By D’Andrea Willis, NDG Contributing Writer
Terry Meza is competing in a run-off election for State Representative for District 105 on May 27. The district includes Irving and Grand Prairie. Meza is confident she has the knowledge and the heart to qualify as the ideal candidate to serve.
As a Grand Prairie native, Meza understands the concerns of the primarily suburban communities. She attended high school in Irving before gaining a B.A in Spanish and History. She also earned a secondary teaching certificate.
Meza credits her mother as a great influence on her aspirations to further her education.
“My mother went to a one-room school house in Irving, the education only went as far as about 8th grade. She would repeat that story often, so it was clear that there was some disappointment there,” Meza says. “My mother pushed me to get an education that she didn’t get to have. My older cousin was the only college educated one in the family and she was a school teacher, when my cousin was dying, I dedicated my student teaching to her.“
Following a career in education, Meza was offered an opportunity to become part of a fellowship that encouraged minority women to enter public administration. This doorway led her to become an executive director for non-profit organizations. Meza worked for multiple causes, these included minority advancement, job placement, historic preservation, and many more. Meza went on to later become an attorney.
Meza wants to take all of her experience and use it to help the residents of Grand Prairie and Irving.
“My opponent has many things in common however; my education background is one of the factors that set me apart. The attorney background is good, but its combination with my other experiences is even better,” Meza says.
Meza worked on legal affairs within the National Headquarters of Natural Disasters for Hurricane Katrina and Storm Sandy. “This gave me the experience working with government affairs and disaster outreach. I have such a wide variety of experience that would guide me in making some helpful decisions at the state level,” Meza says.
Meza pinpoints certain initiatives for each district. “Irving is most concerned about issues of transportation,” Meza says. “Having the airport and the DART rails, Irving has positioned itself as very global when it comes to transportation. Whoever becomes State Representative will have to be someone who will fill that void regarding transportation issues.”
“Grand Prairie wants economic advancement; there has been particular concern about firing workers, and creating business development. The residents of Grand Prairie don’t want to be left behind as a city in comparison to the newer cities,” Meza says.
After a career in education, Meza has a strong desire to increase the effectiveness of the education system.
“Legislators have a lot to do with public education. I have the desire to do more, to be one of those voices that adequately funds public education. I also want to make higher education affordable for students again,” Meza says.
She is optimistic about the possibility of winning the run-off for State Representative.
“I have been watching the past few elections. When you look at District 105, the same person gets re-elected year after year, but if you look at the numbers, they are merely just getting by. This is a race that’s winnable for the Democratic Party,” according to Meza.
Having the same republican winner discourages voters from voting. While block walking, Meza knocked on thousands of doors, and she learned from the experience.
“Part of the reason was to let people know that their vote does count. Just because we’ve been represented by the same person, it’s important to let voters know that this district is still very competitive,“ Meza pointed out.
“I feel like I have something to offer, but it takes time, energy, and experience. In this district, there is a chance, and I feel like if I give it my all, then the time is now for a democratic to be elected for State Representative,” Meza says.
“My education and experience mentally prepares me, but equally important is what gives me the desire,” she shared.
Meza has been working with minorities for equality and justice.
“There are communities that I’ve been working alongside for decades to help these communities gain justice, representation, and equality. They know that I’m not just asking for their vote, but that I’m working for the diversity that people commonly don’t acknowledge exists within Irving and Grand Prairie. There’s a lot of diversity, this is simply beautiful and should be celebrated,” she shared.
Not everyone is so happy about diversity and Meza has received hate mail, and angry calls regarding her positions on various civil rights issues.
“There are many stories to tell where I addressed an issue that wasn’t directly in my realm. I’m sure that my opponent believes in civil rights, but actually having to face and meet with sheriffs, schools, commissioners, etc. goes beyond presenting a paper in the courtroom,” Meza points out.
Meza’s key platform initiatives includes:
- working to ensure equal pay for equal work;
- an increase to a living wage so eliminate to lift working people out of poverty;
- increase access to health services — specifically health services for women;
- support public education;
- and increase access to affordable higher education.
Through her service on behalf of District 105 Meza believes she will contribute to the success and development of the entire state.
“There should not be much conflict with that mission, why should something that is beneficial to one district be a disadvantage to another,” Meza shared. “I appreciate all of the support of the people that have supported me thus far; otherwise I wouldn’t be where I am now.”
The early voting dates began today and will end on Friday May 23. The election is set for Tuesday May 27. Meza urges voters to consider and discuss their voting plans during the holiday weekend. If a voter has already voted in the primaries, they are still eligible to vote democratic as long as they didn’t vote republican during the earlier primary election.
For more information visit http://www.voteterrymeza.com.
