Texas is at a tipping point – The Daily Texan

With one week left of early voting before the historically competitive Nov. 3 midterm election, Longhorns face an important decision. Issues on the ballot include free speech in higher education, immigration policy, job security and healthcare. Students must exercise their civic duty to shape the policies affecting their livelihoods. 

Students can vote early at the Texas Union or LBJ School of Public Affairs every day until Oct. 30, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Election Day.

The Editorial Board has conducted research — interviewing many of the candidates themselves — to help inform student decision-making. Here is what we found for Austin’s key races.

James Talarico bridges both parties

Talarico’s detailed stances on important issues and performance as a state house representative prove Talarico is the change Texas needs.

Higher education has seen increasing legislative overreach, with SB 37 redefining core curriculum and campus initiatives. Talarico’s proposed No Political Enemies Act aims to protect entities targeted by the government for exercising their freedom of speech. His work in blocking book-banning legislation and opposing a bill requiring the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms demonstrates his dedication to preserving free, fair thought in education.

While Ken Paxton is fighting those from outside the border, Talarico is working to help those within it. Promising to ban ICE agents from wearing masks or refusing identification addresses growing and unpunished violence amid a 308% increase in ICE arrests from January 2025 to July 2026 in Austin.

Talarico’s campaign prioritizes protecting all Texans — exactly what’s needed when our current politicians echo Islamophobia and anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. He promises to restore reproductive freedom by codifying Roe v. Wade and protecting access to contraception, defending LGBTQ+ individuals from government overreach and upholding the separation of church and state, even as a devout Christian himself.

Talarico appeals to both parties, making him the only candidate willing to protect every Texan.

Ken Paxton’s corruption threatens Texas

Paxton may tout his experience as attorney general, but his tenure is stained with plea deals and mistrials in multiple child sexual abuse cases, despite attacking local district attorneys for alleged leniency. He simply doesn’t practice what he preaches.

Paxton’s policy goals hinge on delivering President Trump’s agenda. Every issue mentioned on his website, whether it be his desire to “defeat the radical transgender movement … and woke indoctrination in our classrooms” or finish the border wall, puts Trump at the forefront. For a man so keen on prioritizing Texans, he’s displayed little independent thought beyond Washington.

Paxton’s “no compromise” anti-abortion mentality, which may affect nearly 30,000 women attending UT, and anti-DEI stance display a stubbornness that keeps Texas stagnant. Texans need a representative who can see beyond party lines and fight for legislation that protects us all.

While Paxton’s promises to dismantle pharmaceutical companies and cut taxes may be compelling, his campaign doesn’t offer the revolutionary policies that Talarico’s does. His prioritization of Texan values is overshadowed by the hateful rhetoric riddled throughout his policy stances. Even his pledge to protect 2nd Amendment rights is upstaged by Talarico’s, who promises to address underlying factors contributing to gun violence while maintaining gun rights.

The attorney general’s policies are clouded by his stronger desire for conservative dominance.

Gina Hinojosa is tailored for students 

Because the governor nominates UT’s Board of Regents, Hinojosa’s experience as president of the Austin Independent School District Board and familiarity with Texas educational policy is vital. Previously a civil rights lawyer, she’s serving her fifth term in the Texas House of Representatives. 

As a Texas representative, she authored HB 177, which would have raised public school teachers’ salaries by $15,000, increased one-on-one student support, minimized the special education funding gap and increased mental health funding. However, Gov. Greg Abbott would not pass the bill unless a public school voucher was passed, even though he passed a $1 billion private school voucher himself. Despite being shut down by Republican state leaders, Hinojosa continues to fight for Texas education, and her expertise makes her more qualified to represent students.

Hinojosa’s policy focuses on lowering the cost of living by ending corporate subsidies, freezing utility rates and banning price-gouging on groceries. Additionally, she supports halting data center development until tax breaks cease and nearby communities have more legislative protection. 

Her campaign also calls for shutting down the use of Flock cameras, characterizing them as unnecessary surveillance. These cameras have been used in Austin to read license plates to deport immigrants under the Trump administration. 

Most importantly, her campaign emphasizes rebuilding Texas’ education system that ranks in the bottom ten of public schools per-student funding. She hopes to cut unnecessary no-bid vendor contracts, an agreement between a government agency and a vendor without the usual competitive bidding or proposal process, to allocate the savings toward raising teachers’ pay. 

“People are saying we want change,” Hinojosa said to the Daily Texan. “(The) status quo is not working. Politics as usual is not working, and that creates opportunity in Texas for Democrats to win. But I think it’s about making sure that as a candidate, I’m connecting with people about what they want.”

Hinojosa provides a much-needed fresh perspective that prioritizes Texans, not party. 

Greg Abbott has been in power for too long 

For the past 11 years, Texas has suffered under Abbott’s leadership. As his term has progressed, Abbott has become increasingly aligned with the Trump administration. He has appointed every member of UT’s Board of Regents — giving him a disproportionate sway over higher education policy. 

