Carlos Quintanilla

Carlos Quintanilla was born in Chicago, Illinois. Quintanilla's career experience includes owning a business.[1] He has been affiliated with Activista Legal and has served as the president of Accion America.[1][2]

Carlos Quintanilla did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Carlos Quintanilla did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Quintanilla’s campaign website stated the following:

Workforce

Residents of the 33rd congressional district of Texas are hard working people who deserve support from their government to achieve our constitutional right to pursue happiness. Workplace fulfillment is an essential piece of a pursuit of happiness. Carlos is dedicated to funding job training and continuing education for the district so that every person who wants to improve their quality of life is able to, and anyone struggling to find their place in the workforce is able to. This will not only increase economic development in our communities, it will also reduce crime.

Small Businesses

The backbone of our economy is small businesses. As a small business owner Carlos understands the need for government to support an economic environment that allows small businesses to flourish. When elected, Carlos will fight for federal economic development funds and tax credits to be directed into the district to help more residents of the 33rd congressional district reach the American dream of being business owners and providing quality jobs within their community.

Enterprise Business

Big business and jobs are coming to North Texas at an astounding rate, but the 33rd congressional district has been largely overlooked. Carlos is dedicated to working with major companies and local municipalities to ensure that the district participates in the growth happening throughout the region, bringing with it higher paying jobs, and an increase to the local tax base; which can be used to support schools and infrastructure improvements.

Veterans

Our brave military personnel deserve better care and more funding for preparedness to return to civilian life, which is why Carlos will advocate to increase educational opportunities for our veterans and increase funding for veterans to start small businesses in their communities.

Medicare for all

Healthcare is a human right. Equitable access to healthcare, specifically preventative care is essential to providing every citizen a decent quality of life. Being sick is expensive,both to the individual and the community-at-large. Carlos supports a national healthcare system that supplements the current healthcare industry, to ensure that no US citizens is burdened with the costs of healthcare and job loss related to illness.

Reproductive rights

As a man of religious conviction Carlos believes in the sanctity of life, but he also believes in the autonomy of the individual. Carlos believes that the choices a woman makes about her own body,with counsel from her doctor, are private and should not be subject to government intervention. As a first-time father at 16, Carlos was introduced to the reality of how our country lacks comprehensive family planning for all people of reproductive age, which is why he will advocate for increasing access to sex education, birth control and health screenings.[7]

—Carlos Quintanilla’s campaign website (2024)[8]

Carlos Quintanilla did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am an Activist who has been the lead voice on many issues facing residents of the 33rd Congressional District. I led the campaign to save the lives of thousand of Children who were addicted to the killer drug Cheese Heroin. I led the fight to stop Farmers Branch the Anti Immigrant Housing Ordinance proposed by then Mayor Tim O'Hare leading to a successful rejection by the United States Supreme Court. I introduced Breakfast in The Classroom Program that now feeds Children daily in schools throughout the 33rd Congressional District. I am a fighter and will continue to be an Activist Congressman in Washington DC.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I will fight for you in Washington as I have done on many issues affecting you and your family here in Texas.I will not vote with Republican leadership on issues that severely affect you. Research the Voting Record of our current Congressman.I will not take campaign comtributions from special interest, influence peddlers and self interest contribuyors like our current Congressman.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Immigration

Health Care

Education

Employment and Training

Access to Capital for Small Business, Business Development

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to the hard working Inmigrant families who have come to America looking for a better life and who through their tenacity and their hope have become great business owners, community builders, respectful residents of their communities and the future of this country.

I look up to the African American Women who have become inspiring political leaders, judges, national leaders and great examples of what women can be and what Women can achieve.

I look up to individuals who have rebounded from the hardships of life and who become viable and productive residents and citizens of this amazing country.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

NO

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Determination, Resonsibility and Commitment.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Leadership

Organizing skills

Public Speaking

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To represent the best interest of the people in its Congressional District

What legacy would you like to leave?

That through my work and Activism which has been extensive and well documented, I have made life better for many people.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Hearing about the Murder of Martin Luther King and seeing the black smoke of burning buildings coming from Madison Street from the outrage and anger of the Black community of Chicago. I was 11 years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Chef Trainee - Marriot Hotel

2 years

Job Developer - SER Jobs For Progress

2 years

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Volver a Creer by JOSE JOSE AND YANNI.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

my past, growing up in the street gangs of Chicago, a criminal conviction and dedicating your life advocating for your community rather than becoming a millionaire. Convincing people to believe in second chances.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

It is the house of the people.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

NO.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

The hate and racism and the current political climate that exists here in america,Today

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Yes. I would like to be on the Appropriations Commitee, Education and Labor Commitee, Small Business Commitee and Homeland Security.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

YES

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I support term limits. Not sure what the right number of years would be.

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

no

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

NONE. I would like to be my own person

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I have heard so many stories that there are too long to list.

The following goals were listed on Quintanilla's campaign website. For a full list of campaign themes, click here.

To establish a Vocational Training Program in Oak Cliff.

To establish a Vocational Training Program in Fort Worth.

To build a state of the art Senior Citizens Center in Oak Cliff.

To create a Small Business Loan Program with the interest waived from federal, state and city deposits at a rate of 1 to 3%, five year term up to $25,000.

To support and expand drug rehab programs.

[7]

—Carlos Quintanilla's campaign website, http://quintanilla2016.com/issues/

Quintanilla's campaign website listed the following issues:[9]

Jobs

Excerpt: "Carlos Quintanilla supports a Comprehensive effort to create jobs, by investing in infrastructure, creating a Summer Jobs Program, Investing in Schools and in Teachers, Building New Roads, Providing Tax Breaks to Small Businesses, and Making Available Small Business Loans to those Businesses that will help create JOBS."

Healthcare

Excerpt: "Americans need Comprehensive Medical Coverage, one out of five Texans are without Healthcare. We need to make sure that all Texans have access to quality health care"

Energy

Excerpt: "Energy exploration must be done responsibly and in an efficient manner, simply because we need gas and fuel, we should not give carte blanche to big oil companies like British Petroleum (BP) and Exxon Oil. Big oil and big energy companies must know that I am on the side of alternative fuel development, conserving our eco systems, protecting the way of life of fisherman and promoting Gulf tourism."

Immigration Reform

Excerpt: "Carlos Quintanilla supports Comprehensive Immigration Reform, with a path to Citizenship, which will include a fine, a thorough criminal background check and assurances that Immigrants will continue to be productive Citizens of the United States, with a caveat that they would be ineligible for government subsidies and or welfare programs."

Crime

Excerpt: "Carlos Quintanilla was active, engaged, and passionate about fighting the biggest drug epidemic to hit Texas, and in particular many areas within the 33rd Congressional District, that caused the death of more than 30 young teenagers and the addiction of thousands of young Children, to this killer drug that Children labeled Cheese Heroin."