Every two years, voters elect – or re-elect – an individual to serve in the United States House of Representatives.
For Waco, that's Congressional District 17.
The district covers all of McLennan county and includes part of Round Rock before traveling East to Lufkin, skirting Temple, Killeen and Fort Cavazos. Looking to represent this district for the next two years are both Republican incumbent Pete Sessions, and Democrat Mark Lorenzen.
Republican Pete Sessions is originally from Waco and has been a US Congressman for over twenty years, most of which have been in Dallas. He has represented District 17 for the last two years.
He says with a district that covers such a diverse area, it’s important for him to stay informed about his constituents.
"I stay up with people because I go and meet with them. Chambers of commerce, farm bureaus, elected officials – we have spent a great deal of time working with elected officials who are working through a number of infrastructure issues as well as me now being their member of congress," he says
A life-long Texan, Sessions says he is a big supporter of stronger border security, including finishing construction on the border wall.
"I am for knowing who people are that come to this country," he says.
While in Congress, Sessions says he helped fund the border wall and plans to continue this funding if re-elected.
"I, with another member from the appropriations committee, gave the Trump Administration $1.5 billion and they began building the wall – too little too late but at least it was started," he says.
Sessions also says he wants to improve healthcare access across the US by building on existing Obamacare policies.
"I believe you can try all you want to get rid of ObamaCare, I don’t think that’s possible," Sessions says. "I think what is possible is to provide a complimentary or correspondingly something better that people would have that opportunity."
He says he wants to see a system where those who are unemployed would have access to the same type of health insurance as most Americans receive through employee-provided insurance.
Sessions describes himself as a pro-life individual and believes that abortion should be regulated by each state.
"It's a healthcare issue. And healthcare is mandated and controlled by the state," Sessions says.
And as Texas continues to grow, he says he also worries about protecting and diversifying the natural resources for the state – specifically making sure there is enough water, even as we face droughts.
"We are in the process of developing a plan with not only the TNRCC but also the Brazos River Authority and the Corps of Engineers about facing the real issue- what are we going to do to get more water," Sessions says.
He suggests desalinization as a solution for large cities but says that there is a plan in the works for Central Texas.
He also discussed a need for stronger regulations around Electronic Vehicles and solar panels.
You can find his full interview above.
Democratic candidate Mark Lorenzen is hoping to upset the republican seat in his first run for the position. Lorenzen grew up in Texas and is now a pediatrician in Waco.
He says that he decided to run because he saw no one else was running as a Democrat and he wanted make sure everyone in District 17 has a choice.
"After thinking it over, I decided to step in. Do what all Americans need to do, participate in their government, not just complain," Lorenzen says.
He says that although he has never been in office before, his experience as a physician has prepared him for the position.
"I think listening, caring, and being for the people is what this job is all about," he says.
Lorenzen says he supports immigration and wants to see better support for the immigration system.
"I think we need to have many more processing centers, places where people can stay with food and shelter while they get processed," he says.
When it comes to abortion, Lorenzen says he wants to work to see Roe v Wade protections reinstated across the country.
"The government should not be involved in a woman’s decision about her healthcare and her family and her future," Lorenzen says. "So I want to reinstate Roe v Wade. I think it was a good plan."
He says he also wants to see improvements in healthcare.
"We’re the richest country in the world. We have the money, so I think that expanding Medicaid, expanding Medicare is where we need to be going," he says.
Lorenzen also discussed the need for common sense gun laws, raising minimum wage and backing workers rights.
You can find his full interview above.
Early voting runs from now until November 1. Election Day is November, 5.
