WiseUp TX

Sima Ladjevardian is running for United States Congress!  The 2nd Congressional district covers the west part of Houston, and then extends around the north side of the city, including some suburbs.  Sima talks about her background as an Iranian immigrant, and what she envisions for our country from immigration reform to managing the Covid-19 pandemic.  Before deciding to run for office herself, she worked to help other candidates as a political activist (including Beto O'Rourke).

Learn more about her on her website. 

WiseUp TX is a nonpartisan nonprofit and does not endorse any candidate or political party. 

WiseUp TX founder and board member, Azra Siddiqi, returns to the podcast to talk about the upcoming 2020 Election. It's a podcast jam-packed with important information such as who is on the ballot, how to participate in mail-in voting (if you qualify), utilizing safe practices to vote during a global health pandemic, what to do if you face voter intimidation, where to find your polling locations, sample ballots, and why you should vote. On the voter page of our website, www.wiseuptx.org, you will find all the information you need to vote. It is a one stop shop with your polling locations, sample ballots, candidate infographics, your local newspaper's voter guide, FAQs, and podcast interviews! Let's make sure the Texas South Asian community is ready to WiseUp, MaskUp, and VoteUp and Down the Ballot! 

Sri Preston Kulkarni is a South Asian candidate running for U.S. Congress in Texas' 22nd Congressional district (Suburbs of Houston such as Sugarland, Pearland, Katy, and Clearlake).  If he wins he will be the first person of color to represent this majority minority district.  He ran in 2018 and started the grassroots effort to get the South Asian community involved in a political campaign.  In this interview, he talks in depth about creating a coalition of South Asian voters and the diversity within the South Asian community itself.  He talks about "relational organizing," explaining how campaigns should rely on organic relationships among communities to reach out to more voters.  Tune in to hear more about his campaign.

You can visit his website here.   

WiseUp TX is a nonpartisan nonprofit and does not endorse any candidate or political party. 

Candace Valenzuela is running to represent a diverse district of suburbs between Dallas and Fort Worth (such as Addison, Irving, Grapevine, Southlake, Carrolton, Euless, etc). This district includes parts of Dallas County, Denton County, and Tarrant County.  She talks about the South Asian population in her district, and the power of diverse representation.  She discusses the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic particularly on essential workers and her desire to serve those Texans.  Finally, she talks about Islamophobia in the district which has been used by other political candidates to garner support. 

Learn more about her on her website. 

WiseUp TX is a nonpartisan nonprofit and does not endorse any candidate or political party. 

State Representative Ed Thompson currently represents District 29, which includes Pearland and other suburbs south of Houston.  He talks about his service in this district as the State Rep. since 2012 and his current run as the Republican candidate.  He talks about the Covid-19 pandemic and its toll, but also about the continued economic growth and opportunity despite it.

Learn more about him on his website.

WiseUp TX is a nonpartisan nonprofit and does not endorse any candidate or political party.

Mubasher Warraich is running for city council in the suburb of Euless (DFW metroplex).  He talks about bringing more of the technology industry to the city and his passion and focus on affordable childcare for working parents.  He talks about how South Asians could get much more involved in the political process and encourages others to run for office in the spirit of giving back to the community. 

You can learn more about him on his website.  

WiseUp TX is a nonpartisan nonprofit and does not endorse any candidate or political party. 

MJ Hegar is running for the United States Senate as the Democratic candidate against longtime incumbent, John Cornyn.  She has served our country as a combat veteran, she has worked in the healthcare industry, and she is a working mom. She talks about how all these experiences led her to run for office and how she thinks he can make life better for Texans!  

You can learn more about her on her website.  

WiseUp TX is a nonpartisan nonprofit and does not endorse any candidate or political party. 

Judge Staci Williams is running for TX Supreme Court as a democratic candidate.  This is a statewide race that will be on every ballot this November. Judge Williams currently serves as Judge of the 101st District Court in Dallas County. Judge Williams talks about the important decisions the Texas Supreme Court has made lately, and how she could serve Texans on our highest court after her years of experience as a trial Judge and a practicing attorney.  As a woman of color, Judge Williams believes it is time the Texas Supreme Court reflect the diversity of the State of Texas.  

You can learn more about here on her website.  

WiseUp TX is a nonpartisan nonprofit and does not endorse any candidate or political party.  

Current Harris County Clerk, Chris Hollins, talks about safe and accessible voting this election seasons.  Harris County is the 3rd largest county in the nation, and in his role, Hollins manages the election and protects voting rights, a role he does not take lightly.  Listen to hear about unique things Harris County (Houston area) has done from increased polling locations,  infrastructure around mail-in ballots, language access technology, and social distancing!  Some of the initiatives are being questioned by the State of Texas, resulting in a lawsuit.  

Learn more about voting in Harris County and about Chris here.  

WiseUp TX is a nonpartisan nonprofit and does not endorse any candidate or lawsuit. 

Travis Boldt is the Democratic candidate for Texas House of Representative for House District 29. He is challenging Republican incumbent Ed Thomson. House District 29 covers Pearland and suburbs southeast of Houston. A small business owner, husband to a public school educator, and father, Travis shares what inspired him to run for state house representative and the issues are front and center for his campaign.

You can learn more about him on his website.  

WiseUp TX is a non-partisan nonprofit and does not endorse any candidate or political party.