Meet The Newly Elected House Democrats

Fighting for Equity, Education, and Opportunity: The new wave of Texas Democrats.

Dec 12, 2024

While we didn’t make the flips we expected in the November election, we still have a handful of new Democrats headed into the Texas House. These new Democrats will undoubtedly bring new energy, new perspectives, and new fighters for the rights and liberty of all Texans.

They each have dynamic backgrounds. From a county commissioner to an education activist, these newly elected Dems will bring a fresh wave of Democratic voices to the Texas House. Let’s meet them!

HD77 - Vince Perez

Vince Perez is no stranger to public service—or El Paso politics. The former County Commissioner for Precinct 3 recently claimed the Texas House District 77 seat, stepping into a role vacated by longtime Representative Lina Ortega. His rise to the Texas Legislature isn’t surprising; Perez has spent much of his career carving out a reputation as a reformer and detail-oriented policy guy.

Perez got his start in politics as Communications Director for a US Representative before becoming the youngest El Paso County Commissioners Court member in 2013. His tenure as commissioner was impactful. He dug into issues like court efficiency and criminal justice reform. Perez championed the “courtools model,” making El Paso County one of the first in the nation to give judges and the public better data on court costs and performance. He also led reforms to indigent defense practices, exposing inequities in how low-income defendants were represented and securing changes that have since become a model for other counties.

Beyond the courtroom, Perez made headlines for killing a proposed medical waste facility in El Paso’s Mission Valley—no small feat, given that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality had already greenlit the project. By exposing the company’s application inaccuracies, Perez managed to reverse the decision, marking the first time in TCEQ history that such a facility was denied.

Perez’s policy priorities for his new role in Austin reflect his experience and the challenges unique to border communities like El Paso. He’s a sharp critic of school vouchers and border security theater, calling out both as expensive distractions that hurt local taxpayers without solving systemic problems.

As Perez heads to Austin, his supporters will be watching to see if his meticulous, reform-minded approach can cut through the noise of a Republican-dominated Legislature. He has a record of getting things done at the county level, but the Texas House is a different beast altogether. Still, if there’s one thing Vince Perez has shown, he’s not afraid to fight uphill battles—and occasionally win them.

Make sure to follow Vince Perez on Facebook.

HD107 - Linda Garcia

Linda García didn’t plan on running for office, but her life has never followed a predictable script. The newly elected Representative for Texas House District 107, which covers parts of Dallas, Garland, and Mesquite, is bringing a much-needed dose of reality to the Legislature. García has built a career around demystifying complex systems for people locked out of them, whether in the stock market or public office.

Her path to politics started with a phone call from outgoing Rep. Victoria Neave Criado, who urged García to run for the seat. García hesitated initially, but the opportunity to represent her community on her own terms ultimately won. And when she says “her own terms,” she means it: García clarified that she wouldn’t water down her personality or shy away from her unapologetically bold approach. That authenticity carried her straight to Austin, unopposed.

García’s story reflects the resilience of her district. She became a mother at 14, navigated a turbulent upbringing, and built a career that spanned the TV and film industry before pivoting to financial education. Her book, Wealth Warrior: 8 Steps for Communities of Color to Conquer the Stock Market and her nonprofit, In Luz We Trust, have helped countless people overcome financial barriers. Now, she’s taking that same no-nonsense, results-driven ethos to the Legislature.

In a state where part-time lawmakers are paid just over $7,000 annually, García understands firsthand how inaccessible the system is for working-class Texans. She’s determined to tackle issues like equitable education funding, access to healthcare, and infrastructure improvements to create opportunities for people who’ve historically been left behind. For García, representing District 107 isn’t just about crafting policy; it’s about showing her constituents that their experiences and voices belong in Austin.

Make sure to follow Linda García on her Instagram.

HD109 - Aicha Davis

If there’s one thing Aicha Davis knows how to do, it’s fight for what’s right—and fight hard. Before becoming the newly elected Representative for Texas House District 109, Davis served on the State Board of Education (SBOE), advocating for inclusive and accurate education. Her efforts to bring equity into Texas classrooms made her a standout public servant long before she decided to run for the Legislature. As someone who admired her work on the SBOE, I couldn’t be more excited to see what she’ll do in her new role.

Davis made headlines during her time on the SBOE by championing initiatives like the statewide African American Studies course, which she pushed through in 2020 with unanimous support. That course has since grown in popularity, giving thousands of students a chance to learn about history that often gets overlooked in traditional curriculums. She also stood firm against bigotry and distortion in education, famously taking on euphemisms like “involuntary relocation” as a substitute for “slave trade” in history standards. Davis wasn’t afraid to call out attempts to rewrite history, and her determination to keep Texas schools honest and inclusive was as inspiring as necessary.

Check her out:

As she steps into the seat previously held by Rep. Carl Sherman, Davis is taking her fight for equity and progress to Austin. Her platform focuses on improving public education, addressing systemic inequities, and building opportunities for underserved communities. She’s repeatedly proven that she’s not afraid to challenge entrenched power and harmful narratives—qualities we desperately need in a Legislature that often prioritizes political posturing over real solutions.

