“As a candidate for Harris County Judge, I strongly oppose any effort, whether framed as a “worker consultation policy” or otherwise, that serves as a backdoor to unionizing Harris County employees. The recent agenda item before the Harris County Commissioners Court, involving the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), raises serious concerns about introducing union influence into our county workforce under the guise of consultation.
Harris County has already demonstrated its commitment to our dedicated employees through extraordinary pay raises in recent years. They are improvements that reflect responsible, taxpayer-funded progress without the need for third-party labor organizations. These steps have addressed compensation and working conditions effectively, making external union involvement unnecessary and potentially disruptive.
Public sector unionization would impose rigid structures, increase bureaucratic overhead, drive up costs for taxpayers, and hinder the flexibility our county needs to deliver efficient services. It risks prioritizing union demands over the fiscal responsibility and accountability that Harris County residents expect and deserve from their government.
I believe in direct, open communication between county leadership and employees, without intermediaries that could lead to divided loyalties, higher expenses, or work stoppages that harm the public we serve. Harris County government should return to being focused on good governance, fiscal conservatism, and putting taxpayers first, not on expanding union power.
As your next County Judge, I will work to protect our workforce by maintaining fair policies, continuing competitive compensation based on merit and performance, and ensuring that decisions about our employees’ futures stay in the hands of elected officials accountable to the voters, not union bosses.
Harris County doesn’t need unions; however, it desperately needs strong, prudent leadership. I am committed to providing exactly that.”
