for people instead of using religion to judge, control, and disenfranchise others for their own profit. Let’s hope changing public policy and national culture NOW will leave memories in history books with our next generation completely unfamiliar with this burden, shame or retaliation for it. Those who are the most afraid of the racial population shift should be the ones most interested in securing equity policies TODAY. We are stewards to manage and serve.\nStewardship is the open hand. What if race-based socio-economic policies have been robbing all of us? What if we could actually all prosper together? This report by a collaborate group of non-partisan, non-profit organizations finds eliminating racial inequities in income could boost the combined economy of Dallas and Collin counties by $115 billion a year . Political Footballs Immigration. Continually debated, perpetually unresolved,\npeople pay for a show producing no winners. Weren’t Abraham, Issaac & Jacob immigrants? Weren’t Joseph, Mary & Baby Jesus Asylum Seekers? Doesn’t t he Bible have dozens of scriptures on how to treat foreigners ? Immigrants and asylum seekers should be REQUIRED to have sponsorship and gain work becoming self-sufficient within a maximum of 90 days and maintain that self-sufficiency to earn a path to citizenship. Taxpayers should not be burdened giving benefits to immigrants not available to US citizens. Anyone who participates or benefits from felony criminal activity should be deported and never allowed to re-enter. Countries receiving financial incentives or benefits from the US to control immigration, those amounts should be based on how adequately they address the root causes of their populations seeking refuge in the US. We need workers NOW for our economy. Immigrants want to work and do the jobs Americans will NOT. We need to deal with the current undocumented immigrants inside the US. A three-year work permits allows us to know what our actual talent shortage is, fill critical staffing shortages and engage all stakeholders for comprehensive reform. We need to identify the number of and skill set of workers we need and where. Evaluate each person’s skills for type of worker permit. Each state or major employer should be requesting workers so we don’t just leave people to figure it out but send them to where the jobs they are qualified to perform and available are. We should be providing a pathway to citizenship for all Dreamers raised in the US and at least residency with work permits for those already in country that work or serve in military. The immigration problem is decades old and so is the rhetoric. We must deal with what is driving immigration for SOLUTIONS instead of political theatre. We need comprehensive, balanced reform to meet our critical workforce needs for our economy, prevent criminal activity, and not have to conceal the inscription on our statute of liberty. We must develop a legal, humane, sustainable and accessible process absent corruption and exploitation that immigrants running for their lives can use instead of non-authorized entry points. I remember when we celebrated a wall coming down and am DONE hearing about an ineffective, waste of money wall that solves NOTHING. Whatever wall was going to get built, whatever purpose it was capable of, Texas would have already done with GOP controlling for decades. Billions have been spent. How much taxpayer funds was kicked back into campaign funds is yet to be disclosed. The existing wall has done little to stop those going over, under and using a cheap cordless saw to get through. We are country of immigrants, built by immigrants. ALL the land of the US was originally that of Native Americans. People come to the US in hope of the promise and invitation upon which our great nation was founded. No one gets to choose where they are born. Those who risk their lives to come here to be law-abiding, tax paying, contributing members of society can earn the privilege to stay here. We can take pride in who we are, our culture and heritage without demonizing or devaluing that of another. Abortion. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Ruth disagrees with the extremes of both parties on this issue. Political rhetoric of both parties has failed to address root issues of WHY women have abortions with public policy respectful of women’s rights over their own body, recognizing that when there is abuse and poverty, there isn’t real choice. Ruth SUPPORTS: Access to over-the-counter low cost birth control. Abortion providers required to utilize screening for trafficking, rape and coercion, providing resources. Mental health services after abortion. No tax-payer funded abortions UNLESS due to rape, incest, medically necessary or the fetus is not-viable. Ban on partial birth abortions. Minors require parental consent for abortions (unless there is child abuse or neglect). Maternity and child support effective day 1 of pregnancy with stronger child support enforcement and workplace protections. Prohibiting sale of aborted fetus by abortion providers. Democrat policies are full government endorsement with tax-payer funded, unlimited access to abortions, including for partial birth abortions and minors having abortions without parents approval or knowledge ( currently allowed with judicial bypass in 35 states ). Further, this policy fails to have protections for women having abortions due to abuse, trafficking, or coercion nor the medical/mental/emotional needs after an abortion to prevent another unwanted pregnancy. Republican policies are full government control with a complete bar to all abortions with criminal charges and public standing for civil suits, no respect for women’s rights to make decisions that affect their life, with no regard for rape, incest or if a baby is already dead or cannot survive outside of the womb, no regard for women being denied treatment for cancer and other diseases due to impact to pregnancy. Further, this policy fails to provide any access to health care, child support or maternity support during and after the pregnancy to support quality of life. A strict bar on all abortions exerts the bounds of authority and does nothing to address the root causes of why abortions occur. Although this has been a policy change decades in the making, it does not appear anyone has prepared for the immediate and significantly impactful reaction that will affect everyone, directly and indirectly. Who has measured the capacity of existing systems and planned sustainability of this public policy change? What will be the impact of potentially hundreds of thousands of additional children born, presumably to mothers already in poverty, with food insecurities and lack of access to affordable health care in a broken foster care system and over burdened entitlement and education system? Are we prepared for the women that will die either to suicide or attempts to self-abort? Ruth will aggressively work to promote solutions addressing the causes of WHY women seek abortions: lack of affordable birth control, poverty with unequal pay and lack of access to high wage fields for women, inability to maintain employment while pregnant, lack of child support enforcement, coercion to avoid child support, trafficking, exploitation and rape. Ruth is also committed to working on addressing deficiencies in the foster care systems to improve outcomes for children. [5] ” —Ruth Torres' campaign website (2022) [7]\n\n\nRuth Torres completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Torres' responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. I am a multi-racial mom with a beautiful multi-racial family raising 5 kids, including 3 after their mom's died. I am a Human Resources Consultant of over 25 years, small business owner and former Business Professor who’s taught hundreds how to start and grow their business. I'm a strategic problem-solver bringing results for businesses, managing major changes including opening locations nationwide, supporting businesses of up to $2Billion in annual revenues and 20,000+ employees. I'm ED for a non-profit serving at-risk youth, Successful Careers and have over12 years experience in workforce development. See professional endorsements at LinkedIn.com and Professor Ratings.\r\nI originally came to Dallas in 1997, earned my bachelors degree in Business from Mountain View College & Dallas Baptist University and Masters in International HR Management from FIU. After 12 years in Dallas and experiences that revealed the clear lack of justice, equity and decades of neglect; I feel a duty to use my skills and experience to work for BOLD CHANGE for the equity our community deserves. I am committed to bringing equity and quality of life while protecting against gentrification. 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? We can't keep doing the same thing and expect different results. It's time for change. I am the only D5 candidate with the business experience and ethics to bring the change our community deserves. I acted as an unelected citizen leading changes in law with bi-partisan support to stop street racing making our streets safer. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? All policies needed to bring equity to my community. 1. Economic Development & Workforce Development. We must BUILD entrepreneurship and attract business to D5 so we have the goods and services in our community to circulate wages and build our community instead of everyone else's. We must also build workforce skills to get people to work to reduce crime. 2. Public Safety- HB2315, HB3212 & SB1766 are in process to stop street racing because of my initiative and bi-partisan collaboration with TX state reps. I will work to make our community safe. 3. Quality of Life. Having the goods and services we need with activities for families and seniors, affordable housing within mixes use, mixed income developments with access to mass/alternate transportation, repaired streets, sidewalks, reliable internet access and wrap-around services to correct concentration of poverty. What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system? Local government makes decisions that directly impact the communities we live in and set the trajectory based on those decisions and contracts issues for decades. It is local government that decides equity and quality of life for residents. It's local government that controls, or should control the culture of our police department and therefore how the community interacts with and is treated by law enforcement. Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why? Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other civil rights leaders, that dared to challenge the status quo against seemingly overwhelming odds, even when unpopular, even when those you are fighting for don't know it or appreciate it. I am trying to follow the steps of these leaders because it needs to be done, for my kids, for all our kids and grandkids. The work of these leaders seems to have been almost frozen in time with only incremental movement since the 1960's. Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy? Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, All the President's Men, Bulworth, The Contender, The Great Debaters, Selma What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? Servant Leadership with integrity and commitment to equity and justice understanding you are elected to serve your community for their profit, protection and best interest as a priority, not your own or that of any other party. What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder? integrity, commitment, work-ethic What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? To serve their community and city with integrity, sound fiscal management, listening to, communicating with and including residents before making decisions. What legacy would you like to leave? NEVER Give UP What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time? The tearing down of the Berlin Wall. I was 16. I saw a group of strangers working together frantically using their bare hands to take apart a brick wall that had stood for almost 3 decades. It was clear they hated that wall. We need people working together to tear down walls in Dallas, walls stringer than brick: racism, greed and fear. What was your very first job? How long did you have it? My first job was selling newspaper subscriptions. I was 13. It lasted one summer. What is your favorite book? Why? The Bible, love letter, design and instruction manual If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be? Bugs Bunny What was the last song that got stuck in your head? You Say, Lauren Daigle What is something that has been a struggle in your life? Overcoming barriers of systemic racism and bias being not White enough, not Black enough, nor Latina enough. Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of? It's important for people to understand city council representatives control the spending of $3.8 BILLION for all city services and issuing contracts that will impact the community, for good or bad, for decades or no work and nothing being done and the practical implications of this on our daily lives. Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics? No. I think it's far more important to have elected officials that are ethical and have strong leadership and business skills. What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess? Skills: Leadership, problem solving, teamwork, communications, interpersonal skills with active listening, negotiating, time management. Experience: Policy Development, Process Improvement, Change Management, Budget Management\nNote: 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."}, {"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\">\n<p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<p>Ruth Torres completed <a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Torres' responses. </p>\n<div class=\"survey-scrollbox\">\n<div class=\"survey-result\">\n<p class=\"survey-question\">What would be your top three priorities, if elected?</p>\n<p class=\"survey-response\">ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Investing in business & people, I will fight for:\n• Strategic economic development requiring businesses pay their fair share of taxes, contribute to infrastructure, add 50%+ local jobs at minimum of $30k annually while being environmentally responsible. Dallas must attract new AND support home grown businesses diversifying goods and services available in District 5. \n• Workforce Development to increase skilled trade, certifications and higher education. More people working will mean LESS CRIME & homelessness, MORE affordable housing and homeownership, CONTROLLING property taxes while increasing property values.\n• A dramatic increase to affordable housing in mixed-use developments which promote quality of life.\nQUALITY OF LIFE / CULTURE CHANGE: I’ll be a fierce advocate for equity, mutual respect & UNITY providing:\n• Balanced support for our Police Department equipped with resources to train, recruit, and retain officers to serve and protect all residents with improved response times and community relations. \n• Family friendly activities for youth to elders with improved streets, sidewalks and transportation for access.\n• Strategic and balanced solutions promoting a united, respectful culture for all Dallas residents. \nACCOUNTABLE LEADERSHIP: I have demonstrated commitment to ETHICS & community inclusion by:\n• Being an ethical, accountable leader SERVING for over 20 years because the rules apply MORE to people in authority not less. My walk and talk match because ETHICS MATTER.\n• We are BETTER TOGETHER. I will be accessible and engage with local organizations and residents PRIOR to making decisions and to gain suggestions on the united goal to transform Dallas.</p>\n</div>\n<div class=\"survey-result\">\n<p class=\"survey-question\">What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?