Lauren LaCount
Lauren LaCount (Libertarian Party) ran for election to the Texas State Senate to represent District 17. She lost in the general election on November 6, 2018.
LaCount completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2018. Click here to read the survey answers.
Elections
2018
- See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2018
General election
General election for Texas State Senate District 17
Incumbent Joan Huffman defeated Rita Lucido and Lauren LaCount in the general election for Texas State Senate District 17 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Joan Huffman (R) | 51.4 | 158,263 | |
| Rita Lucido (D) | 46.8 | 143,978 | ||
| Lauren LaCount (L) | 1.8 | 5,396 | ||
| Total votes: 307,637 | ||||
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Democratic primary runoff election
Democratic primary runoff for Texas State Senate District 17
Rita Lucido defeated Fran Watson in the Democratic primary runoff for Texas State Senate District 17 on May 22, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Rita Lucido | 57.8 | 10,476 | |
| Fran Watson | 42.2 | 7,659 | ||
| Total votes: 18,135 | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Texas State Senate District 17
Rita Lucido and Fran Watson advanced to a runoff. They defeated Ahmad Hassan in the Democratic primary for Texas State Senate District 17 on March 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Rita Lucido | 48.9 | 17,603 | |
| ✔ | Fran Watson | 35.1 | 12,621 | |
| Ahmad Hassan | 16.0 | 5,739 | ||
| Total votes: 35,963 | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Texas State Senate District 17
Incumbent Joan Huffman defeated Kristin Tassin in the Republican primary for Texas State Senate District 17 on March 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Joan Huffman | 72.6 | 36,668 | |
| Kristin Tassin | 27.4 | 13,808 | ||
| Total votes: 50,476 | ||||
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Campaign themes
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Lauren LaCount completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by LaCount's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
Property Tax Reform Public Education Reform Flood Mitigation and Infrastructure
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
I am very passionate about restoring local control in Texas, because I firmly believe that in such a diverse and geographically expansive state, locals know what is best for them regarding public policy. I don't believe that Washington D.C., nor Austin, Texas can best determine what will improve the quality of life for my family, what my children should know, or how to best make my life better. With localized control, localized funding, and localized solutions every Texan can live their best life.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
I look up to Jesus, and I'd follow him anywhere, even if I felt like he was calling me to serve in politics. That's what motivated me to run for office, encouragement from my pastor and family and friends in the community. Now, I'm more like the flipping tables in the temple image of Jesus than absolutely any other comparison, but I do live my life in service to others and this is the next step on that road for me. If you need a second example, Ron Paul, but he isn't as recognizable a servant.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
1 Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace Matthew 7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you See also: Galatians 5:13, Galatians 6:9, Philippians 2:3-4, Proverbs 27: 23-24 But the whole book is worth a read.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Integrity, even before honesty, because perspective shapes a person's truth. If a leader has integrity then they will tell the WHOLE truth, not a lawyer's truth. If a leader has integrity they will own their mistakes and call out those of others. Integrity and a servant's heartrate all the qualifications anyone should be obligated to have to serve their community.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
Integrity, tenacity, and a solid moral compass. I know that what we do to the people on the opposite side of the political divide could easily be done to us and so I believe in treating everyone with respect and fairness above all else. I have served in elected office and I understand the responsibility and the challenges, and I am willing to go forward into this mess of a political climate to find common ground and carve out a better future for our children starting right now.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
The core responsibility of any elected office is service to the communities that elected us and everyone in the State. It is our responsibility to preserve the freedoms and inailiable rights of individuals while providing the infrastructure and resources to connect all the great communities that make our state so great.
What legacy would you like to leave?
