Ruth Torres

Torres was born in Chicago, Illinois. She attended Miami Dade College and earned an associate degree from Mountain View College in Dallas, Texas, in 1999. Torres also received a bachelor's degree in business administration from Dallas Baptist University and a master's degree in international human resources management from Florida International University. Torres' professional experience includes being a human resources consultant and CEO for The HR Doctor, LLC, and the executive director for Successful Careers, which described itself as "a non-profit 501c3 organization providing academic intervention and motivation to at-risk youth by providing awareness, exposure and access to business, STEM, entrepreneurship and skilled trade careers." She previously worked as a business professor. She has been affiliated with the NAACP.[1][2][3][4]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m a resilient, committed woman of faith calling Texas home for over 16 years and a bold warrior for a government that serves the people, not the 1%. I’m 3rd of 6 kids to Linda Sue, a white country girl and Andres a black Puerto Rican, both from rural farming families. Now an empty nester, I’ve raised 5 beautiful racially diverse children as a single parent: 2 from a relationship with a police officer and 3 I took as my own when their mothers died very young due to lack of adequate medical care. My disabled siblings and I went through foster homes & homeless shelters. I was a 10th grade dropout but became the first in my family to earn a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from DCCC & Dallas Baptist University via a daily 14 mile bicycle ride, a Master’s Degree in International Management from FIU and am currently completing my law degree. I’m a strategic process improvement and problem solving expert with over 20 years in Human Capital Strategic & Legal Compliance Consulting. I climbed the corporate ladder as a Human Resources Executive, opened a small business in 2007, was a business professor for 7 years, and Executive Director for a non-profit organization for at-risk youth.

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?

America is in a civil war. I have enlisted. The rigged systems perpetuating racism, inequity, oppression and corruption is destroying democracy. I’ll work to rebuild an improved democracy that better fulfills the promise of our constitution by championing reform in every branch and level for an accountable, competent government that serves the people, not the 1%.My commitment and loyalty is to God and country, our constitution, truth and justice - not to any person or party. I will hold all accountable without favoritism for violating their oaths of office or the law.Texas' enemy is greed and discrimination, even among democrats desperate to flip Texas but afraid a minority woman can't win in the general election so they choose to bow submitting to racism preferring to support less qualified, non-minority candidate.

I am the only democratic candidate for this seat that has consistently shown up and delivered results for the people of this district and Texas since at least 2016, without bias or favoritism regardless of party, wealth, race or popularity, at great personal cost.

I offer education, skills and experience to make impact on public policy that is balanced and impactful serving the people and small businesses of CD5, Texas and America while protecting our m

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about having an accountable, competent government that serves the people by providing access to quality public education, affordable healthcare and housing, worker rights and small businesses to sustainable quality of life reducing the wealth gap while protecting our most vulnerable, our children, elderly, and disabled.

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

I look up to my mother, Linda Sue, now deceased who suffered much trauma to care for her children in poverty and lack of quality health care. I follow her as well as courageous people who stood against the odds like Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Shirley Chisholm, and John Lewis but also regular people who accomplished the impossible like Henrietta Wood.

Why? I’m fighting for all our kids and their future. Giving up is not an option.

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

Elected officials should be ethical, competent, and courageously committed to fulfilling their oath of office to defend our constitution, democracy, uphold our laws and serve American families, workers and businesses.

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

Core Responsibilities:

1) Work to better fulfill constitutional promises. Uphold oath of office to defend our constitution and democracy, uphold our laws in the best interests of American families, workers and businesses with integrity and competency.

2) Include subject matter experts as well as constituent perspectives in developing balanced public policy that is responsible with taxpayer dollars. CD5 deserves a representative that serves CD5’s interests, shows up and listens and engages in honest, impactful communications.

3) Repair foreign policy relationships and promotion of American interests around the world without hypocrisy or abuse of power.

Legacy: I join a unified legacy for the next Congress to rebuild our democracy by removing and holding corrupt, incompetent officials accountable, strengthen separation of powers and unrig systems of corruption, inequity, monopolies and discrimination to better serve America’s families, workers and small businesses- the 99%.

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

The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 was on the news with a large group of regular people joyfully working together to take down the wall brick by brick. The world celebrated that wall coming down. I’d like to see us committed to unity for mutual respect and prosperity.

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

I was 13 and sold newspaper subscriptions for a summer. In 9th grade, I worked as a grocery store cashier for about a year and a movie theater for 4 years where I worked my way into management within the first 6 months.

