Jeff Chavez

Jeff Chavez earned a high school diploma from Palestine High School and a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2013. Chavez's career experience includes working in journalism and as a public school teacher.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am ready to fight for a fair shot for every East Texas family.

As a Democrat, I stand in the tradition of great leaders like FDR, JFK, and MLK. I am taking a stand against the current political climate because I believe I am part of that dream and belief—a belief that America's promise must extend to all of us.

My family has been rooted in Texas since before statehood and in East Texas since the mid-60s. My heritage is defined by service: I am the son of a Vietnam Veteran, a USAF Captain, and the grandson of a WWII Merchant Marine, giving me a profound appreciation for duty.

I come to this race with real-world experience, not just political talking points. After earning my Bachelor of Arts degree from UT Dallas, I worked as an East Texas news reporter. That experience showed me the heartbreaking truth: it’s simply unfair how the poor and marginalized struggle compared to the well-connected and wealthy. I then spent three years as a public educator in our schools and saw firsthand how the voucher program is hurting public schools by diverting vital funding.

I want to be the voice against all discrimination—against race, sex, gender, the poor, and the marginalized. We have to fight together, ALL of us, to secure true economic equality and civil rights for every person in District 8. A better life isn't a privilege—it's the standard we must demand.

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?

Education—The Foundation of Our Future

In District 8, that battle begins and ends in our classrooms.

I didn’t learn about school vouchers from a political pamphlet; I learned about them while standing in an East Texas classroom. As a public educator for three years, I felt the "voucher scam" not as a theoretical debate, but as a direct assault on the resources our children need to thrive. This false "school choice" must be reversed.A Standard of Equality for All -I am running to be a voice against all forms of discrimination—against race, sex, gender, the poor, and the marginalized. This is not just a political stance for me; it is a moral mandate. I stand firmly in the tradition of great leaders like FDR, JFK, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who believed that a society is judged by how it treats those in the shadows. I am taking a stand against the current political climate because I believe I am part of that dream and belief—a belief that America's promise must extend to all of us, not just the privileged few. I want to build the Democratic Party and restore balance to Texas.The Fight for Equality in District 8

Every family in East Texas deserves a fair shot. For too long, state government has favored the wealthy and well-connected while rural communities like ours are left behind. My commitment to public service is rooted in the fight for equality—economic, educational, and social—because dignity should be a birthright for every resident of District 8.

A Voice for Civil Rights and Justice

Equality begins with protecting our fundamental freedoms. No Texan should ever be treated as a second-class citizen because of race, gender, income, or veteran status.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Protect East Texas Water and Resources - Here is my plan to protect our water:

Stop the Drain: I will fight the permits that let these big companies take our water for their profit.

Listen to Local Experts: I will bring together and listen to our local landowners, farmers, and independent water scientists, and work on a plan.

End the loopholes of the dated "Rule of Capture" law and replace it with laws that protect East Texas landowners, to make sure East Texas waters stay in East Texas.