Nov. 5 ballot: Texas House District 6 candidates Alders, Grace discuss priorities

Published 10:00 pm Monday, November 4, 2024

Every election, individuals step forward to run for office, aiming to represent their communities on a larger scale. In Tyler, two familiar locals are vying to represent District 6 in the Texas House of Representatives at the state capitol in Austin.

House District 6 encompasses 81% of Smith County, 100% of the cities of Arp, Emerald Bay, New Chapel Hill, Noonday, Tyler, and Whitehouse and a majority of Bullard and Troup.

Matt Schaefer, who held the District 6 seat for 12 years, announced he will not seek reelection. In the upcoming Nov. 5 General Election, Republican Daniel Alders and Democrat Cody Grace are on the ballot.

The Tyler Morning Telegraph’s voter guide provides information about the candidates’ backgrounds and qualifications. In interviews with the paper, Alders and Grace discussed each of their plans for the first 90 days in office, if elected.

How the House of Representatives works

Under the Texas Constitution, state government is divided into three branches: the executive, led by the governor; the judicial, which includes the Texas Supreme Court and state courts; and the legislative, comprising the House and Senate.

The Texas House of Representatives consists of 150 members, each serving two-year terms. The Legislature convenes in regular session every odd-numbered year for about five months to pass new laws and address statewide issues. Each House member represents around 113,000 people.

At the start of each regular session, members of the Texas House of Representatives elect a Speaker of the House, who presides over proceedings, maintains order, and rules on procedural matters. The Speaker also appoints committee chairs and members to study legislation. The House has 31 subject-focused committees and five procedural or administrative committees.

Legislators typically develop ideas for bills based on constituent concerns or committee studies. After researching potential changes to state law, the bill is drafted with assistance from the Texas Legislative Council. Once introduced, the bill is assigned to a committee for discussion and possible public hearings before moving to the full chamber for debate, amendments and voting. Both chambers must pass the bill through a series of readings before it becomes law.

Candidates

Alders said there is plenty to learn to gain a solid footing as a freshman in the Legislature, adding that understanding the ropes will be key. He outlined top goals to begin his legislative journey, if elected, including committee placements, relationship building and accountability.

In his first 90 days, electing a strong conservative Speaker of the House and passing a rules package that will allow members to focus on statewide priority issues and specific priorities of their individual districts would be a top priority.

His second priority would be to file legislation that will be important to both the district and the state while strengthening existing relationships and building new ones with current and incoming members of the 89th Legislature.

His third priority is to secure positions on committees that align with his interests and those of East Texas and gain solid insight into how the state budget and laws operate.

Alders hopes to be involved with committees focused on natural resources, he pointed out that the region has ample water resources, unlike many areas of the state, and that water management falls under the Natural Resources Committee.

Energy is another priority issue, especially as it continues to grow with over 1,000 people moving to Texas each day. He said it is important to have a robust energy infrastructure to support a strong economy.

He is also interested in the Appropriations Committee, as it offers an understanding of the state budget. Knowing where that money goes and how taxpayer dollars are spent is essential. The committee would provide a behind-the-scenes look at the process to pinpoint where improvements can be made.

“We’re going to be focused on not only priorities for our party, but priorities for the state,” Alders said. “Border security is the number one issue for Texans around the state and all of our communities are being impacted by an open border.”

In strengthening relationships within the legislature and fostering bipartisan efforts, Alders acknowledged that the current political climate can be troubling, particularly due to the divisiveness on social media.

Alders said it’s essential to unplug and engage in face-to-face conversations, as these interactions can reveal common backgrounds, family dynamics and shared experiences among people to humanize individuals and appreciate them for who they are.

“That’s how you get things done at the end of the day, is because you’ve built a relationship,” Alders said. “That’s something that I’ve done in this community for the last decade, and something I’m trying to do running for the office, to begin to develop those relationships and friendships with folks from around the rest of the state whether they’re in my party or not.”

The seat belongs to the people of House District 6, he said he would not achieve success in November alone and would not maintain his position without their support. Alders stressed the need for humility and staying connected to his community, aiming to balance his time between Austin and home.