What is your favorite book? Why?

I am a woman of faith, so the Bible, current favorite book is Isaiah. (See Isaiah 1:11-17, Isaiah 6:8, Isaiah 9:14-17, Isaiah 31:1-4).

I am very results oriented, so I read a lot of issue based items to understand and identify potential public policy solutions from authors like Noam Chomsky, Robert Reich, and Joseph Stiglitz.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

I would be the character from Quantum Leap, so I could go back in time to prevent tragedies, atrocities, and fix problems.

I have experienced a great deal of trauma and challenge in my life which has developed resiliency and courage. I watched my mom suffer because domestic violence crimes weren’t enforced in the 80’s. I was in the foster care system. I have been hungry, scared, poor and abused. I was a 10th grade drop-out that returned to earn multiple degrees while working full-time and raising 5 children as a single parent. I cared for young children who had watched their mother’s die too young, and loved ones who are disabled with lack of access to quality healthcare. I have experienced employment and housing discrimination as a multi-racial woman. I lost two properties due to the housing crash of 2008.

I know what it is to be victimized by government incompetency, corruption and simple lack of care, especially as a whistleblower since 2016 which has cost me at least $1.8M in lost wages to date with significant impact to me and my children, yet I was able to stop DFW Airport from robbing wages and benefits from hundreds of workers.

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

The House and Senate together as Congress are one of the three branches of government designed to be a check and balance of power in representing the interests of the people and protecting national security. Congress writes laws for government operations for the Executive branch to execute and the Judiciary to interpret and enforce.

The Senate is limited to 2 seats per state which is elected by state-wide vote every 6 years.

The House is unique in representing the people by population and demographics with the number of seats based on the population of each state elected every TWO years by voters in their specific district.

Therefore, House representatives are designed and intended to best advocate for their district’s needs within national policy. House representatives should be knowledgeable, effectively communicate and work very hard with many stakeholders to develop the laws and get sufficient votes to pass laws that serve their district as well as national interests fairly.

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

At this point, previous experience is far worse than no experience because many have submitted to a culture that fails to serve the people instead focused on self-profit, partying, lying, and loyalty to a corrupt person to hold onto power.

As a Human Capital Consultant for over 20 years, I have learned to look for competency and ethics especially when systemic disparity has prevented access to leadership opportunities. Therefore, it’s more beneficial to evaluate skills and ability to perform job’s responsibilities with measurable results, knowledge of applicable laws and ability to develop policies which mitigate future risks via use of scenarios.

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

Although there have been long standing challenges and rigged economic systems, a wrecking ball has imposed significant damage to democracy, our institutions, infrastructure, finances, reputation and global relationships.

Our greatest challenge is to rebuild a stronger democracy that better fulfills the promise of our constitution by championing reform in every branch and level for an accountable, competent government that serves the people, not the 1%.

This will require unrigging corrupt and oppressive systems, drive down debt, breaking up monopolies, implement new tax policies and programs to fairly tax corporations and 1% wealthiest to reduce the wage gap, support small businesses and make Americans safer, healthier and have affordable home ownership while being a respectable global citizen.

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

No, within 6 months of election the next election cycle begins undermining the ability to focus on serving constituents. The focus is perpetually on staying in power and becoming wealthy by abusing that power instead of serving for results for the people.

I advocate for 4 year terms for both House and Senate representatives.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I support 4 year terms with a 3 term (12 years) term limit but only if there is also an improved Fairness Doctrine, overturning of Citizens United with caps and full transparency on campaign contributions as well as automatic forfeiture of seat due to change in political parties after election, violation of oath of office or failure to show up for work.

I also advocate for:

No congressional pay during government shutdowns.

Ban on stock trades for congress, as well as all cabinet and federal executives who are involved in contracting decisions.

Limits with transparency on congressional representatives direct spending of tax dollars.

No use of tax payer dollars for settlements shielding elected officials from legal actions.

No continued benefits to government officials removed from office due to violations of law.

The same affordable and quality medical benefits congressional representatives have available to all Americans.