</p>\n<p class=\"survey-response\">I am passionate about equity and accountability in all areas to stop cycles of poverty including but not limited to economic development, education, housing, employment, wages, criminal justice.</p>\n</div>\n<div class=\"survey-result\">\n<p class=\"survey-question\">Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?</p>\n<p class=\"survey-response\">Average people who do the right thing against overwhelming odds for impact improving the lives of others, who demonstrate character when no one is watching.</p>\n</div>\n<div class=\"survey-result\">\n<p class=\"survey-question\">Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?</p>\n<p class=\"survey-response\">The Holy Bible</p>\n</div>\n<div class=\"survey-result\">\n<p class=\"survey-question\">What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?</p>\n<p class=\"survey-response\">Ethics, Accountability in SERVING others, engaging with & respecting people's concerns and contributions, admitting when wrong & taking corrective action.</p>\n</div>\n<div class=\"survey-result\">\n<p class=\"survey-question\">What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?</p>\n<p class=\"survey-response\">Servant oriented, ethical, accountable, capable, committed.</p>\n</div>\n<div class=\"survey-result\">\n<p class=\"survey-question\">What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?</p>\n<p class=\"survey-response\">Represent the best interests of the entire community with responsible & balanced approach.</p>\n</div>\n<div class=\"survey-result\">\n<p class=\"survey-question\">What legacy would you like to leave?</p>\n<p class=\"survey-response\">IMPACT improving quality of life for district & city via improved safety and community relationship with police, increased skilled trade high-wage jobs, increased affordable housing, #NoMoreStatusQuo giving away millions & billions to developers perpetuating cycles of poverty, abuses to residents and homeowners.</p>\n</div>\n<div class=\"survey-result\">\n<p class=\"survey-question\">What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?</p>\n<p class=\"survey-response\">Being in the hospital several weeks, really sick, lots of needles and being alone, about 7 years old.</p>\n</div>\n<div class=\"survey-result\">\n<p class=\"survey-question\">What was your very first job? How long did you have it?</p>\n<p class=\"survey-response\">I was 13, worked selling newspaper subscriptions, almost 2 years until I got an hourly paying job at the grocery store.</p>\n</div>\n<div class=\"survey-result\">\n<p class=\"survey-question\">What happened on your most awkward date?</p>\n<p class=\"survey-response\">Left quickly.</p>\n</div>\n<div class=\"survey-result\">\n<p class=\"survey-question\">What is your favorite holiday? Why?</p>\n<p class=\"survey-response\">New Year's. Hope of new opportunities.</p>\n</div>\n<div class=\"survey-result\">\n<p class=\"survey-question\">What is your favorite book? Why?</p>\n<p class=\"survey-response\">Romans. Provides understanding as to identity, safety.</p>\n</div>\n<div class=\"survey-result\">\n<p class=\"survey-question\">If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?</p>\n<p class=\"survey-response\">Pheonix</p>\n</div>\n<div class=\"survey-result\">\n<p class=\"survey-question\">What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?</p>\n<p class=\"survey-response\">My kids</p>\n</div>\n<div class=\"survey-result\">\n<p class=\"survey-question\">What was the last song that got stuck in your head?</p>\n<p class=\"survey-response\">Fearless</p>\n</div>\n<div class=\"survey-result\">\n<p class=\"survey-question\">What is something that has been a struggle in your life?</p>\n<p class=\"survey-response\">Overcoming racist & socio-economic barriers.</p>\n</div>\n<div class=\"survey-result\">\n<p class=\"survey-question\">Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?</p>\n<p class=\"survey-response\">Ability to influence other governing bodies and community leaders.</p>\n</div>\n<div class=\"survey-result\">\n<p class=\"survey-question\">What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?</p>\n<p class=\"survey-response\">Understanding people, interpersonal skills, analytical business skills, uncompromising strength of character and willingness to keep people around them that will help keep them honest, even if those people don't like them.</p>\n</div>\n<div class=\"survey-result\">\n<p class=\"survey-question\">What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the local government?</p>\n<p class=\"survey-response\">City council makes important decisions immediately impacting local policy and programs, local residents.</p>\n</div>\n<div class=\"survey-result\">\n<p class=\"survey-question\">Do you believe that it’s beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?</p>\n<p class=\"survey-response\">It's important to have basic understanding of government operations & processes but maybe better to not have much govt experience and taint vision. Fresh blood, fresh ideas and energy will question WHY things are they way they are and at least TRY to change things when needed, not just accept it as \"that's the way it is\".</p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"small\">\n<p><i><b>Note:</b> 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.