As 2024 draws to a close, I’m reminded of why I love public service. Public service is about people — meeting needs, easing burdens, and creating opportunities. Every service event, meeting, and decision we make is rooted in the stories and challenges of the families and communities that make up Senate District 29.
This year has been particularly meaningful to me as a first-time father to my beautiful daughter, Amelia. Being a parent has deepened my commitment to building a brighter future for all families in our district.
At the heart of our mission is constituent casework, where we assist with a range of essential services including food stamps (SNAP), Medicaid, unemployment insurance, children’s health insurance, driver’s license and identification, elderly and aging services, and child and adult protective services, and more. In 2024, we successfully resolved over 265 constituent cases by cutting through state bureaucracy to ensure our community members receive the necessary resources from state agencies.
Complementing this work, our Mobile Office Hours program played a key role in bringing services directly to the community. Serving a large and diverse district means meeting people where they are, and this year, we dedicated over 400 hours traveling across the district, with a particular focus on rural areas. By bringing services to residents’ doorsteps, these visits help break down barriers, build trust, and ensure that every voice in the district has the chance to be heard.
Throughout the year, our office hosted over 350 service events, outreach initiatives, town halls, and meetings with community members — each a commitment to delivering unique community services and support to residents in need.
One of these service events was our inaugural State Resource Fair in Fort Stockton, designed to bring state government directly to Far West Texas. This fair provided an opportunity for the community to connect with experts from state agencies, offering assistance with healthcare, education, business development, and other essential services. It demonstrated the meaningful information and resources state agencies can provide in addressing the unique challenges faced by rural communities.
For many families, the start of the school year brings a heavy financial burden. The long list and cost of essential back-to-school items can quickly add up, causing stress and anxiety, especially with rising living costs and school expenses. To help relieve the financial burden of back-to-school costs, our office was proud to host our 10th Annual Backpack Giveaway, where we gave out 1,650 free backpacks to students across Senate District 29, including Marfa ISD. Each backpack carried not only school supplies but also the promise of a successful year and a brighter future for every young mind it supported.
Additionally, in recognizing the vulnerable health risks posed by rising summer temperatures for vulnerable seniors on a fixed income, our office hosted our 4th Annual “Beat the Heat” Senior Box Fan giveaway where we delivered 133 box fans to economically disadvantaged seniors, including those in Presidio.
During the holiday season, many families face financial strain. To alleviate some of this stress, we held our 10th Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Drive and Toys for Tots Drive, distributing 250 turkeys, over 10,840 pounds of food and 575 toys to children, at each respective event.
Beyond tangible assistance, our office focused on empowerment and opportunity. We helped 90 residents on their path to citizenship, connected 192 veterans with jobs, and celebrated 12,249 milestones through certificates, resolutions, and honorariums.
As we prepare for the 89th Legislative Session, these conversations and experiences will inform the priorities we take to the Capitol. Together, we’ll work to address the challenges our communities face and continue to build a future that reflects the strength and values of our community.
Now that we prepare to turn the page to 2025, I want to thank you for the trust you place in me to serve you. This work is a privilege and an honor, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to represent our community.
On behalf of my wife, Lili, my daughter, Amelia, and our pups, Lulu and Skipper, we wish you a Merry Christmas, a joyful holiday season, and a prosperous new year filled with hope, collaboration and progress.