Education is freedom, and I’ll always stand up for both.

As a proud Catholic, a military veteran, and a Blue Dog Democrat, I believe every child—no matter their zip code, deserves a shot at a bright future. That begins with strong, well-funded public education. I will fight to ensure our schools are funded at the state level, not left to struggle based on local tax bases. Our students need modern classrooms and real-world opportunities, which is why I support grants that allow universities and trade schools to partner with at-risk schools and prepare students for high-paying careers.

I’ll work to expand hands-on, on-the-job training programs right here in our cities and towns, so young Texans can earn while they learn and stay close to home. And because no child can learn on an empty stomach, I’ll make sure we fully fund school lunch programs, because feeding our kids should never be up for debate.