Meet the candidates: State Rep. District 37

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — ValleyCentral will be bringing live results for the race for District 37 State Representative.

Texas State Representative Janie Lopez currently holds the position and is running unopposed in the March 5 Republican Primary. Lopez won the State Representative District 37 seat in 2022.

According to Lopez's campaign, she is an advocate for the funding of local infrastructure which includes the increase of state funding to address improvements of pavement, sidewalk, and flood prevention.

She also supports new pro-family legislation and increasing health care services for pregnant women and new mothers. Along with new resources for women, newborns, and families.

Lopez also stands with law enforcement by opposing any legislation that supports defunding the police.

On the Democratic side, four candidates are vying to challenge Lopez in November.

Ruben Cortez, a former Texas Board of Education member, opposes the STAAR test and has advocated for increasing school funding and teacher pay. In addition, Cortez supports real tax relief, affordable health care, well-paying jobs, preventing gun violence, and humanely securing the border.

Alex Dominguez, the former District 37 Representative, opposes vouchers, he is for securing increased funding for public schools, and collective bargaining. With immigration, Dominguez favors legal immigration and supporting the U.S. Border Patrol.

Dominguez also favors the opportunities to develop trade skills for better-paying jobs. Investing in public schools and colleges to train medical professionals, welders, pipe-fitters, and advanced manufacturers of the future.

Jonathan Gracia supports increasing pay for teachers, effective border security with technology personnel, and infrastructure to prevent illegal crossings. Increasing workforce training and mental health service for veterans. Gracia also supports increasing the transparency in health care and reducing the cost of prescription drugs while expanding access to Medicaid.

Carol Lynn Sanchez is an advocate for economic growth and policies that promote job creation with support for small businesses. In education, Sanchez supports raising teacher pay, retaining good staff, and a safe place for children to learn.

In health care, she advocates for accessible and affordable health care. She is dedicated to improving the health care system and reducing medical expenses for families. On border security, Sanchez favors balancing national interests with compassion and human rights in border security policies.

The winner of the Democratic Primary on March 5 will face Republican State Representative Janie Lopez in the November General Election.