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

I have a great deal of respect for numerous political representatives including: John Lewis, Shirley Chisholm, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Sheila Jackson Lee, John McCain, Bennie Thompson, Jamie Raskin, Liz Cheney and all the members of the January 6th Committee, Luis Munoz Marin, Raul Ruiz, Julian and Joaquin Castro, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, and AOC- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Upon election, I will be the first democrat, the first woman and first minority to represent CD5 as well as the first Hispanic in US history elected to any of North Texas’ SEVEN congressional districts. I fully intended on demonstrating honor and integrity in this representation.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Compromise is necessary and desirable with a hard stop at unethical, illegal or harm to the people, especially vulnerable populations. I seek to include and listen to the people of my district as well as subject matter experts to understand perspectives, even from those I disagree with or who will never vote for me in developing mutually beneficial policies. Everyone may not love it, but it needs to be practical and get enough votes to become law, with accountability to my district for every vote.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

I will seek to fully leverage the critical role of raising revenue to make significant changes to the tax code to stop enabling monopolies and the transfer of wealth to the 1% to the detriment of the 99%. I will advocate for a tax changes that:

STOP corporate welfare and subsidies that enable monopolies to instead support small and medium sized businesses and farms so that competition drives down consumer prices.

Fairly tax corporations closing many tax loopholes and tax avoidance mechanisms.

Tax high wage executives on a sliding scale for total compensation above 50x their average worker (including lowest paid positions) to reduce the wage gap and increase affordability.

Tax stocks and investments (especially when they are used as assets or leverage for borrowing) (not applicable to 401k’s, Roths and similar retirement savings accounts).

Remove the cap on social security payroll tax.

Pass the Ultra Millionaire Tax Act.

Tax corporations and private equity firms that own single family homes to disincentive short-term rentals and heavily tax long-term vacancies that limit available housing inventory and drive up housing costs.

Re-implement the expanded Child Tax Credit allowing access to our poorest families.

Reinstate the IRS’ free Direct File program for individuals and small businesses.

Better restrain use of non-profit status to avoid taxation.

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

The House should use its investigative powers to discover the truth and refer for prosecution with cause holding government officials, contractors and industry leaders accountable without favoritism to party, wealth, popularity or any factor, ensuring public awareness of corruption while protecting and rewarding whistleblowers.

The House has much to investigate including the Epstein files and the failure to prosecute to date, corruption in government contracting, mismanagement and disclosure of national security and American’s private data, failure to comply with laws and court orders, use of the military to murder and kidnap, ….the list grows daily.

Candidates hear many personal stories from voters. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching or memorable?

The families whose children’s lives were robbed when they were gunned down at school with no accountability or justice.

A family living in fear and being robbed of wages because of immigration status, even when their young child died in an accident, instead of grieving and planning the funeral, they were franticly moving afraid they would be deported expecting police to show up to discuss the accident.

Beverly, the retired school teacher and widower forced to move out of her home of 30 years to rent and repeatedly move because she couldn’t afford her property taxes.

Jashun, a legally blind worker whose employer reported more than the amount allowed by social security so her disability benefits were automatically stopped.

Multiple family owned businesses forced to close or barely exist due to monopolies and lack of access to government contracts.

John, having difficulty maintaining construction work due to low-wage immigrant labor and an old marijuana charge and even when medical marijuana was made legal, he couldn’t open or work in that business due to the old conviction.

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

I’m a passionate advocate for government accountability that has brought results for Texans including:

Being an aggressive public education activist in Austin against vouchers. I also sought recovery of $88M in misappropriated Dallas ISD bond funds submitting a complaint to enforcement agencies. Subsequently DISD Superintendent Hinojosa resigned & three trustees were not allowed to seek re-election. My report also disrupted non-profits illegally buying school board seats for pro-charter/ pro-voucher candidates.

I proposed legislation to stop street racing after 8 year old Olivia was killed, gained sponsorship and bi-partisan support resulting in HB2315, HB3212 & SB1766 which passed in 2021 protecting lives across Texas.

I confronted mismanagement of HUD funds and lack of housing discrimination legal actions by the City of Dallas benefitting city council campaign contributors resulting in dozens of additional affordable housing units in downtown and ongoing legal action for records to enforce accountability. (See: Travis County: D-1-GN-19-003589)

Since 2016, I’ve lost $1.8M in personal income and experienced extreme retaliation fighting government corruption as a whistleblower which stopped DFW Airport from robbing hundreds of workers of wages and benefits. the DFW Airport contractor, Heaven Marie Diaz of Pursuit of Excellence Inc., was selectively indicted for the least of the illegal actions (See: UD NTX, 3:23-CR-00144-N). The press releases from the IRS, DOJ and media coverage all fail to mention the employees Heaven Marie Diaz stole $3 Million in taxes from were DFW Airport employees.

