Former Miss Texas files as a potential Democratic candidate for the Texas House

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Former Miss Texas Averie Bishop has officially entered the political arena as a potential candidate for the Texas House.

Trailblazing candidate: The 26-year-old trailblazer, who made history last year as the first Asian American winner of the Miss Texas title, has reportedly submitted her intention to run in the Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 112. Bishop has yet to make an official announcement about her political bid as of this writing.

Bishop’s advocacies: During her Miss Texas reign, Bishop used her platform to advocate for diversity, inclusion and equality in her impassioned speeches across the state and beyond.

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Her rallying cry, "Y’all means all," echoes her stated desire to create an environment where every Texan feels at home and empowered to pursue their dreams. On her TikTok account, which has over 840,000 followers, she continues to address critical issues facing Texas, from gun control to sex education reforms, as well as reproductive health rights, among others.

Stance on issues: In an impassioned op-ed published by MSNBC last month, Bishop expressed concerns about recent legislative actions that she believes threaten the progress Texas has made in embracing its diverse cultural landscape. She criticized the passage of SB 17, a bill banning diversity, equity and inclusion departments in public universities, arguing that such measures hinder the state's potential and harm historically marginalized communities. She also emphasized comprehensive sexual education and access to reproductive health care, particularly in the wake of Texas' abortion law.

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Long road ahead: Bishop is now gearing up for the upcoming Democratic primary, where she aims to secure a chance to challenge incumbent Republican Rep. Angie Chen Button. Button, who first assumed office in 2009, is currently on her seventh term, which is set to end on Jan. 14, 2025.

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