He considers accessibility and open communication vital, emphasizing that every constituent deserves to have their voice heard, even if he personally disagrees with them on certain issues.

“Everyone brings their own story to the table,” Alders said. “Building those relationships, getting to know people, not just on the political issues, but in a personal way is a big step in the right direction.”

Grace said during the first 90 days of a legislative session, new members typically focus on acclimating to their roles.

During this period there will be a vote for the Speaker of the House, with the incumbent and several other candidates vying for the position. This vote will likely take several days. He said he’s looking for a Speaker who advocates for public education and collaborates with all parties. Once the speaker is elected, they will make committee assignments.

Grace has a strong interest in serving on the Public Education Committee to address specific issues related to public education funding. Advocating for Smith County schools and those in East Texas is a key priority for him.

Public education funding has emerged as a significant issue with heightened discussions surrounding Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) or school vouchers during the last session, Grace said.

He aims to ensure fair compensation for teachers and sufficient resources for schools. He highlighted the importance of investing in public education, as future generations will shape local communities and various sectors.

The budget will encompass essential areas like public education funding and healthcare, which constitute the majority of the budget. Both of these priorities are central to his legislative goals.

“There’s a lot of people that are trying to carve some of that money out for their own special interests,” Grace said.

The Public Education Committee, a Technology Committee or a Public Safety Committee placement interest him. Alongside budget responsibilities, establishing relationships with fellow members will be crucial, particularly given the number of freshmen legislators.

As a freshman member, advocating for anything can be challenging. He views the initial period as a learning experience, focusing on building relationships with both familiar faces and new acquaintances.

He aims to understand how the priorities of East Texas and Smith County align with those of other members and plans to amplify their voices until he can effectively advocate for his district.

Understanding their priorities and identifying common goals across different districts will be key to fostering collaboration. He aims to work with these legislators to craft bills that promote effective change and policies beneficial for both East Texas and the broader state.

The priorities of East Texas are largely in line with those across the state. He’s optimistic that by focusing on core initiatives and collaborating with other members, they can achieve victories for their constituents.

“I’m a bipartisan person. I think people see me as a Democratic candidate, and they automatically assume I’m a yes vote for democratic priorities. I’m not. I’m a Smith County person. I’m a Tyler person first, and I want to focus on our priorities in Austin,” Grace said.

To enhance communication in the district, he plans to continue his current efforts of engaging with local groups and organizations. He also mentioned the need for more consistent town halls, noting that previous representatives had not prioritized this.

Grace believes increased public engagement will not only educate constituents about state government — which often receives less attention than federal issues — but also encourage greater involvement in the legislative process.

His plans to enhance accessibility and transparency in government by focusing on building an educated staff dedicated to communication outreach. He plans to conduct more polling within the district to gauge community concerns and educate constituents about issues in the House.

Grace also emphasized the importance of public testimony, proposing to invite relevant stakeholders to Austin to share their stories during legislative forums to ensure community voices are heard and that constituents can make informed decisions regarding legislative matters.

Early voting continues through Nov. 1 in the General Election. Election Day is Nov. 5 when 38 polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. across the county.

Early voting continues through Nov. 1.

Locations

First Christian Church — Christian Life Center Room 5: 4202 S. Broadway Ave, Tyler

Heritage Building: 1900 Bellwood Road, Tyler

The Hub: 304 E. Ferguson Street, Tyler

Kinzie Community Center: 912 Mt. Sylvan St., Lindale

Noonday Community Center: 16662 CR 196, Tyler

Starrville Church of the Living God: 18396 Highway 271, Winona

Whitehouse Methodist Church: 405 W. Main Street, Whitehouse

Green Acres Baptist Church – Flint Campus: 1010 CR 137, Flint

Hours

Oct. 26: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Saturday)

Oct. 27: Noon to 6 p.m. (Sunday)

Oct. 28-Nov. 1: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Monday-Friday)

Election Day

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Residents can vote at any of the 38 polling locations available on Election Day. View all Election Day polling locations at this map: https://tinyurl.com/votinglocationsmapsmithcounty

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