See: https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation/dallas-business-owner-sentenced-to-more-than-eight-years-in-prison-for-failing-to-pay-over-withheld-employment-taxes

I am still pursuing accountability against dozens of local and state government officials including Texas Governor Greg Abbott & Attorney General Ken Paxton with ongoing federal actions.

(See: US Courts NTX: 3:24-CV-1842-X, 3:24-CV-1843-B).

What role should the United States government have in the development or use of artificial intelligence?

The US should be hosting meetings with ethical IT leaders to develop legislation that promotes innovation while responsibly limiting the dangers of AI with accountability to those who use AI to harm American interests. Legislation should also require disclosure of use of AI with enforcement in federal agencies and court comparable with intellectual property.

What legislation would you enact related to election administration in the United States?

I aggressively support:

The For the People Act to end partisan gerrymandering all parties, protect voting rights, strengthen ethics rules, make voting easier (auto-registration, early voting, protect mail-in voting), require greater transparency in political spending, and mandating stricter ethics for officials.

John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to ensure equitable representation for all by restoring and strengthening Voting Rights Act of 1965 addressing modern voter suppression and discriminatory voting laws after Supreme Court rulings weakened federal oversight.

Overturn Citizens United to strictly limit and require disclosure of campaign contributions.

A Fairness Doctrine and Truth in Political Advertising laws to require balanced and honest media coverage and prohibit false and misleading political advertising.