The Board controls policy direction, University budget and campus presidents and chancellors, making it imperative that the person selecting them has students in mind — not politics. Abbott’s appointed Board of Regents has limited academic freedom and habitually politicized education. This past February, they passed a policy restricting “controversial topics” in classrooms, but its vagueness leaves room for administrative overreach.  

Abbott’s campaign promises include banning H-1B visa workers in public schools. Under Abbott, all UT system schools stopped accepting H-1B visa applications until May 2027. These visas allow for temporary residency in the U.S. for workers in specialized fields. This unnecessary rejection of foreign expertise limits our breadth as a university. By expanding this policy to all public schools, Texas’ education system will suffer from an even narrower perspective. Abbott also hopes to reduce property taxes by abolishing school property taxes for homeowners. However, these taxes are the primary source of public school funding. 

From overtly partisan redistricting to ending abortion access, Abbott’s more focused on pushing a political agenda than prioritizing what’s best for Texans.

Gov. Abbott declined an interview.

Montserrat Garibay has the experience to serve

For the first time in nearly a decade, Texas House District 49 will elect a new representative as incumbent Gina Hinojosa leaves her seat to run for governor. Amid mounting financial pressures and increasing state intervention in public education, the district’s next representative will face decisions affecting the future of Austin schools.

Garibay brings more than 20 years of experience in education and advocacy. A former Austin ISD bilingual teacher, she later served in the U.S. Department of Education under the Biden administration. Her career reflects an understanding of public education from both the classroom and the institutions shaping its policies. 

“I bring expertise at the city, state and national level,” Garibay said to the Texan. “I work with many people who (don’t) necessarily have my same values, but we agree to compromise to make sure that we have the best outcomes for our community.”

As AISD faces school closures and possible state takeover, Garibay has prioritized opposing the expansion of school vouchers and strengthening accountability for private schools receiving public funds. 

Preserving local control over public education is ultimately about ensuring decision-makers remain accountable to the communities they serve. Garibay’s experience across educational institutions provides an essential foundation for navigating these challenges.

Greg Casar will continue to fight for progress

After Texas’ mid-decade congressional redistricting, Casar shifted districts to continue serving the Austin area. As both a city council member and congressman, he has represented us since 2014. Casar’s efforts in the House display a willingness to further progressive legislative goals despite a Republican majority, and speak to his priority — tangibly improving the lives of his constituents.

Admittedly, Casar has seen little success with the bills he has sponsored in his four years as a representative. However, as it becomes increasingly likely that Democrats will gain a majority in the House, Casar deserves the opportunity to continue his work. He is fighting for bills that would improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of Texas students.

The 10-part New Affordability Agenda proposed by the Congressional Progressive Caucus, which Casar chairs, lays out concrete steps to lower the cost of living. Among its proposed changes, this legislative package taxes excess wartime oil profits to refund consumers, cracks down on overcharging by utility companies and bans “surveillance pricing,” the practice of using personal data and AI algorithms to dynamically raise prices on consumers.

His proposed Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act targets concerns about AI exceeding human cognitive performance and risks of human disempowerment. The act aims to regulate AI superintelligence and temporarily pause advanced AI development. If passed, it will address students’ fears concerning AI’s harm to their career prospects.

Casar is also a co-sponsor of the College for All Act, which would make community colleges free and eliminate tuition and fees at public universities for those who make less than $125,000 annually.

“Nobody should have to choose between making rent and paying for groceries to earn a degree — or worry about being punished for speaking up on campus,” Casar said in an email statement. “I’ll keep fighting for every Longhorn, from move-in day to graduation and beyond.”

Lauren Peña is ill-equipped to serve

Peña is the definitive underdog in this race and aims to portray herself as the kind of conservative that can win in Austin, but her weak policy makes her the wrong choice to represent us. Although her attempts to combat political polarization are admirable, Peña’s campaign neglects student concerns and fails to provide a concrete plan to improve the lives of her constituents.

Despite her claim that she represents groups historically ignored by Austin’s enduring Democratic majority, Peña fails to outline actionable solutions to any issue. The only concrete pieces of legislation Peña has outlined on her website, the SAFE NIGHTS Act and the Stopping Official Deference to Abusers Act, focus on niche issues relating to employees in adult entertainment venues and Congress’ sexual misconduct settlements. She is vocal about her own history as a survivor of organized crime and human trafficking. However, her plans to improve affordability, immigration enforcement, healthcare access and education range from vague to nonexistent, often interspersed with inflammatory partisanship.

Peña supports giving states the authority to fund universities and favors limiting higher education programs that do not result in high-paying jobs. She centers her campaign on parental rights, echoing rhetoric that has fueled restrictions and free speech violations at all educational levels in Texas.

Peña also advocates for welfare and housing reforms in an attempt to reduce what she describes as “government dependency,” supporting the Department of Government Efficiency’s efforts to cut spending at the expense of social programs that support low-income individuals.

While Peña may attempt to present herself as an unconventional outsider, her policy goals and rhetoric align with MAGA ideas about education, government spending and immigration, down to her AI-generated attacks on her opponent. With few political accomplishments and a platform that largely ignores students’ concerns, Peña clearly won’t serve us. 

