Governor Greg Abbott has declared victory in his voucher fight, but Texas Democrats are gearing up to flip enough seats in November to stop the Governor’s top priority.
There are a little more than a dozen races to follow, and according to State Representative Gina Hinojosa, only three more Democratic seats are needed to block vouchers again.
“We need to elect about three more Democrats to the Texas House to defeat vouchers and defend our neighborhood public schools,” she said.
While the state has multiple Democratic strongholds, Harris County is poised to be a game-changer in flipping Texas to a Democratic government.
Among the critical races, House District 138 stands out as a prime target for a Democratic flip. Stephanie Morales, a dedicated attorney with deep Texas roots, is the Democrat challenging the incumbent, Lacey Hull.
Who is Stephanie Morales?
Morales grew up in the Rio Grande Valley, and was inspired by her mother, a Texas teacher, and pursued her education at Texas A&M University. She excelled as a member of the Corps of Cadets and the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band before earning her Juris Doctor at South Texas College of Law.
According to her campaign website, her career as an Assistant District Attorney in Harris County honed her courtroom skills and led to the founding of The Morales Law Firm, focusing on criminal and juvenile cases.
Her key priorities include supporting public schools by opposing vouchers, advocating for increased funding, and working to raise teacher salaries. She stands with working families, believing in access to good-paying jobs and fair labor practices. Morales emphasizes community service, having served as a 10-year volunteer with Rodeo Houston and a member of the Spring Branch ISD Financial Advisory Committee. Her campaign focuses on prioritizing children’s education, standing against political interference in schools, and continuing her lifelong dedication to improving her community.
“Our State Representative should be involved in our community, she should represent the interests of our community, and she should work to fund our public schools,” Morales said.
Why HD138 Matters
House District 138 encompasses Jersey Village, Spring Valley Village, Hilshire Village, and a small portion of Houston. The district is notably diverse, with 62.7% of residents being non-Anglo, predominantly Hispanic.
Voter turnout in 2022 was 37%, but with the increased focus on HD138 and a presidential election year, turnout is expected to rise to around 65%. The district’s political leanings, with a +5.4 Trump margin, present a realistic opportunity for a Democratic shift. It is a critical battleground in the fight for control of the Texas House.
Morales is up against Representative Lacey Hull, a Republican with a controversial past. Hull’s previous scandals, including a high-profile affair and subsequent controversies, have not deterred her supporters.
Here are some of the bills Hull has authored or co-authored in the past:
- She signed on to be a co-author of HB6, the Jim Crow voter suppression bill.
- Authored HB530, allowing election judges to carry guns to the polls on election day.
- She co-authored HB1280, which completely bans abortions.
- She also co-authored HB1399, an anti-trans bill prohibiting trans youth from any medical care related to their true self.
Despite this, Morales’ campaign aims to highlight Hull’s controversial stances and focus on Morales’ integrity and community service.
When it comes to vouchers, Morales has openly spoken out against Hull, claiming the incumbent is only interested in lining the pockets of her donors and not in the well-being of public education.
“Note the terminology of #laceyhull post… “school choice” also known as vouchers. Her terminology tells us what way she’s going to vote. She’s not worried about funding public education, she’s worried about lining the pockets of her donors,” Morales posted on Instagram.
