From Courtroom To Campaign: Gracia’s Dedication To Public Service

Governor Greg Abbott has declared victory in his voucher fight, but Texas Democrats are gearing up to flip enough seats in November to stop the Governor’s top priority. There are a little more than a dozen races to follow, and according to State Representative Gina Hinojosa, only three more Democratic seats are needed to block vouchers again.

“We need to elect about three more Democrats to the Texas House to defeat vouchers and defend our neighborhood public schools,” she said.

One of these flippable seats is House District 37, where Brownsville attorney Jonathan Gracia is challenging Incumbent state Rep. Janie Lopez, R-San Benito.

In the primary election, none of the candidates secured more than 50% of the vote, sending Ruben Cortez and Gracia to runoffs, where Gracia ultimately emerged victorious. In a Facebook post, Gracia expressed his “profound gratitude” to everyone who voted for him.

“Your voices have been heard, and the decision was unanimous,” he wrote. “This victory didn’t come easy … since October, we’ve knocked on over 4,000 doors, talked to thousands of people, and put in countless hours of dedication and hard work to earn your trust.”

Gracia is a lifelong resident of the Rio Grande Valley and a former prosecutor with the Cameron County District Attorney’s Office. He established The Gracia Law Firm in 2012 and brings over 15 years of experience as an attorney. He previously served two terms as a justice of the peace in eastern Cameron County.

“Serving the community is a privilege, and I will always strive to create a legacy of compassion, integrity, and progress for our younger generation,” Gracia said when he first announced his campaign.

District 37 is a border battleground, and Gracia has made education one of his top priorities. He has stated that he doesn’t see himself as a politician but rather a public servant.

According to his campaign website, Gracia wants to increase “teacher, counselor, and staff pay, security & safety, workforce development & technical training, and taking care of retired educators with a 13th check.”

He also advocates for “effective border security which requires technology, personnel, and infrastructure to prevent illegal crossings and address potential threats while balancing immigration enforcement with a fair asylum and legal entry system.” Other top priorities include economic development, reliable energy, veterans’ affairs, infrastructure, and healthcare.

The incumbent, Lopez, has a controversial record. Despite Republicans boosting her campaign with $1.4 million in 2022, she only won by three points, with voter turnout in the district at just 29%. Lopez’s voting record includes support for the “Show Me Your Papers” bill, a $1.5 billion taxpayer-funded border wall, and a 10-year minimum sentence for having an undocumented person in one’s car – despite them being a friend or family member. She also voted to end diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives on Texas college campuses and to make Texas an oil and gas sanctuary.

House District 37 is 83% Hispanic, with 25% of adults lacking a high school degree, and has double the poverty rate of the state average. Despite Republicans gerrymandering this district to favor Democrats, low voter turnout allowed Lopez to win.

This year, the fundraising battle between Gracia and Lopez is nearly equal, signaling a competitive race. While Lopez relied heavily on Republican PACs in her previous campaign, Gracia’s fundraising efforts reflect strong community support. 

According to the Texas Ethics Commission latest report, Lopez raised $143,000, spent $40,000, and has $103,000 cash on hand. Her top donors include Texans for Lawsuit Reform (TLR), Coalition Por For Texas PAC, Border Health PAC, Texas Sands PAC, and Rep. David Cook. Meanwhile, Gracia raised $122,000, spent $12,000, and has $95,000 cash on hand, along with $245,000 in loans. He has received contributions from the Texas Democratic Party and Tomas Torres, a retired Houston realtor.

Despite Abbott’s success in ousting eight Republican incumbents who voted against his voucher bill in the 88th Legislative session, the Governor is far from securing enough votes in the House to pass this policy. Democrats are using his school voucher policy in their campaigns to flip seats, criticizing Abbott’s push to use taxpayer funds for private school tuition while public schools face teacher shortages and budget deficits.

Gracia has vowed to fight for public schools and against vouchers if elected.

“I understand the challenges our public schools face and the critical need for quality education for every child. That’s why I am committed to fighting for our public education system and standing firmly against vouchers that divert much-needed resources away from our schools. Together, we can ensure that every child has access to the education they deserve,” he said.

“Let’s continue to champion our public schools and build a brighter future for our children.”