LeUnes plans to fight for schools

Judy LeUnes has visited dozens of schools in recent years and says she is appalled at how they are "starving" for money.

Bryan High School can no longer afford librarians. Some smaller school districts have aides teaching computer courses. And teachers across the state are spending their own money on classroom supplies.

LeUnes says she is running for the Texas Legislature to get those teachers some help.

"Until we get some pro-education teacher candidates in there, this is going to continue to happen," she said.

LeUnes is the only Democrat in the five-person race to represent Brazos County in the Texas House. She taught fifth grade in College Station for 26 years before retiring and entering consulting. She says her experience makes her uniquely qualified to handle what she sees as a public education emergency in the state.

"I know I am the only candidate who knows what is really happening in the public schools," she said.

LeUnes' competitors are Republican businessman Bob Yancy, Republican office chair company owner Rebecca Boenigk, Republican bookstore owner John Raney and Libertarian retail manager Joshua Baker. They are vying in a special election to replace Rep. Fred Brown, a Republican who resigned in the summer to take a job outside the district. Early voting begins Monday, and election day is Nov. 8.

LeUnes admits that she faces an uphill battle as a Democrat in the strongly Republican Brazos County. But she said this year she sees an opening. That is in large part because there is no primary and all five candidates will be on the same ballot. If no one wins a majority, a runoff will be scheduled. And with the three Republicans competing against each other, LeUnes believes she has a good chance of making that runoff.

She also expects her local ties to help. LeUnes has lived in College Station since arriving at age 19 to attend Texas A&M. She has served on the board of directors for the Brazos Animal Shelter and the Rape Crisis Center. And she has worked with the city of College Station at the Lincoln Center and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. She said she has reached out to Democrats, independents and Republicans who she thinks would support her ideas.

"We are targeting people who would really have a voice if they vote for me," she said.

She has some non-education stances -- supporting tax reform and opposing a border fence, for instance.

"I think they should restructure this margins tax and not tax the small creative business people," she said.

But her main strategy is to focus on education, which she says is at the heart of almost every issue. When asked about the economy, she mentions how good schools create a good workforce. And one of the most important ways to improve higher education, she said, is to do a better job of preparing students before they arrive.

"I would just work tirelessly to get my ideas across," she said. "It is going to be very, very interesting and I think a lot of people are just so sick of parties and are crossing over more."

Judy LeUnes

* Age: 58

* Occupation: Education consultant

* Family: Married with two grown children

* Past political experience: Never ran for office, but has served on several boards for the city of College Station and nonprofit groups.

* Endorsements: Democracy for America, Texas Federation of Teachers, Texas State Teachers Association, College Station Education Association