State Senator Nathan Johnson believes the Democratic Party is poised to wield significant influence, perhaps more than it has in recent memory.
In the aftermath of his primary victory on Super Tuesday, Johnson is set to run unopposed by any Republican candidate this coming November.
The composition of the Texas House, already leaning conservative, might tilt even further in that direction once Johnson returns to Austin for the new legislative session in January 2025. However, Johnson views this not as a setback but as a potential advantage for Texas Democrats.
He critiques some conservative Republicans for focusing too narrowly on specific issues, predicting that such topics will soon lose their appeal.
Johnson questions who will step up to address the necessary work, seeing it as a chance for pragmatic, seasoned legislators from both parties to lead and accomplish tasks. He doubts the capability of the new class to effectively manage these responsibilities.
He remains skeptical about the passage of a school voucher bill, noting that some Republicans who opposed vouchers have been defeated or pushed into runoffs by candidates supported by prominent Texas Republicans.
Johnson sees the debate over vouchers not as the main political opportunity but suggests focusing on completing legislative work that has been pending for the last two years. He calls for decisive leadership in education, beyond the voucher debate.
The biggest disappointment of the last legislative session, according to Johnson, was the attempt to link public education funding with a school voucher program, a move he believes will not be repeated due to voter opposition.
Looking ahead to the next session, Johnson prioritizes infrastructure, including water, electricity, education, health care, and transportation.
He emphasizes the importance of preparing for Texas’ future growth and warns against the state’s potential failure due to lack of infrastructure investment.
Johnson criticizes the focus on regressive social issues, arguing that lawmakers must address a broader range of critical matters. He stresses the responsibility of legislators to tackle these diverse challenges, beyond their individual pet issues.