Democrat Averie Bishop (right) lost to Rep. Angie Chen Button. (Photos courtesy Bishop and Button campaigns)
A race in the Dallas suburbs between a Democratic challenger and Republican incumbent is heating up. Here’s where the candidates stand on education, reproductive rights, gun reform, immigration, and the economy.
When voters cast their ballots in a Texas House race in the Dallas suburbs, they’ll pick between two candidates with starkly different positions on hot-button issues, including school vouchers, reproductive rights, and immigration.
Former Miss Texas and Democrat Averie Bishop is looking to flip the District 112 seat by defeating long-time Republican incumbent Rep. Angie Chen Button.
Button has been a member of the Texas House since 2009, representing a district that includes Garland, Richardson, Rowlett, Sachse, Sunnyvale, and portions of Dallas. Fifty-five percent of the population is white, while Hispanic, Black and Asian residents make up 17%, 13% and 11% of the population respectively, according to recent census data.
The district, which is home to approximately 177,722 people, is being touted as “the most winnable seat in Texas,” by Bishop’s campaign, and is considered to be one of the Democrats best seat pickup opportunities.
In 2020, Button won reelection by just 222 votes and has remained a background figure in the Texas House, stating that she rarely gives public speeches on the floor because she’s uninterested in fanning political flames.
Bishop, on the other hand, has continued to make headlines speaking out about issues such as gun violence and reproductive rights to her over 800,000 TikTok followers.
Bishop’s large audience, the demographics of the district, and a coordinated statewide campaign by Democrats has made this a competitive race.
Here’s a run down on the stark differences between Bishop and Button on key issues for voters.
Education
Both Button and Bishop, the first Asian woman to win Miss Texas, are among a small number of Asian women in Texas politics. The winner will not only be the sole Asian woman in the legislature, but also one of six members to ever serve in the 150-member Texas House. However, they have vastly different opinions on diversity initiatives.
Button voted in support of Gov. Greg Abott’s Senate Bill 17 that was signed into law in June 2023. The bill prohibits public institutions of higher education from establishing or maintaining diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) offices.
That same month, Bishop traveled to the Texas Capitol to talk with lawmakers about the importance of inclusive education, and launched her “Y’all Means All” campaign, where she traveled to schools statewide promoting diversity initiatives.
This election in particular will also play a critical role in the Republican push for school vouchers, as Bishop has joined the flight against Abott’s private school voucher program, while Button voted in support of the plan. Abbott wants to use state money to pay for private school tuition.
In addition to stopping school vouchers, Bishop has stated she will advocate for a significant increase in the per-student allotment, something Button voted against. Per-student funding hasn’t increased since 2019.
Reproductive Rights
In 2021, Button voted in favor of SB 8, also referred to as the Texas Heartbeat Act, which banned most abortions once a fetal heartbeat can be detected, and voted “yes” on SB 4, a bill that bans all medication abortions after seven weeks and prevents the mailing of medication abortion drugs.
Bishop is campaigning on restoring reproductive rights, stating she will “fight to bring back protections for safe, legal abortion in Texas and ensure women have access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare.”
She has also pushed for legislation that protects doctor-patient relationships, ensuring medical decisions are made between patients and healthcare professionals, as well as expanding access to affordable contraception and fertility treatments.
Gun Reform
When it comes to common sense gun reform, Button voted “present” — choosing not to take a position — on a law that allowed Texans to carry guns without a permit that passed in 2021 and Abbott signed into law. She’s been endorsed by both the National Rifle Association and the Texas State Rifle Association, and has an “A” rating by both. Button has also co-authored open carry legislation.
Bishop has been outspoken on the need for stricter gun control in Texas, and is advocating for universal background checks, safe storage laws, and a banning assault weapons that “are designed for war, not our schools or neighborhoods.” She has also garnered support from gun control group Everytown.
Border Control and Immigration
Button voted in favor of SB4, also known as the “show me your papers” law, which allows law enforcement to question a person’s immigration status during routine stops. She also supported legislation that allocated funds to the border wall project.
Bishop has said she “will work to repeal anti-immigrant laws that create division and target vulnerable communities.” Her campaign is also focused on community policing strategies that “build trust and collaboration between law enforcement and the people they serve, instead of fostering fear.”
Economy
While wages have continued to increase across the country, Texas is among states with the highest proportion of low-wage workers despite the cost of living continuing to rise. Button voted against legislation that would raise the statewide minimum wage, all while voting to cut taxes for large corporations while opposing tax relief for working-class families.
Bishop has pitched to voters that she will advocate to raise the minimum wage, strengthen union protections that will ensure workers have the right to organize for better pay and conditions, and push for tax reforms that would close corporate loopholes and help create “an economy that works for everyone, not just for those at the top.”
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