Election 2008: District 34 State Representative-Connie Scott
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By Tim Olmeda
Having served as the executive director for the Bay Area Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse for nearly 10 years, community service has always seemed a natural fit for Republican Connie Scott.
"That's what kind of got me involved in the first place," Scott said last week about her candidacy for the District 34 State Representative seat. "Some of the people I used to work with asked me if I would consider putting my name on the ballot."
But for Scott, who was born and raised in Luling, Texas and has lived in Nueces County for 15 years with her husband, Mike, and their four children, becoming a public figure was not something she ever really had in mind.
"I never aspired or dreamed or wanted to go into politics," Scott said. "After discussing it with my husband and family, we decided it was the right thing to do."
After stepping down as BACALA's executive director, Scott accepted the Republican Party's nomination and ran unopposed in the March primary election.
While having never run for public office before, Scott said she is familiar with campaigning for a particular cause, as was the case in 2003 when voters approved Proposition 12. That measure put a cap on damages awarded to victims in medical malpractice lawsuits, and Scott said she was a supporter of the proposition.
"(Lawsuit abuse) doesn't just affect Democrats, it doesn't just affect Republicans, lawsuit abuse affects all citizens," Scott said.
It's her work with BACALA that the Republican nominee feels prepares and qualifies her to serve as the District 34 State Representative, which has been held since 2004 by Democratic incumbent Abel Herrero.
"One of the other things I have worked with in the community is access to healthcare, which is something I truly believe in," Scott said. "It's something I think is important and will continue to be important.
"I believe those working relationships that I have built in Austin give me an advantage over my opponent."
Scott said she felt one of the most pressing issues in the state is the need for insurance reform, adding that she feels too many citizens are being burdened with high costs for health coverage.
"(Insurance reform) is a continual process," Scott said. "Allowing small businesses to band together to help leverage costs to help get health coverage for their employees would be a start."
Controlling government spending is another area Scott said she is concerned with and is hoping to help move the Texas Legislature toward a more fiscally responsible era.
"I believe in helping people by all means available," Scott said. "But I believe the state has a responsibility to cut back at some times.
"We have to know there's times we can't do things."
The Republican nominee said if elected she would make herself readily available to individuals of any party and would work with both sides to get legislation passed that benefits the residents of District 34.
"I think my opponent has been very partisan in his actions and his availability to people," Scott said. "I just truly want to represent the people within this district.
"In reality, a state representative is the representative of the citizens."
"That's what kind of got me involved in the first place," Scott said last week about her candidacy for the District 34 State Representative seat. "Some of the people I used to work with asked me if I would consider putting my name on the ballot."
But for Scott, who was born and raised in Luling, Texas and has lived in Nueces County for 15 years with her husband, Mike, and their four children, becoming a public figure was not something she ever really had in mind.
"I never aspired or dreamed or wanted to go into politics," Scott said. "After discussing it with my husband and family, we decided it was the right thing to do."
After stepping down as BACALA's executive director, Scott accepted the Republican Party's nomination and ran unopposed in the March primary election.
While having never run for public office before, Scott said she is familiar with campaigning for a particular cause, as was the case in 2003 when voters approved Proposition 12. That measure put a cap on damages awarded to victims in medical malpractice lawsuits, and Scott said she was a supporter of the proposition.
"(Lawsuit abuse) doesn't just affect Democrats, it doesn't just affect Republicans, lawsuit abuse affects all citizens," Scott said.
It's her work with BACALA that the Republican nominee feels prepares and qualifies her to serve as the District 34 State Representative, which has been held since 2004 by Democratic incumbent Abel Herrero.
"One of the other things I have worked with in the community is access to healthcare, which is something I truly believe in," Scott said. "It's something I think is important and will continue to be important.
"I believe those working relationships that I have built in Austin give me an advantage over my opponent."
Scott said she felt one of the most pressing issues in the state is the need for insurance reform, adding that she feels too many citizens are being burdened with high costs for health coverage.
"(Insurance reform) is a continual process," Scott said. "Allowing small businesses to band together to help leverage costs to help get health coverage for their employees would be a start."
Controlling government spending is another area Scott said she is concerned with and is hoping to help move the Texas Legislature toward a more fiscally responsible era.
"I believe in helping people by all means available," Scott said. "But I believe the state has a responsibility to cut back at some times.
"We have to know there's times we can't do things."
The Republican nominee said if elected she would make herself readily available to individuals of any party and would work with both sides to get legislation passed that benefits the residents of District 34.
"I think my opponent has been very partisan in his actions and his availability to people," Scott said. "I just truly want to represent the people within this district.
"In reality, a state representative is the representative of the citizens."
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| Election 2008: District 34 State Representative-Abel Herrero | Election 2008: District 27 U.S. Representative-Solomon Ortiz |
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