JJ Dominguez

JJ Dominguez graduated from Normal Community High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1992 and a graduate degree from the University of Illinois in 1997. Her career experience includes working as a social worker.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Jennifer “JJ” Dominguez, is the current Wilson County Democratic Party Chairwoman. By profession, she is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and currently provides therapy to immigrants seeking refuge in this great country. She transplanted from Illinois 20 years ago and has been a resident of the small rural community of Floresville, Texas ever since. She has been married to her husband, a 1st generation son of a Mexican immigrant, for 17 years. Together, they raised their interracial and biracial family through the guidance of their faith and loyalty to their strong sense of community and dedication to the greater well-being of those around them. Their 4 adult children have embodied this strong sense of responsibility and duty in their lives as an active duty Navy Seabee, an Army Veteran, an Engineer in the auto industry and an Activities Director for a skilled nursing facility.

JJ's passion for politics began her senior year in high school when the government teacher encouraged her to graduate early to enroll in the governmental internship program in the State Capital of Springfield. Through his encouragement, she became a Page in the Illinois Senate. After graduating with her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois and becoming a foster parent, for the next 28 years, she provided services through direct practice, community organizing, education and advocacy, but now it's time for her to focus on political action and policy development.

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?

JJ’s mother was a dedicated elementary school teacher for 27 years and was JJ’s 1st grade teacher in the small rural town she was raised in. JJ’s 4 children attended Floresville public schools and benefited from the tailored services ranging from the Gifted & Talented program to special support services for dyslexia. JJ fully supports increasing public school funding, increasing educator pay/benefits, repealing private school vouchers and improving working conditions. TX consistently ranks among the bottom 10 states nationally for state spending on education. Despite the pay raise system passed in HB 2, teacher pay lags the national average and should be indexed for inflation. Retired teachers should receive regular COLA adjustmentsFor 14 years, JJ was a Social Worker at a dialysis clinic in rural TX. She fought daily to assist her patients in obtaining health insurance to provide for this life-sustaining treatment. She saw first hand the struggles and emotional toll that patients faced when choosing between paying their medical bills and covering their daily expenses. Universal Healthcare is a fundamental human right. It should be affordable, high quality and publicly funded. There are over 5 million uninsured Texans and recent federal cuts are projected to further impact Medicaid and impose new barriers to care. In the rural area, clinics and hospitals are closing because of these cuts, further increasing the disparities for marginalized and underserved populationsRaising the minimum wage in Texas to $15/hour indexed for inflation would offer significant benefits to workers, communities and the broader state economy. Low-wage workers struggle to meet basic needs like childcare, housing, food and other necessities. Employers in Texas who voluntarily pay higher wages often find that it attracts and retains workers, leading to better employee morale and reduced turnover. Increased wages for low-wage workers boosts consumer spending, which can stimulate local economies. Raising the minimum wage will narrow wage gaps based on gender and race/ethnicity, as women and people of color are disproportionately represented in low-wage jobs.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, JJ is personally passionate about mental health reform. Texas faces a widespread and severe shortage of mental health professionals, affecting 97% of the counties. Texas is ranked the worst state for mental health care, especially in rural areas. There are significant care gaps, long wait times, and high rates of untreated mental illness. Mental health reform would include greater utilization of translation services, free mental health services including access to Psychiatrists for medication management available to all Texans through a statewide treatment network. Providers will be cultivated through an educational loan forgiveness program, competitive wages and expanded telehealth.

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

An elected official must demonstrate integrity by being honest, transparent, and ethical in all their actions. By doing so, they build public trust and ensure their decisions serve the best interests of their constituents, not their own private gain or special interests. Public service is a public trust, and acting with integrity means putting the loyalty to citizens and ethical principles above personal advantage. This kind of principled behavior is a foundational element for legitimate and credible government

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

The core responsibility to public service means an elected official prioritizes understanding and addressing the needs of all constituents. This involves working diligently to serve the community, making decisions that genuinely improve their collective well-being, and demonstrating a dedication to the common good.

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

The day after my 16th birthday, I was in French class and the teacher had set-up the television for us to watch the live televised launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger. I was particularly interested in the launch because Christa McAuliffe was a social studies teacher and had been selected by NASA from over 11,000 applicants to become the first civilian to fly in space as part of the "Teacher in Space" project. Social Studies was my favorite subject and I was inspired that they had selected a woman for this great honor. As I watched with great anticipation and elation, those feelings quickly turned to horror and disbelief when 73 seconds later my classmates and I sat in stunned silence when the Space Shuttle disintegrated before our eyes.

