TX HD 129: Parent PAC Endorses Sherrie Matula

Texas Parent PAC has endorsed Sherrie Matula (D-Houston) in the race for Texas House District 129 over incumbent State Rep. John Davis (R-Clear Lake).

From Parent PAC’s press release:

The bipartisan Texas Parent PAC today announced its endorsement of Sherrie Matula for state representative in House District 129, which covers south Houston, Clear Lake-NASA community, cities of Seabrook and Webster, and the surrounding area.

“Sherrie Matula will have an immediate impact in the Texas House of Representatives, because she is experienced, energetic, and totally committed to representing the people of her district,” said Manuel Rodriguez, Jr. of Houston, a Texas Parent PAC Board member. “The families of H.D. 129 need better representation, and it is time for a change at the Capitol.”

Texas Parent PAC was created by parents who joined together to elect strong and effective legislative leaders who will stand up for children and parents and strengthen neighborhood schools. In addition, a broad base of individuals and business leaders is supporting this bipartisan grassroots campaign effort.

“Unlike her opponent, Sherrie Matula represents the mainstream views and interests of parents and children, taxpayers and businesses,” said Darci Hubbard of Houston, Texas Parent PAC Board member. “Bay Area families deserve an independent representative of the highest integrity who will consistently stand up for their needs.”

Matula is the only candidate in this race who has taken a stand to oppose siphoning money from public schools to fund private school vouchers. “In 2005, incumbent John Davis spoke on the House floor in support of a tax-funded private school tuition voucher program for low-income and Spanish-speaking Houston students,” Rodriguez said. “Davis was irresponsible in pushing a new voucher entitlement program that could have cost taxpayers $200 million in the first two years of the Houston program.” The voucher program Davis supported was defeated.

Texas Parent PAC leaders said Matula will use her leadership and collaboration skills to solve problems affecting families, including skyrocketing homeowners’ insurance costs, electric bills, and college tuition.  As a member of the Chamber of Commerce, she will work to address small business concerns with health insurance and the margins tax. She is a fiscal conservative who will work to balance Texas fiscal operations and attract new businesses.

Matula moved to the Bay Area after her husband graduated from Texas A&M University in 1974.  She graduated from the University of Houston in 1975.  For 25 years she taught in the Clear Creek and Pasadena school districts, and she is now a science education consultant. Matula was elected to serve two terms on the Clear Creek ISD school board, gaining experience in budget management, constituent service, and public policy decision-making.

Throughout her career Matula has been recognized for exemplary teaching and leadership skills, including multiple nominations for Who’s Who of America’s Teachers, National Honor Roll of Educators, and Disney Teacher of the Year. Parents and teachers honored her with a Lifetime PTA Award in 1988.

Matula is a strong advocate for public education, having served as a board member of the Texas State Teachers Association and as a citizen lobbyist for children and schools at the Texas legislature since 1978.

She has been very active in her community for over 34 years, including being a charter member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church, board member and president of the Clear Lake Symphony, and board member and president of Middlebrook Community Association. In addition, she has served as board member of Clear Lake High School choir and soccer booster associations and board member of the Bay Area Youth Basketball Association.

Mike and Sherrie Matula have been married for 35 years, and they have two daughters who both graduated from Clear Lake High School and Texas A&M University.

Texas Parent PAC is endorsing a small and select number of Republican and Democratic legislative candidates statewide. The PAC describes its endorsed candidates as “men and women of integrity, open and responsive to parents, actively involved in their communities, and committed to investing in public education to achieve economic prosperity in Texas.”
Parents are encouraged to volunteer in the Sherrie Matula campaign, to donate money and in-kind services, and to vote and bring friends to the polls during the October 20-31 early voting period and on the November 4 election day.
For more information on Sherrie Matula and her campaign, call 281-282-1351 or visit www.sherriematula.com.