I am not concerned with a legacy, and I don't care if nobody remembers my name. If they do, like my children and my community do, I hope it's for reviving voluntarism and community service on the local level, until it expands into a national movement of people helping each other instead of calling on the government to help them.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
The first historical event in my lifetime that I vividly remember was 9-11 and I was 15, in high school, and horrified by the disregard for human life. I knew, even then, that the entire nation had been victimized by the act of a handful of people. Now I understand that we are all stones on the water casting ripples, and what we do today matters so much for our children's future. Every action we take has a consequence and it's up to each of us to spread positivity and grace in our world to counter all the rest.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
Before I was old enough to have a "real job" I worked around my neighborhood caring for children and pets and doing lawn work. As a mother of three, with a busy pet care business it almost feels like I've been doing it forever. As far as actual employment, I started working in home healthcare when I started nursing school in 2003 and I did that for 2 years.
What happened on your most awkward date?
My husband shot a bird on our first date, and he didn't realise I was an animal rescuer until he looked back over his shoulder and saw my face. Here we are 11 years later with a house full of rescue animals and I still catch myself glaring at him when I think of that date.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. Family. Food, friends, and a reminder of how blessed we are as we come together.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
Wonder Woman, she knows how to get things done and has that awesome lasso.
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My favorite thing is the family bible, eight generations of notes and advice tucked inside a book of advice for every situation.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
Baby Shark
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
My family has a history of addiction. Addiction and the war on drugs sent both my parents to jail and left me to be raised by my grandparents. Once my father was free and sober, an auto accident cut his life short and that time lost to his sentence was even more regrettable. Addiction has taken my older sister away from her children, it took my younger brother's life at only 18, and even the people I love who are in recovery are forever haunted by the disease that is addiction, because there is no cure.
Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?
The most important difference between the House and Senate is the amount of people they are representing. Texas only has 31 Senators, making most Senate districts larger than congressional districts and more diverse. It is only by restoring local control that unique issues can be solved in the Texas Senate Chambers.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
I don't. I believe that we are better served as residents by people who are active locally and those who serve longer only become more disconnected from those they are elected to serve.
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
Texas is growing in population exponentially, but has not invested sufficiently in the foundation and infrastructure necessary to support this population growth. We have unfunded pension liabilities that will threaten the very people who provide every day essential services to our communities. If we default on our promises to teachers, fire fighters, police officers, road crews, and everyday Texans who have dedicated their lives to public service, the entire house of cards will come tumbling down. We must fortify our foundation in Texas.
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
The governor should be the final check on the legislature before Bill's become law. The governor is the last line of defense for the people who elected him and while it would be great if they could work together, his responsibility should be to Texas first.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
Yes, cooperation and compromise, not cronyism or trade offs, are essential to a healthy legislative body
What process do you favor for redistricting?
I call for an end to gerrymandering along partisan lines. Districts should be drawn based on consecutive geographic regions and populations equitably and more Senate seats should be added as populations reach milestones to allow for equitable representation.
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
I would like to participate in finance as I have a successful record of cutting waste and auditing budgets locally. I would also like to serve on State Affairs, as my first hand experiance with flooding and local government give me a unique perspective on these issues.
If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?
My party is not represented in the legislature, but I would love the opportunity to change that.
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
Ron Paul
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
I have already been asked to return to service in local office if I do not win, or after my service in the legislature. I prefer to serve as close to the people I represent as possible.
Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?
It was the first hand experiances from flood victims that motivated me to run for this seat In 2015 I was rescuing people and animals with my first responder husband and sheltering them at my home and kennel. Afterwards I helped them recover, rebuild, and move back home. When another devastating flood ripped through only one year later I was back in service to my neighbors even as my own home and business took on water. My husband is still rebuilding homes for people in the community while I am working on a bigger preventative solution to the problem through legislation. When I sat down with my Senator and heard her apathy to our issues first hand, I knew that I had to run against her, not just because we need better representation, but because it was clear that she was no longer serving us, and I could not let that stand. My personal cell phone number and home address are always publically available and I have always been a responsive leader in my community, that would not change if I was elected to the Senate.
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See also
External links
Footnotes
