BELL COUNTY, Texas — As the first day of early voting kicks off Monday, Oct. 21, Central Texas voters are gearing up for the upcoming elections.
In the race for Texas House District 55, two candidates vying for the position: Jennifer Lee, a Democrat and former teacher, and Hillary Hickland, a Republican and stay-at-home mom. Both candidates share a common concern: Education.
“I care so much about education, and I've already seen the damage that has been done, and I see that more damage could be done,” Lee said. “I can't sit by and just continue to watch.”
This sentiment also resonates deeply with her opponent. Hickland, who has spent significant time advocating for educational legislation in Austin, echoed Lee’s concerns.
“It was issues with education that sent me to Austin once a week advocating for legislation to protect our kids,” Hickland stated.
Both candidates are not only advocates for education, but also mothers and graduates of Baylor University, establishing a personal connection to their community. Lee began her career in education at Harker Heights High School where she “absolutely fell in love” with teaching. In contrast, Hickland’s journey into politics stemmed from her role as a dedicated parent seeking to effect change.
When discussing their qualifications for office, 6 News posed an essential question regarding their lack of political backgrounds to which Hickland responded, “I want to represent the people of my community. Just being a member of the community qualifies me as an upstanding member.”
Lee took a different approach, emphasizing her identity as an educator over party affiliation.
“I love to tell people, you know, I'm not a Democrat, I'm a teacher," Lee said. "Teachers teach a public school. A teacher will teach any child that walks in their classroom, just like I will represent any person in House District 55.”
The stakes are high in this election, especially with Lee facing Hickland, who has secured endorsements from prominent figures, including Former President Donald Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Lee’s endorsements include prominent Democratic figures like Beto O'Rourke and Collin Allred, which may play a significant role in rallying support.
6 News inquired how Lee plans to attract voters despite these high-profile endorsements for her opponent.
“I will absolutely vote against any iteration of the vouchers," she said. "No taxpayer dollars need to be diverted into what I call the private school abyss."
On the other side, Hickland laid out her key policy priorities, including lower property taxes, enhancing border security and advocating for Abbott’s school voucher plan, which her predecessor, incumbent Hugh Shine, did not support.
“We need lower property taxes. We're all feeling the cost of living. It's a heavy burden,” she explained.
As both candidates prepare for the upcoming election, voters in House District 55 are left with critical decisions to make.
With early voting now underway, residents of House District 55 will have the opportunity to weigh their options and consider the candidates’ stances on pressing issues affecting their community.
For voters seeking more information, 6 News will continue to provide insights into the candidates and their policies leading up to Election Day. We also have our early voting guide, which you can find here.
As the election approaches, the importance of each vote becomes increasingly clear, with both candidates striving to articulate their visions for the future of Texas education and community well-being. Watch our full sit-down interviews with both Hickland and Lee below: