Democratic State Senator Sylvia Garcia remains the heavy favorite in the contest to succeed retiring Congressman Gene Green. Immigration policy is a critical issue in the majority-Hispanic congressional district, but it’s far from Garcia’s sole concern.
Roughly one out of every four residents in Texas 29th district lives below the federal poverty line, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. One out of every three lacks health insurance. And thanks to Harvey, Garcia told Houston Matters, the district is down to one working hospital.
“So we’ve got to focus on community health clinics,” Garcia said. We’ve got to focus on making sure that we make no cuts to Medicare and Medicaid and that we protect Social Security, so that those who can least afford health care have some health care.”
Garcia’s main opponent is Republican Phillip Aronoff, a businessman who has not held elective office. Aronoff advocates repealing the Affordable Care Act.