Campaign websiteTorres' campaign website stated the following:Government AccountabilityStrengthen separation of powers between branches of government and non-partisanship and independence of DOJ, military and other selective agencies.Remove and prosecute corrupt government officials.NO WAR or military action unless responsive to clear, direct and immediate provocation. Supreme Court reform and expansion (to 13- one per appeals district) No more shadow docket.Consider 2 – 3 panels or other procedure to increase productivity.Ethics Code & Disciplinary Body to investigate federal judicial complaints & remove for cause.Government & Judicial immunity pierced for violations of law by revising 42 USC 1983.Presidential pardon eligibility limits and exclusionsNO privatization of government agenciesNo days off or pay during shutdownsAll Congress: 4 Year terms with 3 terms (12 year) lifetime term limitBan stock trades for Congress and federal executives involved in contracting decisions.Strict contracting controls with eligibility and contract performance requirements.Limits with transparency on congressional representatives direct spending of tax dollars.No use of tax payer dollars for settlements shielding government officials from misconduct or illegal actions. Seat forfeiture for changing party after election, legal violation or job abandonment.The same affordable and quality medical benefits congressional representatives have available to all Americans.Protect Democracy & Voting RightsWe must stop allowing government seats to be bought by the 1% to make the 99% poorer and sicker.Eliminate Citizens United (limit political donations with transparency)Eliminate Electoral College & protect voter rights so every vote counts equally, popular vote wins.End Gerrymandering (Fair, sensible maps not favoring any political party.)For the People Act to protect voting rights and mail-in voting.Ensure private right to sue & ability for multiple minority groups to form coalition under Voting Rights Act. John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to ensure equitable representation and address modern voter suppression.Fairness Doctrine and Truth in Political Advertising laws to require balanced media coverage, prohibit false and misleading political advertising.Government issued photo ID validates identity to vote, even if expired. Public high schools, colleges, government employee ID and military ID's all qualify. Border Security & Immigration ReformDue Process, humane and dignified treatment for all.Enable efficient processes securing our border and enforcement of expired visas and permits.Mitigate border surges leveraging migrant programs and technology instead of an ineffective physical wall.Reform number of admissions based on labor needs and available housing resources by city for initial 24 months with immediate eligibility to work and obtain driver's license upon entry. This enables the workforce needed to fuel our economy.This eliminates benefits to migrants not available to US citizens and mitigates population concentrations.Quotas based on formula tied to data points to automatically adjust quarterly. Add assessment on employable skills and incentivize English skills with language resources.Citizenship for DreamersDramatic process improvement to cut red tape & eliminate loopholes.Programs and enforcement to stop human trafficking.Fair & consistent treatment across all jurisdictions.NO citizenship selling, No more catch & release, No more family separations or kids in cages.Stop requirement to return to country of origin for when already legally in USA.Social Security & Economy for the PeopleProtect & expand Social Security, an earned investment. Safety nets for our elderly and disabled are non-negotiable. Increase earnings level allowed up to cost of living of zip code.UNRIG Wallstreet Reduce Deficit & balance budget within 12 years. Stop burdening future generations.STOP corporate welfare and subsidies.Aggressively break-up monopolies controlling supply chains (groceries, housing, energy, and pharmaceuticals)Instead support small and medium sized businesses and farms so that competition drives down consumer prices.Strategic tariffs controlled by Congress.Invest in domestic manufacturing, production and employment strengthening national security and reduce foreign dependency.Funding for roads and internet infrastructure.  Tax offshore profits equal with domestic profits to stop incentive sending jobs overseas.Fairly tax corporations and 1%. Increase minimum wage AND reduce the wage gap. Tax high wage executives on a sliding scale for total compensation above 50x their average worker (including lowest paid positions). STOP Stock buybacks and tax stocks (when used as assets for loans).Remove social security payroll tax cap.Strengthen safety net programs including paid child care.Expand Child Tax Credit allowing access to our poorest families.Reinstate the IRS’ free Direct File program for individuals and small businesses.Better restrain use of non-profit status to avoid taxation.Regulate bank mergers, cap banking fees, require separation of commercial and investment banking and prohibit abuses making being poor very expensive.Corporate bankruptcy reform to protect employee pensions.Bankruptcy reform to include student loan forgiveness.Develop corporate citizenship rating for government contracting eligibility requiring livable wages, benefits and public disclosure of wages and demographics of all workers and fair access for small, woman, veteran and minority owned businesses.Regulate Bitcoin and make them pay for impact to environment, drain on water and electricity. Consider US Postal Service Banking Services for rural communities. Affordable, Quality HealthcareSingle Payer System for core healthcare with reforms for provider services and streamlined billing and payment processing with "bank" in advance so providers want to participate.Expand access to mental health and addiction treatment. Promote provider co-ops.Vision, hearing, non-cosmetic dental, prescription, substance abuse and mental health treatment included.Exclusions for elective, cosmetic procedures not medically necessary.Supplemental insurance available for purchase.Removes businesses from healthcare management entirely. No loss of benefits due to a change or loss of employment or 1099 contractor status.Prohibit health insurance companies and providers from being publicly traded.Regulate drug prices at fair price consistent with international pricing and sales volume.Prevent monopolies and privatization to STOP medical deserts in rural communities. Prohibit insurance companies from dictating or restricting who can be added to their policy, no more requirement as to marriage, dependency or age.Require providers to share trajectory information with patients based on health indicators and implement best care practices, ie. uncontrolled diabetes requires Automated Insulin Delivery System.Prohibit providers from scheduling or care favoritism. Tuition coverage for medical personnel.Codify Roe leaving decisions to women and their doctor. Prohibit criminalization or penalty to women or providers.Require care for miscarriages and medical emergencies.Prohibit travel and birth control bans.Protect IVF access (supplemental not included in core)Affordable HousingPromote building and renovations while controlling density. Encourage zoning changes. Stop abuse of HUD bonds and discrimination against housing programs.Tax corporations limiting available housing inventory to drive up housing costs.Expand first-time home ownership program.Reform Housing loan regulations to promote home ownership.Prohibit monopolies and price manipulations in home insurance and residential rental leases with incentives to limit price increases compared to profit.Protect & Fund EducationK-12:Require proper education funding, teacher pay and accountability with taxpayer funds.Consistent operational and performance requirements.Taxpayer ownership of school buildings.Limit K-12 testing and require custom response to results to improve performance.Expand college credits & trade certifications in high school. Skilled Labor & College Tuition:Free public tuition for up to 4 year degree with performance, completion and graduate employment requirements imposed on both institutions and students.Provide options for skilled trade or college with assessments.Limit tuition & fees on Pell Grant students.Incentivize employer reimbursement programs.Student loan forgiveness for public service and non-profit workers.Deny federal funding to for-profit colleges which fail to provide graduates with living wages.Re-instate income based student loan repayment plans. Retro-calculation of student loans to correct abusive fees and interest rates.Reform of bankruptcy laws to include student loan debt.Student loan forgiveness:For teachers, law enforcement, first responders, medical field or other government, military or high need jobs.Gun SafetyGun manufacturers & sellers can be sued (no more PLCAA). Criminal and civil liability to anyone who illegally provides access to weapons or knowing they will hurt themselves or others.Red flag laws.Close loopholes ensuring protection against domestic violence,universal background checks,raise minimum age to 21,limits and reporting required on purchases, increased communications.Better enforcement