HOUSTON – Today, August 20th, Representative Garnet F. Coleman (D-147) released the following statement:

"I am proud to represent the people of District 147 and want to continue working with leaders in our community and throughout the state to improve access to quality health care, increase affordable housing, reform the criminal justice system and provide educational opportunity to every child.

In addition to those important issues, the Legislature will take up redistricting next session, and it is important that the redistricting plans adopted in 2021 provide fair representation for all Texans. During the upcoming session I look forward to sharing with my colleagues the knowledge I've gained in four rounds of redistricting and working to preserve District 147 as a district of color as a direct result of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

I want to continue my work securing land and breaking ground for more affordable housing in District 147. As we did last week for 43 affordable homes at Palmetto Place–the first affordable subdivision in OST/South Union in fifty years.

As a founding member of the newly formed House Criminal Justice Reform Caucus–I will continue working to find bipartisan solutions to create a fairer and more just criminal justice system.

Finally, I want to continue to develop better public policy to improve our health and human services system in Texas and to continue the progress we made earlier this year by providing additional funding for Pre-K and our public schools.

As your State Representative, I pledge to listen to your concerns, respond to your needs, and represent you with the same level of enthusiasm and passion as I always have. I do have an announced opponent, and I hope that you will continue to give me the honor of representing you in Austin.”