Three Democrats vie for Texas House 30th seat, focus on affordability and immigration reform

After last year’s redistricting, the seat currently held by Jasmine Crockett now includes parts of Arlington and central and Southern Dallas County.

DALLAS — With the primaries in full swing, there are three Democrats gunning for the Texas House 30th District Congressional seat: Barbara Mallory Caraway, Dr. Frederick Haynes III, and Rodney LaBruce.

“There’s no question that I have the most legislative experience,” said Mallory Caraway.

“I’ve spent 40-plus years in public service right there where the problems were,” said Dr. Haynes.

“I’m not only the bullhorn, but I’m also the architect,” said LaBruce.

After last year’s redistricting, the seat currently held by Jasmine Crockett now includes parts of Arlington and central and Southern Dallas County.

Two issues on the candidates’ minds are affordability and poverty.

“The one thing that kind of sets me apart is my laser focus on ending poverty, not managing it,” said LaBruce. “We want to raise the level of income across the board so that people can afford health care no matter how much it costs. People can afford housing no matter how much it costs.”

Affordability is also on the mind of Friendship-West Senior Pastor, Dr. Haynes. 

“Residents of District 30 can’t afford to live in the district, can’t afford to live in the state, can’t afford to live in the country,” said Dr. Haynes. “Too many Americans do not have the ability to afford childcare… We have to make sure that wages go up and that we freeze the cost of living.”

“There is a difference between affordable and low income. District 30 has both,” said Mallory Caraway. She has previously served as State House Representative and Dallas City Councilmember.

“You have your state legislators who come up with the budget as well and working with local entities to make sure that we can address poverty, income inequality, health care, as well as education,” said Mallory Caraway.

There is also immigration and the controversy surrounding ICE enforcement.

“I’m calling not only for the abolition of ICE,” said Dr. Haynes. “I’m for a comprehensive immigration reform that allows for pathways to citizenship, but at the same time challenges the policies, the foreign policies of a nation that, in too many instances, because of greed and other agendas, has destabilized governments and then wondered why the citizens come here as refugees.”

LaBruce said, “We need to put either limitations, funding limitations on, uh, these agencies or get rid of them altogether, but we have to address the root causes because if we don’t address the root causes of these things, all that’s going to happen is there’s going to be a different agency pop up in a few years from now.”

“I’m just exhausted myself about what’s going on in our country, in this world,” said Mallory Caraway. “The infiltration of ICE into our communities, people are afraid to go out…We do need comprehensive immigration reform that gives an opportunity for a pathway to citizenship.”

With candidates vowing to fight for those issues, it is ultimately the voters who will have the last say.