Jon Rosenthal is rooted in experience and reality

The railroad commissioner’s oversight requires technical expertise, something that Rosenthal’s 20-plus years as a career oil field mechanical engineer provides. His four terms as a Texas House representative ensure his policies are grounded in feasibility within the constraints of his term.

Many students may not have paid attention to this race had it not been for Bo French’s tweets, but this controversy highlights each candidate’s priorities.

“The politics of hate has become exhausting for us,” Rosenthal said to the Texan. “I just wish the government would get quiet again. It does not need to be in the headlines. Just go do the work for the people.”

That is exactly what Rosenthal’s campaign demonstrates. With the recent removal of public comment from TRC public meetings, Rosenthal’s promise to implement a 24/7 TRC-managed hotline, which includes texting and case number tracking, reinstates transparency to the commission.

Directly opposing French’s anti-DEI initiatives, Rosenthal also wants to hire community liaisons for the TRC in every region, expanding access to Spanish and Vietnamese, the two most common languages in Texas after English.

Rosenthal’s hands-on expertise contrasts with French’s history as an investor.

Bo French is ‘obviously far worse than anyone imagined’

French may have the big-name endorsements and corporate connections, but his far-right priorities demonstrate stronger party incentive than beneficial policy. His push to “stop the Islamic invasion of Texas,” “end DEI’s stranglehold on Texas oil” and emphasis on “(supporting) life and the nuclear family” hold no relevance to what the position truly entails.

As a decades-long investor in the energy sector and owner of a family-owned oil business, the motive behind French’s candidacy is questionable at best. Additionally, his campaign is funded by elites, with billionaire oil tycoons Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks serving as major donors. His platform includes “(lowering) costs for (Texans’) home and at the pump,” but the implementation remains vague. If anything, French’s interests align closer with the wealthy donors who fund his campaign than with Texans.

And as UT students know personally, French’s hateful online rhetoric shows he isn’t willing to represent all Longhorns.

Nathan Johnson protects Texans from Trump

Nathan Johnson has represented Dallas County in the Texas Senate since 2019. Since he began serving in the state Senate, he has written over 400 bills and helped pass 134 of them regarding water, energy, education, healthcare and criminal justice. He has spoken out against the reduction of voting sites and passed insurance reform legislation that provided private health insurance to an estimated 350,000 previously uninsured Texans.

“There has been a very aggressive move toward limiting free speech, … so I’ll be taking a very close and hard look at recently implemented policies in Texas to make sure that we’re not improperly encroaching on academic freedom as enshrined in our Constitution,” Johnson said to the Texan. 

Johnson has extensive litigation and mediation experience. As attorney general, he would prioritize suing the federal government over constitutionally invalid border policies and practices, enforce laws that promote competition between businesses, root out corruption regardless of party and foster collaboration between local district attorneys to ensure adept prosecution of criminal matters.

Over 30,000 Texans were detained by ICE within the first seven months of Trump’s presidency. Johnson’s campaign prides itself on protecting Texans from programs the Trump administration attempts to implement.

Johnson’s candidacy represents a commitment to Texans’ true needs.

Mayes Middleton advocates for harmful policies

Mayes Middleton is a conservative MAGA supporter who self-identifies as a “steadfast ally of President Trump and a proven champion of the America First movement.”

Middleton served as a state representative from 2019 to 2023 before becoming a state senator representing the Galveston area. He is a graduate of UT Law School and the president of Middleton Oil Company. Throughout his time in politics, he has fought against DEI, critical race theory and transgender rights.

His campaign emphasizes enforcing anti-abortion laws, Trump’s border security policies, deportation orders and protecting oil and gas jobs — which, considering his position as the president of an oil company, seems like a conflict of interest.

After Texas’ abortion ban was enacted, maternal mortality rose 56% in the first year. Mothers who live in anti-abortion states are almost twice as likely to die during pregnancy, childbirth or soon after giving birth.

Mass deportations, which Middleton also supports, are economically detrimental. If 1.3 million undocumented immigrants are deported, GDP could drop by 1.2% and employment by 1.1% by 2028 — resulting in hundreds of billions of lost dollars and thousands of lost jobs. So far, around 980,000 deportations have occurred since Trump’s second presidency.

Ultimately, Middleton supports policies that harm Texans.

A third-party vote is a wasted vote

Don’t let Matthew McConaughey’s third-party stance fool you. 

Third-party candidates offer voters alternatives to the two major political parties in this midterm election. Among them is Arshia Papari, a UT student running as the Green Party candidate for Texas House District 49, whose candidacy reflects his growing dissatisfaction with political representation in the two-party system. 

Although third parties can support underrepresented political priorities, the U.S. electoral structure limits their ability to secure legislative seats through Duverger’s law. In competitive races, these candidates can affect results by attracting voters who might otherwise support a major-party candidate — one that has a real chance at winning.

The Editorial Board is composed of associate editors Caris Gray, Abigail Tuscano, Maria Vazquez, Belle Xu and editor-in-chief Tiffany Lam.