Make sure to follow Aicha Davis on her Facebook.

HD115 - Cassandra Hernandez

Cassandra Hernandez is a force to be reckoned with, and the people of Texas House District 115 are lucky to have her as their newly elected Representative. A trial lawyer by trade and an advocate at heart, Hernandez has spent her career fighting for those who need it most. Whether it’s helping families navigate personal injury cases or standing up for immigrants’ rights. Now, she’s bringing that fire to Austin, where she promises to champion public education, gun safety, and economic opportunity.

Born in the Texas Panhandle, Hernandez grew up shaped by profound loss and unwavering support. Her father’s death due to gun violence left a lasting mark, fueling her passion for common-sense gun reforms. Her stepfather, who later adopted her, became her role model, showing how the law could be used to fight for justice and uplift the community. Watching him advocate for underserved and immigrant families inspired her to pursue law herself. Today, as a partner in their family firm, she continues that legacy, earning recognition as one of D Magazine’s Best Lawyers.

Hernandez has been in the trenches advocating for Medicaid expansion, lobbying for ethics reform, and fighting for survivors of gun violence. She’s also a fierce defender of public education, a commitment shaped by her own experiences growing up in Garland public schools, where dedicated teachers helped her graduate early and earn a scholarship to the University of Houston. She’s been outspoken about the failure of the Legislature to adequately fund schools, pay teachers, or address the deficit budgets plaguing districts like Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, which serves parts of her district.

Hernandez’s platform reflects the issues Texans care about most: safe schools, affordable healthcare, economic stability, and property tax relief. She’s not afraid to tackle tough challenges, whether addressing the fentanyl crisis or advocating for workers’ rights. While entering a Republican-dominated Legislature, she’s clear-eyed about the need for collaboration without compromising her values.

Cassandra Hernandez is the kind of Representative who shows up, listens, and delivers. With her in the Legislature, House District 115 has a strong, compassionate, and courageous voice in Austin.

Make sure to follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

HD139 - Charlene Ward Johnson

Charlene Ward Johnson is no stranger to serving her community. As the newly elected Representative for Texas House District 139, Johnson steps into the role previously held by her ex-husband, Jarvis Johnson, ready to carve out her own legacy. A proud mother of two and lifelong Democrat, Johnson brings a deep commitment to public service and a wealth of experience as an advocate for education, safer communities, and women’s rights.

Johnson’s journey to the Texas House is grounded in her history of leadership and resilience. In 2022, she was elected to the Houston Community College Board of Trustees, where she chaired the Academic and Student Affairs Committee, working to improve college success rates and expand workforce education opportunities.

Her priorities for Austin reflect her bold, progressive vision. She’s committed to protecting women’s rights, including access to healthcare and reproductive freedom, while leveraging Houston’s world-class medical institutions to serve all Texans.

Charlene Ward Johnson has already proven she’s not afraid to fight for her district, whether advocating for resources, crafting thoughtful policy, or standing firm against attacks on Democratic values.

Make sure to follow Charlene Ward Johnson on Facebook and Instagram.

HD146 - Lauren Ashley Simmons

Lauren Ashley Simmons is the fighter we need in Austin—a tireless advocate for working families, public education, and equity who refuses to back down. I endorsed Simmons in the primary against an incumbent who betrayed our values, and I couldn’t be prouder to stand with her as she reclaims District 146 for the people.

Simmons is a working mom and union organizer whose story is about resilience and commitment to justice. Born and raised in Houston’s Third Ward, Simmons grew up in a family of activists who instilled in her the values of service and advocacy.

But Simmons’ life hasn’t been without challenges. At 19, she became a mom and fought through those difficulties, learning firsthand how broken systems fail so many Texans. That fight shaped her into the relentless advocate she is today, standing up for low-income Black women, migrant workers, teachers, and other marginalized communities.

Her viral 2023 confrontation with Mike Morath, demanding accountability and refusing to let bureaucratic smugness off the hook, showed the nation that she’s not afraid to speak truth to power. (If you haven’t seen it, you need to. The video will have you cheering.)

Simmons’ platform is as bold as she is. She’s fighting for fully funded public schools, better wages, and universal access to healthcare. Her vision for District 146 is one where everyone has a seat at the table, and she’s committed to bringing the voices of her community directly to Austin. District 146 deserves leadership with integrity and fire. With Lauren Ashley Simmons in the Texas House, that’s precisely what they’ll get.

Make sure to follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

These new Representatives are not just filling the roles vacated by their predecessors; they are redefining what it means to lead in a time of political turbulence.

They represent the best of Texas: resilient, diverse, and unyielding in their pursuit of justice. In a Legislature that often seems more focused on division than solutions, these new voices remind us what can happen when passion meets purpose.

So, let’s cheer them on, hold them accountable, and join them in the fight. Together, we can build a Texas that works for everyone. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but with leaders like these, it feels a little more possible every day.

January 14: The 89th Legislative Session begins.
March 14: The last day Legislators can file bills.
June 2: The 89th Legislative Session ends.