The state house representative seat for District 118 will be on November’s ballot. The district comprises south and northeast parts of San Antonio, including Texas A&M University-San Antonio.
There are two candidates vying for the District 118 seat. The following information has been compiled from their campaign websites and interviews with other publications, because they did not respond to a request for comment from The Mesquite.
John Lujan (Republican Incumbent)
John Lujan is a former firefighter born and raised in San Antonio. The incumbent Texas House District 118 representative, Lujan’s focus has been bolstering border security and combating the fentanyl crisis. He helped secure 1,500 new jobs in his district last year. Lujan backs the expansion of law enforcement resources. He also aims to enhance child welfare and reform the juvenile system. All while ensuring the workforce readiness program to allow the next generation of Texans to succeed.
Lujan’s main ideals pertain to family, faith, and country. His focus is on the strong teachings and values that keep a family together. Lujan adopted three boys and raised them in San Antonio, which is one of the reasons he believes in the importance of good direction for kids.
Lujan is a strong believer in the importance of where a student goes to school and how it influences a growing child.
“Our schools are the backbone of our community, and I fully support ensuring they are adequately funded. All five of my sons graduated from public schools, so I have firsthand experience with the value they bring to our children and communities,” Lujan said.
One of the issues that is most pressing to Lujan is reforming the juvenile system to focus more on rehabilitation, in addition to ensuring that children are prepared for the workforce through the Workforce Readiness program.
Another focus of his is the efforts to strengthen border security, he describes tragic experiences after going to the border in one interview for the Republican Party of Bexar County.
In this interview, Lujan discusses his support for the ID requirement to vote, which he believes protects the voters’ right to vote.
“Just because we have an ID, or you have to show your ID at the time, that’s not making it hard for people to vote. We’re ensuring and protecting the right to vote.” Lujan said.
Lujan discussed his desire to help lift the strain on Texas families caused by high property taxes and inflation. Lujan claims to be relentlessly working on a $18 billion property tax relief bill for Texas residents.
Kristian Carranza (Democrat)
Kristian Carranza was raised in Texas and considers herself a “Southside girl.”
Carranza is running for State Representative to represent District 118. She aims for all the families who know the meaning of grit and sacrifice but are losing faith that the political system is serious about tackling the challenges of working families.
Carranza is fighting for many families who know the meaning of grit and sacrifice in Texas, especially those who relate to her life growing up. Carranza considers herself a very driven person and credits that to her mother.
On her website, Carranza talks about the challenges she faced growing up. She was raised by a single parent without a college degree.
“Making it work meant occasionally relying on the support of family, and a lot of hustle to pay the bills, month after month.” Carranza said.
Another focus of Carranza’s efforts is fighting for Public Schools and giving teachers the pay they deserve with the main focus being fully funding Texas public schools.
A key component of that is to ensure funding is dedicated to keep students safe from gun violence, whether that be having more protection, investing in secure technology or even safety training for staff and children.
Carranza’s primary focuses include addressing the cost of living for working families, ensuring women’s right to make their own healthcare choices, ending gun violence, reforming the energy grid, affordable healthcare and protecting LGBTQ+ Texans.
“I’m fighting for working families,” Carranza said, at the end of her YouTube video campaign.
