Charles Thompson

Charles Thompson was born in Houston, Texas. He received a bachelor's degree from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2012 and a graduate degree from the University of Texas, Permian Basin, in 2018. Thompson's professional experience includes being an assistant principal for the Houston Independent School District. He has been affiliated with the Sunrise Movement and Stop TxDOT I-45.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Charles Thompson, and I am running to become the next representative for the 18th Congressional District of Texas. I am running as a true progressive who is dedicated to bringing real change to the district. I was born to multiethnic, working class family in the historically African American community of 3rd Ward in Houston, TX. My family has been deeply rooted in this city for three generations. Throughout my life, I witnessed the impact of racial, educational, and economic discrepancies as a child. I have continued to see the same issues in my beloved neighborhood, and other communities within the 18th district, worsen to what they are today. As a public school educator and community organizer, I fully support raising the minimum wage to $15/hour for all workers, Medicare for all, affordable housing, education reform, and environmental justice. I am running for Congress because I have seen those in my community remain stagnant in generational, economic, and educational poverty for nearly three decades under the incumbent's watch. I believe my personal experiences and unapologetically progressive platform makes me a great candidate to represent the people of Texas' 18th district.

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?

Progressive DemocratNew VisionReal Change

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Raising the minimum wage to $15/hour

Medicare for All

Housing Reform

Education Reform

Cancelling all student loan debt, reforming the student loan program, and supporting free college tuition for families making less than $125,000/year.

Environmental Justice(Green New Deal)

Criminal Justice Reform

Decreasing our military budget

LGBTQ Equality

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

An elected official must recognize the need to advocate for marginalized groups of people, prioritize the needs for the vast majority of the people living within their district, and support meaningful legislation that will invest in our nation's future and places people before corporation and special interest groups.

What legacy would you like to leave?

As the next representative of Texas' 18th district, I would like to be known for reducing the poverty rate within my district, which is currently at 27%. Making it one of the poorest congressional districts in Texas. In addition, to addressing poverty. I will ensure that all of my constituents have access to quality, affordable healthcare in form of Medicare for all. Finally, I would like for environmental justice to be apart of my legacy as well. As a member of Sunrise Movement, I recognize the need for environmental justice and eliminating environmental racism, which has impacted so many historically black and brown communities. I want my legacy to be someone who fought to hold corporations accountable through eliminating cancer clusters, increased access to quality and affordable healthcare, living wages, and investing in our nation's future.

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

Charles Thompson has been employed with the Houston Independent School District since 2013, and has worked in economically disadvantaged communities throughout his entire career in public education.

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

Anything by Beyonce!

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

The United State's greatest challenges as a nation would be it's failure to invest in future generations by adequately funding our education system, addressing student loan debt, investing in 21st century infrastructure(housing, mass transit, and broadband), and addressing climate change through the form of a Green New Deal. All three of these issues must serve as a top priority for our nation's future.

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

1. Education and Labor- As both an experienced public school educator and proud member of the Houston Teacher Federation, I understand the importance of investing in our education system and protecting working families.

2. Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies- Investing in our nation's 21st century transportation system and securing quality and affordable housing for everyone living is important, and as the next representative of Texas' 18th district, I will ensure that the people living in my district will have access to both efficient transportation and affordable housing.

3. Select committee on Climate Crisis- As a proud member of Sunrise Movement-Houston, I understand the importance of addressing climate change and environmental justice. I believe, environmental justice is racial justice, and we can't have one without the other. In addition, we will never be able to fully address the climate crisis, as long as we have members of Congress who accept generous campaign donations from the very same corporations and special interest groups that are directly opposed to the Green New Deal.

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

Mickey Leland was the second representative of Texas' 18th Congressional District, anti-poverty activist, and was considered to be a highly effective At-Large Majority Whip.

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-1548351761485-0"); });