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

My first job was detasseling corn. Considered a midwestern rite of passage, it was a physically demanding and monotonous job defined by the extreme summer heat and difficult field conditions. I worked long hours, rain or shine, walking for miles through towering cornfields while reaching for tassels that were often over my head. The early mornings were typically wet with dew, soaking my clothes and creating muddy, difficult-to-navigate terrain, while the afternoons brought sweltering, humid heat that caused dehydration and heat exhaustion. The detasseling season ran from the 2nd week of July to Mid-August.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Pam Jenoff's historical fiction novel, Code Name Sapphire. The book explores themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the often-overlooked contributions of women in the World War II. The story takes place in Belgium and is inspired by true resistance stories. The narrative follows the challenges of three brave women as they demonstrate courage and how ordinary individuals can face extraordinary challenges. female bravery in . T, including a Jewish refugee, as they join a resistance network and attempt to free prisoners en route to Auschwitz, highlighting the high personal costs and risks associated with their heroic actions.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

The ideal relationship between a governor and the state legislature is a partnership built on cooperation and accountability. While the governor leads the state and proposes new ideas, the legislature, which represents the public, passes laws and controls the state's money. This setup ensures that no single person or group has too much power, as each branch has ways to check the other.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Over the next decade, Texas will be forced to deal with rampant poverty, low wages, broken schools, underfunded hospitals, crumbling infrastructure and attacks on civil rights. It's important to remember that Republicans have been in charge for 30 years and these issues are the result of their bad policies not bad luck.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

There are benefits for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics but it's not predictive of how a candidate will ultimately succeed in the position. There certainly is a steep learning curve related to campaigning and fundraising that an experienced candidate can more easily overcome. Through hard work and dedication to meeting constituents, newer candidates can demonstrate the empathy and motivation to support and represent those who may have felt undervalued and overlooked by an incumbent whom they may perceive as not needing to spend as much time on the ground diving into relevant issues.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Effective leaders recognize that collaborating with diverse individuals, even those with differing viewpoints, is crucial for progress. They possess the ability to build coalitions, compromising strategically when necessary, to unite people and inspire collective action towards common goals. This approach fosters a culture of trust and shared purpose, essential for navigating complex challenges and achieving successful outcomes.

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

While deciding to run for the Texas Legislature, I spent many hours watching floor debates and committee meetings. Each time I watched, I gravitated toward the genuineness and thoughtfulness of Representative Vikki Goodwin. She has demonstrated the compassion, knowledge and professionalism that I hope to emulate. Our paths have crossed several times and each time I recognize more traits that inspire and motivate me to enter this race. I am proud to call her my mentor and look forward to continuing to learn from her in the future.

Both sitting legislators 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?

Texans shouldn't have to set up GoFundMe accounts to be able to afford necessary medical treatment. Recently a Wilson County rural mail carrier was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and now he's faced with endless rounds of medical appointments, chemotherapy, transportation costs to the medical center in northern San Antonio and high co-pays. He has worked all of his life and has health coverage, but is still faced with choosing between life-saving treatments and paying other household necessities. Universal Healthcare for all would provide the necessary treatment he needs without compromising his dignity and ability to live comfortably while facing these severe concerns

Would a state ballot initiative process be good or bad for your state?

A statewide ballot initiative process in Texas would strengthen democracy by empowering citizens to directly propose and pass legislation, bypassing potential inaction by elected representatives. This mechanism could allow voters to advance popular policies, such as minimum wage increases or social reforms, that may be stalled in the legislature. By giving citizens a direct say on policy issues it could increase overall voter engagement and potentially lead to a wider range of policy options being considered.

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

During the summer of 2022, I began block walking in Wilson County. During my door-to-door efforts, I met several people who were encouraged and motivated to support the Democratic Party but didn't know how to get involved. After a disappointing election turnout in November 2022, I decided I could no longer sit by and wait for someone else to organize and revitalize the rural Democratic Party. I immediately began contacting and scheduling speakers, candidates and civic leaders to come to a monthly gathering of Wilson County Democrats. I also started investigating the foundational deficits in the local party structure. Over the following year, I researched, networked and advocated for the reorganization of the county party and eventually ran for County Chair. In March 2024, I was elected the County Chair with 80% of the vote. Through my efforts, I have recruited Precinct Chairs, increased membership over 1000%, initiated a sustaining donor campaign, increased party visibility at community events, educated the public through letters to the editor and continue to bring in monthly speakers. In June 2024, I organized delegates to attend the State Democratic Convention for the first time since 2008.

What legislation would you enact related to election administration in your state?

Countywide voting should be implemented in Texas. The three main advantages include: increased voter convenience, potential cost savings for election administration, and better handling of emergency situations. The primary benefit for voters is the enhanced convenience and flexibility on Election Day. The countywide system allows voters to choose the most accessible polling location for their schedule, such as near their home or workplace, which is particularly useful for commuters. This system also eliminates voter confusion by removing the need for voters to find a single, specific precinct polling place, reducing the number of voters who might otherwise go to the wrong location. Furthermore, in the event of emergencies, such as power outages or natural disasters, voters are not limited to a single affected precinct and can instead use any other open vote center within the county to cast their ballot. For election administrators and counties, the program offers significant logistical and financial benefits. Counties can reduce election-related costs by consolidating staff, equipment, and resources into fewer, strategically located vote centers. This resource consolidation can lead to smoother elections and increased efficiency. Countywide voting is particularly beneficial for rural counties that cover large geographical regions by streamlining their election process.