Meet the candidates for Texas House District 93 in the Nov. 5 general election

The Texas Capitol dome is seen in this file photo.

Republican Nate Schatzline is running against Democrat Perla Bojorquez as he bids for a second term in the Texas House.

The North Texas pastor names securing the border, empowering parent’s in their child’s education, helping Texas become a education leader and a pathway to eliminating property taxes among his top priorities.

Bojorquez, a stay at home wife, prioritizes supporting and funding public schools, improving the economy and health care access.

Nate Schatzline

Party: Republican

Age: 32

Campaign website: natefortexas.com

Best way for voters to reach you: Email: natefortexas@gmail.com

Occupation: Pastor

Education: Master’s Degree in Political Science from Liberty University

Have you run for elected office before?

Yes - State Rep. HD 93

Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism:

I founded and oversee an organization that trains and empowers Christians to be civically engaged. I was named one of the most conservative members of the Texas Legislature. I co-sponsored critical border security legislation, many pro-family bills, and provided meaningful property tax relief to the people of HD93.

Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain:

No

Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain:

No

Who are your top three campaign contributors?

I am thankful for all my donors. If you’re interested in my campaign finance report, it’s public information.

Why are you seeking this office?

I am seeking re-election to bring reformation to the Texas House and to see Texas family values, economic prosperity, excellent education, and border security return to the state of Texas.

What are your top 3 policy priorities?

I am focused on Securing the Texas Border, empower parents in their child’s education, help Texas become the leader in education nationwide, and put Texas on a path to eliminate property taxes.

Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?

Voters should choose me because I have a proven track record of fighting for our conservative Texas values. I have also stood up to the Austin uniparty time and time again, including standing against the weaponization of government during the sham impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton. Additionally, I am committed to passing our GOP priorities as well as legislation that will better the life of constituents in HD93.

What is the biggest challenge facing the district where you’re running, and what is your plan to address it?

HD 93 faces the same challenges that all Texans are facing which include record high inflation, a struggling economy & rising interest rates that make it near impossible for the next generation to own a home, & the rise in crime & fentanyl that comes from an open border. However, while many school districts in Texas are indoctrinating our children rather than educating them, HD93 is home to some exceptional school districts who could use an increase in school funding. I have and will support our ISD’s who do not push their woke ideologies on our children. Additionally parents deserve to have the final say in their child’s education, and passing school choice will remain one of my priorities. And of course, we owe it to our constituents to not just provide meaningful property tax relief, but to put us on a path to eliminating the M&O portion of those property taxes. We do this by buying down the M&O portion and reducing state spending in the budget.

How would you measure your success as a state legislator?

Seeing conservative priority legislation pass through the Texas Legislature, regardless of whose name is on the bill.

Do you support vouchers or voucher-like programs, such as education savings accounts? Why or why not?

Since day one I have supported school choice. I believe parent’s should have the final say in their child’s education and every constituent’s tax dollars should follow their student. There are many measures that can be taken to ensure that our public schools are taken care of, but when districts like Fort Worth ISD have failed children for years, fewer students than ever before are proficient in reading, writing, and arithmetic, & many Texas school districts are indoctrinating children with anti-America rhetoric, social Marxist ideology, and sexual perversion, we must ensure that every child has access to a quality education.

What is your plan to fund Texas public schools?

Last session I voted yes on every public school funding bill that came to the Texas House floor. I plan to continue to support public education, as well as fight to eliminate STAAR testing, and fight for parental rights in their child’s education as well.

Has the state done enough to ensure a steady supply of electricity, even in tight grid conditions? What more should be done?

No they have not. We must place a massive focus on grid reliability during this next session.

What should the state do in the coming legislative session to address road infrastructure?

Texas must look at projected growth and plan for years in advance. People are fleeing blue states and moving to Texas. We must prepare accordingly.

What should the state do in the coming legislative session to address the supply of water in Texas?

Addressing our water supply should and will be a major priority in the 89th legislative session and I plan to work alongside our city to address the direct needs of North Fort Worth and our surrounding communities.

What should the state do in the coming legislative session to address border security along the Texas-Mexico border and immigration?

I am proud to have co-authored SB4, which creates a state jail felony for illegal entry through the Texas border. Additionally, I supported over $5 billion in additional funding for border security. We must continue to Secure the Texas border by supporting Operation Lone Star, finishing the border wall with or without the help of the federal government, requiring DNA testing at the point of entry to combat child trafficking, considering legislation that would require each municipality in Texas to participate in the 287G program, & pass legislation that helps identify & combat dangerous criminals & the cartel.

What should the state legislature do to address property taxes and affordable housing for Texans in the coming legislative session?

We must present legislation that will put us on a path to the complete elimination of property taxes. It may start with incremental cuts but there must be progress toward complete elimination.

Should Texas make any changes to its current abortion laws. Why or why not, and what changes would you support?

I’m proud that Texas has some of the strongest pro-life laws in the country, and as a result thousands of babies have been saved. That said, our foster care system needs reform, and I plan to be a strong advocate for foster children. Additionally, we must lower the barriers to adoption.

