I mentioned before that I recently had the pleasure of meeting Janette Sexton, who is running to unseat Robert Talton in HD144. I asked her to write a short introductory piece about herself for my audience, and I present it to you here now, reproduced beneath the fold. You can also consult this fact sheet (Word doc) that she's put together about herself, and if you like what you see, you can send her a donation to help her get up and running. She will be having her first fundraiser in July - I'll pass that info along when I have it.

I am a woman, a mother, and a grandmother. I consider myself an ordinary person who feels called to action during extraordinary times. My three main campaign issues are education, the environment, and affordable healthcare for all, but I also have strong convictions about campaign finance reform, insurance reform, a woman’s right to choose, an increase in the minimum wage, and equality for all Texas' citizens (proponent on all issues).

The bottom line is that my opponent is attempting to legislate his prejudices into law. He was a co-author of House Joint Resolution 6 (HJR 6), the Anti-Gay Texas Marriage Amendment, which would write unequal treatment for gay and lesbian Texans into our Texas Constitution by permanently banning marriage for gay and lesbian couples. It would deny thousands of Texas families access to health care, fair inheritance and survivor rights, and the ability to make medical decisions for loved ones, but I feel sure you are well aware of the details of this amendment.

On March 9, my opponent voted for House Bill 2, the abominable education bill that could have been the beginning of the unraveling of public education in Texas. Companion bill, House Bill 3, did little to mitigate the shortfall in funding for our children, their schools, and their teachers. The bill proposed raising taxes on those who could least afford an increase and protected the wealthy. We are fortunate that the education and school funding bills did not pass.

This was the year Republicans in Texas were supposed to have proved they could govern, but, instead, they failed miserably. We can do better, and we must do better. Our Democratic legislators in Austin need reinforcement. Each additional Democratic vote is crucial. I want to be on the front lines...voting to keep bad bills from passing and, hopefully, putting forth legislation that will benefit my constituents, as well as all citizens of Texas.

I am in this race to win, but it will be difficult to unseat an entrenched Republican incumbent. Talton is in a leadership position, and I believe he is a deacon in his church. If the Republican machine believes Talton is vulnerable--and he is-- it will pour millions into his race. I will need to raise a minimum of $100,000-150,000 to run a credible campaign.

I want to be the voice of the under-represented in my district and throughout Texas: the old, the infirm, the young, and the working poor. I want to be your voice!