Brett Robinson
Democrat | Texas
Candidate Profile*
Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Brett Robinson
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 130
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Houston, Houston, Master of Public Administration, 2024
University of Houston, Houston, B.S. Political Science, 2022
Cypress Woods High School, Cypress, High School Diploma, 2018
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
UH Democrats, Vice President, Adrian Garcia Campaign
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Undergraduate at-Large Senator at UH, 2020-2021
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
ENDORSEMENTS*
LIBERAL (12)
Run for Something
Texas Democrats with Disabilities
Our Revolution Harris County
Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO
Secular Houston
OTHER (2)
Mothers Against Greg Abbott PAC
Candidates for Common Good
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (5)
ActBlue (2023)
Local, County, and District Democratic Organizations (2023)
Local, County, District, and State Democrat Women (2023)
Young Democrats of America (2023)
Association of Texas Professional Educators (2020)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
Candidate interview. Mothers for Democracy-Mothers Against Greg Abbott YouTube. 11 Jan 2024.
Candidate
completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024.
Q&A: Get to know the candidates running for Texas House District 130. Community Impact. 24 Sept 2024.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
I support Roe v. Wade, which is the right we had for fifty years. Under Roe v. Wade, abortion had little to no restrictions for the first trimester, some restrictions for the second trimester, and full restrictions on the third trimester except for if the life of the mother is in danger. My opponent co-authored the abortion ban in Texas, which provides no exception for rape or incest. Under this law, a 12-year-old that is raped by her uncle is forced to carry. We need to change that.
Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.
Neutral
If a drug is approved by the FDA, then it is already safe and there is no need to "gather evidence," which could be used to criminalize patients.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Disagree
Planned Parenthood does a lot more than abortions, and they serve a critical role in supporting couples and families.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Neutral
I struggle to form a strong opinion on this one. I believe people should be at peace when they die, and that they deserve dignity in death.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
This is not happening. We have the First Amendment right to freely worship, and the government has provided special protections to churches. These protections are important.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Agree
There was once a case that came before the Supreme Court where a baker argued that "Jesus would not bake the wedding cake" for a gay couple. Jesus died on the cross for sinners. Even if we assume being gay is a sin (which I believe it is not), Jesus loves all and would bake the cake. Your religion does not give you the right to be hateful or discriminate.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Did not answer
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
B
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Vaccines are how we have virtually eliminated polio and other diseases we do not hear about anymore. Vaccines should be required in environments where you could be around others, especially those who are immuno-compromised.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What is your position on the minimum wage?
The minimum wage has not been raised since 2009 and needs to be raised to a living wage. A full-time job at $7.25 an hour is about $15,000 a year. It is impossible to raise a family on that.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
Yes
ESGs are used by investors to measure a company's sustainability and ethical performance, and our representatives should absolutely take these into consideration. If investors use them, then we should too.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Disagree
My ancestors came to this country around 1845, during the Irish Potato Famine. At the time, Americans did not want my ancestors to come, so I have a problem with those who believe immigration makes us weaker. We need to invest in more judges and administrators that can address the backlog and get immigrants documented. It is evil to separate children from their families like the Trump administration did.
EDUCATION
The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child through programs which protect parents' freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.
Strongly Disagree
I strongly oppose vouchers because they defund our public schools. Kids in my district lost their bus service because Governor Abbott refuses to release $4 billion that has already been allocated by the Legislature. He is saving that money hoping vouchers pass, and now kids are walking dangerous roads with no crosswalks, no sidewalks, and ditches. Additionally, private schools are not required to have special ed programs, which I have a huge problem with. No child should be left behind.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Agree
I support our law enforcement, but just like how a firefighter is a better response to a fire, we must recognize the police are not always the best response. Police are often sent to respond to mental health crises, and we need to fund programs to send mental health professionals instead.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
First, we need to revoke permitless carry in Texas. Just like how you need a license to drive, I believe you need a license to prove you are competent in the use, storage, and safety of firearms. I am also in favor of red flag laws and background checks, which are reforms that prevent criminals from getting firearms.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
No
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No.
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
I support the Constitution and its preamble lays it out well. To form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty. This is the general purpose of government.
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Liberal
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Neutral
I believe children must be protected, which is why I am working to restore their bus service, unlike my opponent. Healthcare decisions should take into account the will of the child, parent, and doctor. The government should not play a role in healthcare decisions.
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Did not answer
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Did not answer
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Disagree
We have the First Amendment in this country, which provides for religious liberty. That means American citizens are not forced to subscribe to the beliefs of any religion, including Christianity. Two people who love each other and who want to get married should be permitted to.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe in the separation of church and state, but I can tell you that I accept and love Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Christians are Democrats too.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Did not answer
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Neutral
I believe in one person, one vote. No one's vote should matter more than another's.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Did not answer
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Did not answer
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Disagree
When I was in middle school, I wanted to play volleyball. But there was not a men's volleyball team, so I ended up never playing. I believe kids can play whatever sports they want. This means girls can play football, and boys can play volleyball. It is not the government's place to regulate co-ed sports.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? (Select all that apply) A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. D) Climate change is real and requires urgent policy action.
B and D. We all want to have clean air and water, and to leave the world better than we found it. We are failing to deliver on these ideals.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Did not answer
