State Rep. David Lowe (R-District 91) criticized Democratic challenger Yisak Worku’s experience and comments about policing. Worku, a Democratic Socialists of America member, listed himself as unemployed in a February voter questionnaire.
Worku listed “Unemployed” under “Occupation and workplace” in a voter questionnaire published February 16 by the Fort Worth Report. He also identified himself as a University of Texas at Dallas computer science student who expected to finish his bachelor’s degree in March.
In a separate DSA endorsement questionnaire published by Texas Scorecard in September, Worku listed his occupation as “recent graduate turned candidate.”
Lowe contrasted his background with that of his Democratic opponent.
“Life experience matters in public service. I’ve served our country in combat, worked as a jailer, and raised my children as a stay at home dad. These experiences have taught me responsibility, sacrifice, and the consequences of difficult decisions. I appreciate my opponent’s interest in public service, but I believe experience and proven leadership matter, especially when the stakes are this high,” Lowe told The Dallas Express.
“As someone with a background in Tech, I bring to government a level of tech literacy that will become increasingly important as we face more Tech related regulation and policy questions,” Worku wrote in the February questionnaire.
Worku was born in Ethiopia and moved to the United States after his family won selection through the diversity visa program, according to his campaign biography.
Policing remarks draw response
Worku’s policing statement says “our police represent an antiquated form of emergency response,” according to his BallotReady profile.
In the same statement, Worku argued that homelessness, drug addiction and mental health crises require a larger role for medical and social workers in emergency response.
Lowe defended law enforcement officers in a Facebook post.
“Our communities depend on the brave men and women of law enforcement who put their lives on the line every day doing an incredibly difficult job. They deserve our respect and support, not to be called ‘antiquated.’ I will always back the blue!” Lowe wrote.
Worku’s current criminal-justice platform also proposes ending the death penalty and redirecting spending toward local police and victim support services.
DSA affiliation previously drew scrutiny
Worku’s DSA affiliation previously drew scrutiny after Texas Scorecard published his response to a question about publicly identifying as a democratic socialist on his campaign website or literature. He answered, “No deep red district.”
Worku rejected the suggestion that he concealed his affiliation, as The Dallas Express reported in September.
“I don’t hide that I am DSA. Period,” Worku previously told DX.
Worku did not respond before publication to DX’s request for additional comment, including a question about whether his employment status had changed.
Lowe and Worku face each other in the November 3 election for House District 91 in Tarrant County. Early voting continues through October 30.