What’s an issue that doesn’t make as many headlines but is important to you? Why is it important?

There are many issues that should make headlines but don’t. Some of those issues are addressing the corrupt foster care system, lowering the barriers to adoption, & addressing the mental health crises in our youth caused by social media and harmful online content.

What steps will you take to communicate with constituents about their concerns, needs and the actions of the state legislature?

Constituents can subscribe to my email list on my website where I send out updates on what is happening in the district, what legislation our office is working on, as well as any upcoming events that we may be putting on. We also encourage constituents to email my state email, call our office, or reach out to set up a call or in-person meeting.

Perla Bojorquez

Age: 37

Campaign website: HTTPS://PERLAFORTEXAS.COM

Best way for voters to reach you: PERLAFORTEXAS@GMAIL.COM

Occupation: STAY AT HOME WIFE / CANDIDATE

Education: BACHELORS OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION

Have you run for elected office before?

N/A

Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism:

PTA MEMBER, LULAC MEMBER, FORMER PRECINCT CHAIR, FORMER BOARD MEMBER FOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS, SECRETARY OF LATINA OUTREACH AND LEADERSHIP

Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain:

N/A

Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain:

N/A

Who are your top three campaign contributors?

GRASSROOTS DONORS, UFCW, NORTHEAST TARRANT DEMOCRATS

Why are you seeking this office?

OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE UNDER ATTACK, WOMEN ARE LOSING THEIR FREEDOM AND RIGHTS, OUR BORDER IS NOT GETTING ANY SAFER OR MORE SECURE, OUR CURRENT REPRESENTATIVE IS NOT DOING ANYTHING TO REPRESENT OUR DISTRICT.

What are your top 3 policy priorities?

SUPPORTING AND FUNDING PUBLIC SCHOOLS, IMPROVING THE ECONOMY, EXTENDING ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE.

Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?

I AM MORE QUALIFIED, I HAVE SERVED COMMUNITIES FOR OVER A DECADE, I AM A MODERATE DEMOCRAT WHO IS WILLING TO LISTEN TO ALL THE NEEDS OF TEXANS. MY OPPONENT IS A FAR-RIGHT MAGA REPUBLICAN WHO WANTS TO INFUSE HIS RELIGION INTO EVERY ASPECT OF GOVERNMENT.

What is the biggest challenge facing the district where you’re running, and what is your plan to address it?

THE VOTING HISTORY IN HD-93 HAS LEANED CONSERVATIVE, AND THEN IT WAS GERRYMANDERED AGAIN IN 2021. WE HAVE OVERCOME THIS OBSTACLE BY KNOCKING ON DOORS SINCE JULY, CALLING CONSTITUENTS, MAILING POSTCARDS, AND ENCOURAGING NEW FAMILIES TO UPDATE THEIR VOTER REGISTRATION. WE HAVE EARNED MORE SUPPORT THAN MY OPPONENT WHO HAS DONE NOTHING BECAUSE HE HAD THIS POSITION HANDED TO HIM IN 2022.

How would you measure your success as a state legislator?

I WOULD MEASURE MY SUCCESS BY EARNING THE TRUST OF MY DISTRICT, IN THAT I WILL ALWAYS ADVOCATE FOR THEIR NEEDS AND HOPEFULLY RE-ELECTION.

Do you support vouchers or voucher-like programs, such as education savings accounts? Why or why not?

SCHOOL VOUCHERS ARE A SCAM. THEY WILL FUNNEL PUBLIC TAXPAYER FUNDS AND GIVE THEM TO PRIVATE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS (AND FAMILIES WHO CAN ALREADY AFFORD TO SEND THEIR KIDS THERE). THEY WILL NOT GIVE PARENTS A CHOICE BECAUSE PRIVATE SCHOOLS CAN REJECT ANYONE FOR ANY REASON. PRIVATE SCHOOLS DO NOT WANT TO BE HELD TO THE SAME STANDARDS AND ARE ALREADY DEMANDING NOT TO BE FORCED TO TAKE THE STAAR EXAM THAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE GRADED WITH.

What is your plan to fund Texas public schools?

WE HAVE A SURPLUS, THE FUNDS ARE ALREADY THERE. WE SHOULD HAVE USED THESE FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE SAFETY MANDATE WE REQUIRED ALL SCHOOLS TO ENFORCE. INSTEAD SCHOOLS HAD TO START THE YEAR WITH DEFICITS AND CONTINUE TO CUT TEACHERS AND PROGRAMS TO SURVIVE. WE COULD ALSO USE THESE FUNDS TO PAY FOR SCHOOL LUNCHES, IMAGINE HOW MANY FAMILIES WOULD BE RELIEVED OF THE FINANCIAL OBLIGATION THAT IT TAKES TO FEED MULTIPLE STUDENTS ENROLLED IN SCHOOL. THAT COULD BE A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS TO EVERY HOUSEHOLD PER MONTH AND HUGE FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN’T AFFORD IT RIGHT NOW.

Has the state done enough to ensure a steady supply of electricity, even in tight grid conditions? What more should be done?

NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT. TEXAS HAS POWER INSECURITY AND CORPORATIONS ARE ALLOWED TO PRICE GOUGE EVERY TIME WE PUSH LIMITS. WE NEED TO REGULATE ERCOT BETTER AND DIVERSIFY OUR ENERGY PORTFOLIOS.

What should the state do in the coming legislative session to address road infrastructure?

WE NEED TO ACCURATELY GAUGE THE PROJECTION OF GROWTH. WE ARE SEEING HOMES BEING BUILT BEFORE THE ROADS CAN ACTUALLY FLOW SAFELY. WE ARE BUILDING EXPRESS ROADS AND NOT INVESTING IN A RAIL THAT COULD CONNECT DFW COMMUNITIES AND OTHERS IN THE STATE. WE NEED WALKABLE AREAS AND BIKE LANES, INSTEAD WE SEE HIGHWAYS BEING STRETCHED OUT AND THE SIDE ROADS ARE CONGESTED TO THE MAX.

What should the state do in the coming legislative session to address the supply of water in Texas?

WE NEED TO STOP BUILDING HOMES AND COMMUNITIES THAT REQUIRE CONSTANT WATERING TO KEEP UP WITH THE JONES’. WE NEED NATURAL TEXAS FLOWERS ETC THAT CAN SURVIVE WITH LESS WATER. WE NEED TO INVEST IN SYSTEMS THAT CAN SAFELY RECYCLE DRINKING WATER AND NOT PUT RESIDENTS IN DANGER WITH TAINTED WATER. HAVING A BOIL NOTICE IN 2024 IS ALARMING AND NOT SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE. WE NEED TO HOLD THE CORPORATIONS AND BUSINESSES WHO POLUTE WATER ACCOUNTABLE AS WELL.

What should the state do in the coming legislative session to address border security along the Texas-Mexico border and immigration?

WE NEED BIGGER FACILITIES, WE NEED MORE IMMIGRATION JUDGES, AND WE NEED TO EDUCATE THE STATE ON HOW EVERYONE CAN HELP. A LOT OF IT COMES DOWN TO FEDERAL LEVEL SOLUTIONS, BUT WE ARE WASTING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON A FAILED OPERATION AND ARE RUINING ECOSYSTEMS AND MAKING IT MORE DANGEROUS. HATEFUL RHETORIC IS NOT OKAY, INSTEAD WE NEED TO ASSESS THE INFLUX OF IMMIGRANTS AND BE MORE DIPLOMATIC ON WHY THEY ARE IMMIGRATING TO OUR BORDERS. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS NOW AN ECONOMY FOR OUR NATIONAL TROOPS AND BORDER TOWNS THAT PROVIDE HOUSING AND FOOD. WE CAN CONTINUE TO DO THAT WITHOUT HARMING THOSE TOWNS.

What should the state legislature do to address property taxes and affordable housing for Texans in the coming legislative session?

CORPORATIONS THAT BOUGHT UP HOUSING AND INCREASED RENTS SHOULD BE FINED AND BANNED FROM DOING SO AGAIN. CITIZENS NEED TO BE EDUCATED ON HOW MUCH THEY ARE PAYING, WHY THEY ARE PAYING IT, AND WHERE IT ALL GOES. WE NEED TO BUILD SMALLER FIRST TIME HOMES INSTEAD OF THESE FIVE BEDROOM HOMES THAT START AT $300K AND ABOVE.

Should Texas make any changes to its current abortion laws. Why or why not, and what changes would you support?

YES, ABSOLUTELY. TEXAS HAS HIGHER MORTALITY RATES THAN THIRD WORLD COUNTIES. THE STRAIGHT, WHITE, MALE REPRESENTATIVES THOUGHT THAT THEIR INTERPRETATION OF THE BIBLE WAS ABOVE ACTUAL DOCTORS AND MEDICAL RESEARCH. WE NEED TO GIVE THESE LIFE SAVING DECISIONS BACK TO THE PROFESSIONALS AND AMEND HARMFUL LEGISLATION THAT PRIORITIZES RELIGION OVER SCIENCE.

What’s an issue that doesn’t make as many headlines but is important to you? Why is it important?

HOW WE ALLOW THE STAAR EXAM TO GRADE OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THEN HARM PROPERTY VALUES WHEN THE GRADE DECREASES (BY DESIGN). HOW MUCH POWER SHOULD THE TEA REALLY HAVE IF THESE SCHOOLS CAN’T GET THE FUNDING THEY NEED...

What steps will you take to communicate with constituents about their concerns, needs and the actions of the state legislature?

BEING ACCESSIBLE IS IMPORTANT TO ME BECAUSE THEN PEOPLE CAN REACH OUT, SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, OR SHOW UP TO A COMMUNITY EVENT AND ASK THE QUESTIONS THEY NEED. CLEAR, TRANSPARENT, COMMUNICATION IS VITAL TO ANY HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP, ESPECIALLY IF THIS PERSON IS MAKING LIFE CHANGING DECISIONS AND VOTES FOR US.