Montserrat Garibay

Montserrat Garibay graduated from Anderson High School. She earned a bachelor's and graduate degree from the University of Texas, Austin. Her career experience includes working as an educational consultant.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I'm a former bilingual pre-K teacher, labor leader, DREAMer, lifelong Austinite, and fighter with 25 years of leadership standing up for Austin's values. I came to this country as a little girl with my mom and my sister, undocumented and not speaking a word of English. My mom worked three jobs and told us that education was the one thing no one could ever take away from us. That belief shaped my life. I graduated from Austin public schools, did my basics at ACC, and completed both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Texas. I became a bilingual pre-K teacher in Austin ISD and spent 8 years in the classroom. I became Vice President of Education Austin, was the first Latina elected as Secretary-Treasurer of the Texas AFL-CIO, and served in the Biden-Harris administration as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Department of Education, where I worked to expand opportunities for over 5 million students nationwide and secure student loan forgiveness for 1 million public servants. Now, I am running for Texas House District 49 to ensure that every child learns in a fully funded school, every worker earns a fair wage, and every family has the opportunity to thrive.

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?

What makes me unique in this race is my deep local, state, and national experience in education policy, combined with 25-years of proven leadership and organizing experience. With Reps. Gina Hinojosa and James Talarico running for higher office, Austin’s public schools need a proven champion at the Texas Capitol. Additionally, politics as usual won’t meet this moment. As a long-time organizer with strong roots in our community, I’m committed to bringing more people to the table and ensuring our community has a real voice in the legislative process. Last, I am proud to be the labor candidate in this race, to also be endorsed by local and state teachers’ unions, and have the support of many of Austin’s progressive leaders.In 2011 the Legislature cut funding for full day pre-K. I was still teaching and could not imagine larger class sizes or letting key opportunities fade away for our youngest learners. I called Education Austin, the local teacher’s union, and asked what was being done about it–the response: what are you ready to do? We organized parents, teachers, and professors; met with school board members and spoke out at Austin ISD meetings; and raised community awareness. In the end, when the State Legislature failed our children, Austin’s school board stepped up and funded the entirety of the full day pre-K program. That experience transformed my life and taught me the power of collective action and community. I carry those lessons to this day.Labor Unions: Texas AFL-CIO, Austin Central Labor Council, AFSCME Local 1624, CWA District 6, Texas Building Trades Council, Texas State Employees Union, Unite Here, and United Workers of Integral Care.

Teachers Unions: Texas AFT, Texas State Teachers Association, Education Austin

Democratic orgs: Annie’s List, Texas Progressive Caucus, Capital Area Progressive Democrats, Equity Action.

Individuals: former Sec. of Education Miguel Cardona; Cong. Greg Casar; Cong. Marc Veasey; former State Sen. Wendy Davis; State Reps. Mary Gonzalez and John Bucy; former State Reps. Glen Maxey and Diana Maldonado; Austin City Council Members Jose Velasquez, Chito Vela, and Mike Siegel; and the majority of the Austin ISD School Board.

Full list on web.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

My top priorities are increasing affordability, supporting our public schools, and improving access to high-quality healthcare. That means addressing housing and childcare costs and lowering the price of daily essentials. I will work to raise the minimum wage, invest in job training and apprenticeships, and protect workers’ rights. I also believe in building modern, connected, and resilient communities by prioritizing clean energy and public transit. We must meet critical infrastructure needs, including water systems, broadband, flood and wildfire mitigation, and a reliable power grid. Above all, every Texan deserves dignity, respect, and opportunity, so I will fight for reproductive freedom, LGBTQ+ and racial equality, and voting rights.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Labor Unions: Texas AFL-CIO, Austin Central Labor Council, AFSCME Local 1624, CWA District 6, Texas Building Trades Council, Texas State Employees Union, Unite Here, and United Workers of Integral Care.

Teachers Unions: Texas AFT, Texas State Teachers Association, Education Austin

Democratic orgs: Annie’s List, Texas Progressive Caucus, Capital Area Progressive Democrats, Equity Action.

Individuals: former Sec. of Education Miguel Cardona; Cong. Greg Casar; Cong. Marc Veasey; former State Sen. Wendy Davis; State Reps. Mary Gonzalez and John Bucy; former State Reps. Glen Maxey and Diana Maldonado; Austin City Council Members Jose Velasquez, Chito Vela, and Mike Siegel; and the majority of the Austin ISD School Board.

Full list on web.