Crystal Sedillo
DemocraticQ1 In June 2026, USDA confirmed New World screwworm in Texas livestock for the first time in decades; as of early July, dozens of infestations have been confirmed across South Texas (USDA APHIS , 2026). USDA estimates a full-scale outbreak comparable to past infestations could cost the regional economy billions of dollars (USDA APHIS). What policies, if any, would you support to respond to the current outbreak and improve Texas’s agricultural biosecurity (practices and safeguards that prevent pests and diseases from spreading through livestock populations), and what evidence or considerations would inform that approach?
I would support close coordination with USDA and Texas A&M AgriLife, targeted funding for surveillance and rapid treatment, and clear guidance to ranchers on quarantine, movement controls, and reporting requirements. I would also back investments in veterinary workforce capacity, cross‑border cooperation, and emergency response planning so we can contain this outbreak quickly and prevent future ones. My approach would be informed by USDA APHIS data, past eradication efforts, and input from local producers and veterinarians.
Q2 Texas is on track to become the nation’s leading data center market within the next three years (Bloom Energy, 2026). The state’s grid operator has more than doubled its 2030 forecast for data center power demand over the past year (ERCOT, 2025). Such growth brings economic opportunity while placing significant demands on water, land, and energy systems, raising questions about tax incentives, utility costs, and local community impacts. What policies, if any, would you support around water/energy allocation, tax incentives, or utility costs for data center development in Texas, and what evidence informs that position?
I would support policies that ensure responsible development, including clear standards for water and energy use, transparency around tax incentives, and utility‑rate structures that protect local consumers. I would also rely on ERCOT forecasts, environmental impact data, and input from local communities and industry experts to guide decisions, so growth does not outpace infrastructure or harm surrounding areas.
Q3 Texas faces flooding while simultaneously experiencing water scarcity driven by drought, groundwater depletion, and population growth (TWDB, 2024). Hundreds of Texas waterways are listed as impaired for bacteria, mercury, and other pollutants, threatening water quality for communities across the state (TCEQ, 2024). Agriculture is the largest consumer of the state’s groundwater, yet it is also well positioned to be a valuable partner in conservation efforts. What policies, if any, would you support to improve Texas’s water infrastructure, and what considerations would guide your approach to the state’s agricultural economy?
I would support investments in modernizing water systems, expanding conservation programs, and improving water‑quality protections for communities facing pollution. Because agriculture is central to Texas’s economy and the largest groundwater user, I would work with producers to promote efficient irrigation, soil‑health practices, and voluntary conservation incentives. My approach would be guided by TWDB data, TCEQ water‑quality assessments, and input from farmers, local officials, and water experts to ensure solutions are both sustainable and economically practical.
Q4 The Texas power grid continues to face strain from extreme heat and increasing demand, including from data centers. What policies, if any, would you support to improve grid reliability for Texas consumers and businesses?
I would support expanding transmission, increasing dispatchable generation, and strengthening demand‑response tools so consumers and businesses have more stability. My approach would rely on ERCOT data and input from communities and energy experts to ensure the grid keeps pace with growth.
Q5 Texas universities and hospitals receive approximately $1.9 billion annually in NIH funding across 118 research sites, supporting tens of thousands of jobs and driving medical and scientific innovation (FASEB, 2025). NIH grants reimburse institutions for both direct research costs and indirect costs, the facilities, administration, and support infrastructure that make research possible. A 15% indirect cost cap proposed by NIH in 2025, currently blocked by federal courts, would sharply reduce this reimbursement below the rates Texas institutions have negotiated, cutting an estimated $300 million in annual support that institutions would need to absorb or backfill (Kamerlin & Elias, 2025). What policies, if any, would you support at the state or federal level to protect the long-term stability of Texas’s research infrastructure, and why?
I would support policies that protect full reimbursement for both direct and indirect costs and strengthen state investments in research facilities. This approach is guided by evidence showing that reduced indirect funding would force institutions to absorb hundreds of millions in costs, threatening their ability to maintain labs, retain talent, and compete nationally. Protecting this funding ensures Texas remains a leader in medical and scientific innovation.
Q6 Texas kindergartners’ measles vaccination rate fell to 93.24% in the 2024-2025 school year, a decline from prior years amid a national resurgence (Texas Department of State Health Services, 2025). That year, Texas recorded 762 confirmed measles cases, including the deaths of two unvaccinated school-age children, in the state’s largest outbreak since 1992 (Texas DSHS, 2025). Measles can cause serious complications: roughly 1 in 5 unvaccinated people who contract it are hospitalized, and it can lead to pneumonia, brain swelling, or death (CDC). As a policymaker, how do you approach engaging with communities that have concerns about infectious disease outbreaks and vaccine safety, and what policies, if any, would you support related to these issues, and why?
I support strengthening disease surveillance, improving vaccination access, and partnering with trusted local leaders to address concerns directly. This approach is guided by evidence showing measles can cause severe complications and that community trust is essential for protecting children and preventing future outbreaks.
Q7 Scientific evidence is generated through the systematic testing and evaluation of ideas. It provides knowledge the helps us understand the world and predict the likely consequences of different choices, such policy making related to public health, energy, agriculture, and environmental regulation. What role, if any, should scientific evidence and expert input play in your policymaking process, and how would you evaluate competing or uncertain scientific claims when making policy decisions? What role, if any, should that process play when scientific consensus and public opinion diverge?
Scientific evidence should play a central role in policymaking because it helps us understand problems clearly and anticipate the consequences of different choices. I would rely on expert input, peer‑reviewed research, and data from agencies and universities, and evaluate competing or uncertain claims by looking at the strength of the evidence, the quality of the methods, and whether findings are consistent across multiple sources. When scientific consensus and public opinion diverge, I believe policymakers should communicate clearly, engage communities respectfully, and make decisions grounded in the best available evidence while working to build public trust and understanding.