</i></p>\n</div>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nRuth Torres completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Torres' responses.\nWhat would be your top three priorities, if elected? ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Investing in business & people, I will fight for:\n• Strategic economic development requiring businesses pay their fair share of taxes, contribute to infrastructure, add 50%+ local jobs at minimum of $30k annually while being environmentally responsible. Dallas must attract new AND support home grown businesses diversifying goods and services available in District 5. \n• Workforce Development to increase skilled trade, certifications and higher education. More people working will mean LESS CRIME & homelessness, MORE affordable housing and homeownership, CONTROLLING property taxes while increasing property values.\n• A dramatic increase to affordable housing in mixed-use developments which promote quality of life.\nQUALITY OF LIFE / CULTURE CHANGE: I’ll be a fierce advocate for equity, mutual respect & UNITY providing:\n• Balanced support for our Police Department equipped with resources to train, recruit, and retain officers to serve and protect all residents with improved response times and community relations. \n• Family friendly activities for youth to elders with improved streets, sidewalks and transportation for access.\n• Strategic and balanced solutions promoting a united, respectful culture for all Dallas residents. \nACCOUNTABLE LEADERSHIP: I have demonstrated commitment to ETHICS & community inclusion by:\n• Being an ethical, accountable leader SERVING for over 20 years because the rules apply MORE to people in authority not less. My walk and talk match because ETHICS MATTER.\n• We are BETTER TOGETHER. I will be accessible and engage with local organizations and residents PRIOR to making decisions and to gain suggestions on the united goal to transform Dallas. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? I am passionate about equity and accountability in all areas to stop cycles of poverty including but not limited to economic development, education, housing, employment, wages, criminal justice. Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why? Average people who do the right thing against overwhelming odds for impact improving the lives of others, who demonstrate character when no one is watching. Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy? The Holy Bible What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? Ethics, Accountability in SERVING others, engaging with & respecting people's concerns and contributions, admitting when wrong & taking corrective action. What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder? Servant oriented, ethical, accountable, capable, committed. What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? Represent the best interests of the entire community with responsible & balanced approach. What legacy would you like to leave? IMPACT improving quality of life for district & city via improved safety and community relationship with police, increased skilled trade high-wage jobs, increased affordable housing, #NoMoreStatusQuo giving away millions & billions to developers perpetuating cycles of poverty, abuses to residents and homeowners. What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time? Being in the hospital several weeks, really sick, lots of needles and being alone, about 7 years old. What was your very first job? How long did you have it? I was 13, worked selling newspaper subscriptions, almost 2 years until I got an hourly paying job at the grocery store. What happened on your most awkward date? Left quickly. What is your favorite holiday? Why? New Year's. Hope of new opportunities. What is your favorite book? Why? Romans. Provides understanding as to identity, safety. If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be? Pheonix What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why? My kids What was the last song that got stuck in your head? Fearless What is something that has been a struggle in your life? Overcoming racist & socio-economic barriers. Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of? Ability to influence other governing bodies and community leaders. What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess? Understanding people, interpersonal skills, analytical business skills, uncompromising strength of character and willingness to keep people around them that will help keep them honest, even if those people don't like them. What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the local government? City council makes important decisions immediately impacting local policy and programs, local residents. Do you believe that it’s beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics? It's important to have basic understanding of government operations & processes but maybe better to not have much govt experience and taint vision. Fresh blood, fresh ideas and energy will question WHY things are they way they are and at least TRY to change things when needed, not just accept it as \"that's the way it is\".\nNote: 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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