Political newcomer aims for change in District 26

Incumbent state Rep. Rick Miller can describe his political perspective in five words: “I’m a Christian, conservative Republican.”

His opponent in November, political newcomer and Democrat L. Sarah DeMerchant, takes a different stance: “It’s not about my personal beliefs, wants and desires.” She aims, she said, to be a candidate of the people.

Still, Miller believes he has served the community in a way it likes. Residents first elected Miller to the state House District 26 seat in 2012, when he won with 63 percent of the vote. In 2014, the candidate triumphed again, with 70 percent. Though he does not take re-election for granted, he said he is optimistic he will prevail.

The Fort Bend County district that Miller and DeMerchant are vying to represent encompasses most of Sugar Land, plus all or part of several unincorporated communities, including Cumings, Pecan Grove and New Territory.

It is an area Miller, a leadership consultant and former Navy officer, says he dedicates about 90 percent of his time to serving. “My job is being a state representative,” he said, “and I take it very, very seriously.”

DeMerchant, however, wants residents “to take a stand,” and said she has an advantage over her opponent — who drew attention last year when his openly gay son challenged his stance against Houston’s anti-discrimination

ordinance — because of what she said was her ability to listen to a diverse group of people.

During his time in office, Miller has served on the House appropriations and public health committees. He estimated he helped get about 30 notable bills going, with some pertaining to aiding veterans and supporting the University of Houston. He added that he worked well with Democratic colleagues.

“I think I’m making a difference,” he said.

With Texas continuing to grow, major issues always will include infrastructure, education and health care, Miller said, adding that his focus next session also will include re-evaluating the state’s Child Protective Services and foster care systems. Both have come under heavy criticism and are the focus of reform efforts.

Miller also hopes to look at providing alternative therapies to veterans, with the aim of reducing the suicide rate, he continued. He is interested, too, in looking at methods for tax relief, particularly in regard to property taxes. Locally, Miller said he has looked at clearing the way for the installation of walking and biking trails on rights of way beneath power lines in cities like Meadows Place, Sugar Land and Missouri City.

DeMerchant has her own list of issues she would like to tackle. A top priority is fighting for equal pay for women for equal work, a battle she said she first encountered on a personal level and later began to speak and write about. Property taxes in the area also need to be addressed, she said, agreeing with Miller. She said she has spoken to many constituents worried they were “about to be priced out of their homes.”

DeMerchant said she wants to work on protecting funding for public schools, as well as analyzing whether schools ought to be structured differently, particularly with regard to preparing students in science and math. She expressed fatigue with what she calls “venomous rhetoric” in the news and statements by politicians for the sake of fearmongering.

“You are supposed to be active and engaged with all of the diversity in your community,” she said. “You have to listen to the challenges. You have to listen to the problems that they’re having.”

DeMerchant, 43, attended the University of HoustonDowntown, where she received a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems, and later earned a Masters of Business Administration at UH-Sugar Land, she said. Her experience working in technology taught her how to identify problems with others and translate them into solutions, she added.

Miller, 71, attended the U.S. Naval Academy and spent 30 years in the military. Through that experience, he said he learned the value of establishing relationships and developed skills for working with people who disagreed with him. “There are politics in everything,” he said.

DeMerchant reported $22,622 in total political contributions for the period covering July through September, with $10,467 remaining cash on hand, according to online campaign finance reports. Miller reported raising $12,500 over the same time period, leaving $51,559 cash on hand.

Fort Bend County Republican Party Chair Mke Gibson said he expects to see Miller win by a wide margin. “Rick has done a good job in the legislature,” Gibson said.

Fort Bend County Democratic Party Chair Cynthia Ginyard encouraged voters to think about change when they go to the polls. Of the outcome, she said, “Anything is possible.”