Diane Symons is looking to make her mark as a people-centered candidate rather than a politician, admitting she is not your average candidate.
Texas House of Representatives District 97 is represented by Craig Goldman (R-Fort Worth), who has held the seat for over 10 years. However, there are no incumbents in this race as Rep. Goldman is headed into the primary vying to represent Congressional District 12 to succeed U.S. Rep. Kay Granger.
Symons is looking to flip the seat and will face off against William Thorburn and Carlos Walker in the Democratic primary.
The Dallas Express spoke with Symons about her decision to run and her platform, specifically the three E’s: “education, equality, and the economy.”
Symons is the photographer of 97-year-old Opal Lee, who is affectionately called the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” as she was instrumental in making Juneteenth a federally recognized holiday. Although Symon has a skilled interest in photography, adding Beto O’Rourke to her photography portfolio, her desire to advocate for others is her passion.
Opal Lee has had a significant influence on Symons, who urges the message, “If you can learn to hate, you can learn to love.”
“I am a Democrat,” said Symons, “but I am really in this for everyone because everyone is struggling.”
“Struggling” is a familiar experience for Symons, who lives with multiple sclerosis and seizures, noting that the lesions in her brain have tripled in the last year. Symons stated her worsening condition is a motivator that helped her realize that now is her time to stand in the gap for others.
“This is my time for my voice,” said Symons. “I want to tell people, ‘You’re struggling, and I know what it’s like to struggle. … I’ve got your back.’”
Symons is using her voice to discuss education, equality, and the economy.
When asked about school choice, Symons asserted that the answer is not in vouchers for private schools but in improving the public school system. Additionally, Symons acknowledged that not every job requires college, and trade schools should be included in college and university days in high school.
To this point, Symons has an idea to help people of all ages interested in pursuing an education outside of high school up to a bachelor’s degree.
“Why don’t we give $8,000 a year to any person? It could be someone just coming out of prison — $8,000 a year for trade school, college, or university education in Texas.”
Repayment of these funds would be in the form of volunteer and community service, suggested Symons.
“Giving back to the community is how you pay it back,” said Symons.
Regarding equality and the economy, securing the border continues to be a hot topic. Symons explained that people from all affected agencies, states, and countries must work together to address the issue.
Symons has an idea to vet those who wish to enter our borders by looking at their professional capabilities, prioritizing those who can benefit America’s economy: “We can take down information — ‘Are you in agriculture, a student, doctor, nurse, teacher?’”
Still, “People need to go through the right channels to flee their pain,” she said, but suggested that people who could help fill vocational shortages should be fast-tracked and allowed to bypass some of the wait time, “like a VIP access or a TSA precheck where you can just go through.”
Additionally, inflation and income are the key issues with the economy, emphasized Symons, who would like to see an increase in the minimum wage and an employee tax credit for small businesses to help offset the wage increase cost. “I’ve talked to over 200 small businesses, and they said that would work for them.”
“Every year, the economy grows in Texas; add one extra dollar to the minimum wage,” proposed Symons. “So in 20 years, people can actually make $35 an hour.”
Businesses want educated, trained employees, explained Symons, which ties into her education platform.
“When students go to trade school, college, or university, businesses should be encouraged to hire interns. Hire the students; that way, you’re training them,” said Symons.
Upon graduation from their schooling, businesses could hire these individuals full-time, she contended. Symons noted that this is one way to keep jobs and corporations in America.
“We raise the minimum wage so people can spend money, we get educated people so the businesses are going to thrive, which means more taxes — sales tax, paying into income tax, social security — we are going to make our money back,” she reasoned.
Property taxes are another issue affecting citizens’ equality and quality of life, with elderly and disabled individuals getting kicked out of their homes because they cannot afford the property tax on their social security payments, explained Symons.
“Let’s give them zero dollar property taxes,” proposed Symons, adding teachers to this list.
“Teachers get their retirement through the TRS — they do not get social security. Retired teachers need to have zero dollar property taxes too,” said Symons. This would entice teachers to stay in a district and make it their home, she asserted, advising that “if we do not have experienced teachers, we will not have educated students.”
Symons spoke clearly about the bottom line: “If we get the income and the education right, won’t that help with equality?”
“I want the people to win,” said Symons. “Get out and vote with your heart — vote for who is going to actually help you, your country, family, friends, and neighbors.”