

Afshi Charania
Non-Partisan | Texas
Candidate Profile
Leans Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Afshi Charania
Party
Non-Partisan
Election Year
2025
Election
May Uniform
Race
Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees, Position 3
Incumbent
No
EDUCATION
University of Texas, Austin, Bachelors in Business, 1998
University of Houston, Houston, Masters in Business, 2004
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Children's Advocacy Center Child Advocates of Fort Bend, Advisory Council Member, Parks Youth Ranch
Board Member, Fort Bend ISD Interfaith Community, Representative Member
City of Sugar Land Census Complete Committee, Committee Member, Fort Bend ISD Academic Advisory Committee
Committee Member, Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce
Fort Bend ISD Facilities Steering Committee, Committee Member, Telfair Community Association
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustee Position 3, 2019
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
None
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Salman Bhojani (2022)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
SELECTED FINANCIAL SOURCE DOCUMENTS
Campaign Finance Report - 30th day before election (01/07/2025 - 03/31/2025) from Fort Bend ISD
Selected contributions/expenditures:
- $1,000.00 contribution from Sharmeen Merchant
- $2,500.00 contribution from Amir and Samina Zindani
- $1,000.00 contribution from Galaxy Payment Systems, LLC
- $1,000.00 contribution from Mohsin Khoja
- $2,000.00 contribution from White Feathers Management Consulting, LLC
- $5,000.00 contribution from Asha and Farid Virani (founders of The Faris Foundation)
- $2,500.00 contribution from Shoukat Maredia
- $1,000.00 contribution from Barkat Ali and Shamim Karedia
- $1,000.00 contribution from Elan RGV Wireless - Alym Lakhani
- $1,000.00 contribution from Azhar Hirani and Allauddin Hirani
- $2,000.00 in contributions from Iqbal & Munira Ali
- $1,000.00 contribution from Mohammed & Amreen Ali
- $2,000.00 contribution from Saba Pardhan & Farhaz Jassani
- $1,000.00 contribution from Nahid and Karim Panjwani
- $1,000.00 contribution from Anjali and Jason Gilette (Founder & Managing Partner of The Gillette Law Firm)
- $1,000.00 contribution from Akbar A Poonawala
Please note: This information was received by iVoterGuide after panel evaluations occurred and is for educational purposes only.
Campaign Finance Report - 8th day before election (04/01/2025 - 04/24/2025) from Fort Bend ISD
Please note: This information was received by iVoterGuide after panel evaluations occurred and is for educational purposes only.
OTHER INFORMATION
Afshi Charania is Angie Wierzbicki's (Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees, Position 7 candidate)
campaign treasurer
Please note: This information was received by iVoterGuide after panel evaluations occurred and is for educational purposes only.
Candidate participated in DISHA USA's FBISD Candidate Forum (03/22/2025)
Please note: This information was received by iVoterGuide after panel evaluations occurred and is for educational purposes only.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Neutral
This is a deeply personal and complex issue with diverse perspectives. Policies regarding the legal protection of life should consider medical, ethical, and individual rights while ensuring access to comprehensive healthcare and support for families. It is important to foster dialogue and policies that reflect both compassion and the needs of the mother, the baby and the family.
What role should the school serve in helping a student with an unwanted or crisis pregnancy?
Schools should provide a supportive and nonjudgmental environment for students facing an unwanted or crisis pregnancy. This includes access to counseling services, referrals to healthcare and community resources, and accommodations to ensure the student can continue their education without stigma or barriers. Schools should focus on education, emotional support, and connecting students with the resources they need to make informed decisions about their health and future.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Teachers should be required to refer to students by pronouns which are misaligned with their gender at birth even if it would violate the teacher's moral and/or religious beliefs.
Neutral
This is a complex issue that requires balancing respect for students' identities with teachers' personal beliefs. Schools should foster an inclusive and respectful environment for all students while also providing guidance and support for teachers. Open dialogue and clear policies can help navigate these situations in a way that prioritizes student well-being and a positive learning environment.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Neutral
While I support free enterprise and the right to private property are they are essential to encourage economic growth, they should also be balanced with regulations to ensure fairness, opportunity, and social responsibility.
