Orlando Lopez
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?
Increase funding to speed up efforts to eradicate the infestation, educate farmers on how to identify the pest, and provide resources for treating infected livestock. We’re already looking at potentially billions of dollars in costs if this turns into a full-scale outbreak. Let’s increase funding and use it proactively, to the degree we can, to avoid further negative impacts to our farming and beef industries. We know how to eradicate this parasite, but we cannot afford to rely on a single solution or wait for the problem to worsen. We should use every effective tool available, including the proven method of sterile-male releases, treatment, and controlling or restricting livestock movement.
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 will always place the needs of people over the needs of corporations. Priority should be given to the people we serve, not corporations that donate to campaigns. The tax incentives we have in place have contributed to the rapid growth of data centers, which will only exacerbate the strain on our resources, especially during periods of extreme weather. I say we roll these tax incentives back and make data centers commit to investing in our infrastructure before they can build. The money gained from eliminating sales tax breaks and some property tax abatements can be used to fund our public schools and other programs within our state. If you want evidence, look no further than the billions in sales-tax revenue the state is projected to lose out on because of these exemptions.
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?
Texas has a huge problem with leaking pipes and aging water infrastructure. It’s estimated that over 180 billion gallons of water are lost every year due to deteriorating infrastructure, water that could otherwise remain available for growing communities and agriculture. Texas should prioritize fixing this system in the 90th Legislature. And although an expensive option, we should explore investing in desalination facilities for cities that are closest to the Gulf.
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?
The most essential thing is to prioritize grid reliability for Texas consumers, instead of putting the interests of large businesses ahead of them, especially during times of extreme weather or emergencies. As a leader in renewable energy production, the state should be looking at more ways to incentivize consumers, not protecting fossil fuel use. Making the switch to renewable energy, along with investing in power storage or modernizing our grid, is a realistic way we can reduce consumer dependency on the grid and improve its reliability.
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?
We have seen an increase in strategic funding cuts for public schools and institutions of higher learning. My stance is simple: keep politics out of schools and encourage learning environments within them. Funding for research in healthcare facilities is essential. Previously eradicated diseases have returned, different strains of illnesses are constantly emerging, and new viruses continue to pose threats to our communities. Cutting funding for our research institutions amidst this changing environment is asking for trouble. I would support protecting federal research funding while pursuing state investments where necessary to maintain Texas’ research infrastructure.
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?
Skeptics have done so much damage by contributing to deteriorating trust in science and medical experts. Part of this can be attributed to the increased spread of misinformation through social media platforms. For one, we should look at ways to increase transparency around the spread of false and even questionable health information online, while also expanding public-health education and making reliable information more accessible. We should work on rebuilding trust in our communities, and that all starts with transparency.
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?
Representatives come from all sorts of backgrounds, meaning there are certain things we are not experts on, and other things we are more educated to speak on. However, we do not know everything, and we never will. I’ve always respected the work that scientists do because they use empirical data through observation, testing, and peer review. My decisions will be based on the best available evidence and the expertise of qualified professionals. At the same time, I recognize that scientific understanding can evolve as new evidence emerges. When public opinion and scientific opinions differ, I believe our responsibility is to listen to both, and ultimately make decisions based on the best available evidence and the public interest.