What is your position on government funding of public education from Pre-K through college?
I support government funding of public education from Pre-K through college to ensure equitable access to quality education for all students. Early childhood education sets a strong foundation for lifelong learning, and affordable higher education expands opportunities and strengthens the workforce.
EDUCATION
Abortion and gender-affirming providers, including Planned Parenthood, should be a resource for instruction or services in the school.
Neutral
Schools should provide students with accurate, comprehensive health education and access to resources that support their mental and physical well-being. While external providers like Planned Parenthood offer expertise in reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare, any collaboration should be transparent, age-appropriate, and involve parental awareness. Schools should focus on providing students with factual information while respecting diverse community values.
Consistent discipline creates a safe and orderly environment, which is essential for student learning.
Agree
Consistent discipline is important for maintaining a safe, respectful, and effective learning environment. Clear expectations and fair enforcement help foster student accountability and a positive school culture.
Do you believe print and digital material available or presented to students should be easily accessible for public review, including those without children enrolled in school?
Yes
Transparency in educational materials is important. Parents and the public should have reasonable access to review print and digital content used in schools. However, this should be balanced with professional educator discretion and policies that protect academic integrity and diverse perspectives in education.
Educators should give students a thorough education in America's founding documents and cultivate American patriotism.
Agree
Students should receive a thorough education on America's founding documents to understand the nation's history, principles, and governance. Encouraging civic engagement and critical thinking about these documents can help foster informed citizenship while allowing space for diverse perspectives on patriotism.
I support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
Agree
I support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as it promotes a fair and inclusive learning environment where all students have the opportunity to succeed. Embracing diverse perspectives and ensuring equitable access to resources strengthens communities and prepares students for a diverse society.
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Neutral
I believe education policy should balance local control with federal support. A collaborative approach can help maintain high standards while addressing local priorities.
Please list in order the following priorities in relation to the role of a K-12 public school (omitting any that do not apply): American History, Art & Music, Civics, Critical Race Theory, Foreign Language, Gender Identity, Information Technology, Language Arts, Mathematics, Personal Finances, Physical Fitness, Political Activism, Science, Sexuality, Social Emotional Learning, Vocational Learning
Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, American History, Foreign Language, Civics, Physical Fitness, Personal Finances Social Emotional Learning, Vocational Learning, Political Activism, Art & Music, Information Technology, Vocatioinal Learning Foreign Language, Information Technology, Social Emotional Learning, Vocational Learning, Language Arts,
The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child instead of the bureaucracy, through a program which allows parents the freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.
Agree
Firstly the State should FULLY fund public schools While school choice can provide families with more educational options, it is important to ensure that public funds support quality education for all students. This can only happen if the State funds the school district. Policies should prioritize accountability and equity to address the needs of the underserved communities.
Which should students have: equity of outcomes or equality of opportunities?
Students should have equality of opportunities, ensuring access to quality education, resources, and support regardless of their background. While outcomes may vary, providing every student with the tools they need to succeed fosters fairness and individual achievement.
Which type of written parental consent should be obtained before students are taught courses such as Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE)? (A) Opt-In. (B) Opt-Out. (C) None.
Opt In
2ND AMENDMENT
Faculty who are licensed to carry and have had ongoing training should be allowed to carry guns at school in order to respond to an active shooter situation.
Neutral
The safety of students and staff is a top priority so the idea of faculty being able to respond in an emergency is understandable, it is very important to carefully consider the potential risks and benefits of arming faculty. Allowing faculty to carry guns in schools should require mandatory and thorough training, clear policies, and a strong oversight to ensure that it doesn’t create additional safety concerns where so many youth are in one place. It is better to have increased paid security.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
In the event of a pandemic, school districts can mandate whatever health precautions they deem necessary (including masks and vaccines) to protect students and staff.
Neutral
In the event of a pandemic, to ensure the safety of students and staff alike, school districts should be able to implement health measures they consider necessary for the protection of the greater good.
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
Did not answer
I would have to pull my voting record to accurately state which elections I have voted in.
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?
Moderate
I hold more of a centrist views, which often means finding a happy medium between different ideologies. I prefer to use the teachings of my faith and prioritize practical solutions and be as open minded and inclusive of people's differences.
VALUES
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
My spiritual beliefs and values emphasize respect, compassion, integrity, and the importance of treating others with kindness. I believe in fostering a sense of community, understanding diverse perspectives, and upholding ethical principles dictated by fait to guide my actions and decisions.
Who is responsible for teaching sexual education to children, and what is the appropriate age when it should be taught?
Parents of the child should be the primary educators for their children on sexual education, with schools providing age-appropriate, fact-based instruction to support the child's learning. Education should startwith basic health and anatomy concepts in the early grades and then gradually expand to include topics like relationships, consent, and reproductive health in the later years, ensuring students have accurate information to make informed decisions.
If you support the teaching of Sex Ed, please answer the following question: Sexual education should include these topics (list all that apply and add your own, if needed) -- abortion methods and side effects; abstinence; consent; contraceptive methods; human anatomy/the reproductive system; physical and emotional health outcomes; sex acts and pleasures of sex; sexual orientation and gender identity; stages of pregnancy and fetal development
Sex education should include: - Human anatomy/the reproductive system - Abstinence - Consent - Contraceptive methods - Physical and emotional health outcomes - Stages of pregnancy and fetal development Instruction should be age-appropriate, medically factual, and focused on helping students make informed and responsible decisions about their health and relationships.
Children have a right to reach maturity without chemical or surgical castration, which would damage their healthy bodies through surgeries and may cause infertility and a life-long dependence on cross-sex hormones.
Neutral
his is a complex and deeply personal issue that involves medical, ethical, and parental considerations. Such decisions regarding minors should be made with the guidance of the parents, medical professionals, and mental health experts. This is to ensure that the well-being of the child is the top priority. It is essential to provide compassionate, evidence-based care that supports the physical and mental health of all children.
Children have the right to be protected from hypersexualization (including drag shows and explicit materials) in schools and libraries.
Agree
Children should have access to age-appropriate educational materials in schools and libraries. Parents and educators play a key role in providing content that aligns with the child's developmental readiness while ensuring the education remains inclusive.
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman essential to the formation and sustaining of a civil and prosperous society.
Neutral
Marriage is a deeply personal and cultural institution that holds different meanings for different people. While many view it as a sacred and traditional union, others recognize diverse forms of marriage that contribute to strong and stable communities. Each faith teaches us to respect individual beliefs without passing judgement. Judgement is only that of our Maker.
Parents have the fundamental right to raise their child in accordance with their beliefs and values, including the right to make decisions about the child's education and healthcare.
Agree
Parents play a vital role in raising their children and have the right to make decisions about their child's education and healthcare. These rights should also be balanced with ensuring that our children receive quality education and the necessary medical care to support their well-being and future success.
Parents should have full and timely access to any and all records, including school and medical records, associated with their minor children.
Agree
Parents should have access to their child's school and medical records to stay informed and involved in their well-being. Open communication between parents, educators, and healthcare providers is key to supporting a child’s development.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Neutral
Voting is a fundamental right, and ensuring election security while maintaining accessibility is important. While photo ID requirements can help prevent fraud, it is also important to ensure that ALL eligible voters have reasonable access and are provided with monetary means, if needed, to obtain their identification and cast their ballots without unnecessary barriers.
EQUALITY
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports.
Neutral
The issue of sports participation involves fairness, inclusion, and competitive integrity. Policies should consider biological differences while also ensuring that all athletes are treated with respect and have opportunities to compete.
Biological males should not be allowed to occupy women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, women's shelters, prisons, or sororities.
Neutral
This is a sensitive issue that involves balancing the rights and safety of all individuals. Policies should be designed to ensure respect, privacy, and safety for everyone, while considering the rights of transgender individuals to access spaces that align with their gender identity. Again this goes back to the values of our faith of inclusion and being nonjudgemental.
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