Former state Rep. Norma Chavez seeks return to Legislature in open District 77 seat

Former state Rep. Norma Chavez has a long track record in Austin, but she left the Legislature mired in political controversy.

"That was then, and this is now," Chavez said. "I'm an older and wiser person. My record speaks for itself and I'm ready to work for El Paso."

After more than a decade out of politics, she is mounting a comeback campaign.

Chavez announced earlier this month she will seek the open seat in Texas House District 77 representing El Paso. The post is being vacated by. longtime state Rep. Lina Ortega who is not seeking reelection in 2024.

Chavez, who served in the Texas House from 1997 until 2011, joins El Paso city Rep. Alexsandra Annello and former El Paso County Commissioner Vincent Perez in the legislative race.

The three Democrats will compete in the Super Tuesday primary March 5, 2024, with the winner perhaps facing off against the Republican contender in the Nov. 5, 2024, general election. To date, no Republican candidates have entered the race.

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Chavez kicked off her campaign with an evening event Nov. 1 at Mesa Street Grill. The event was promoted in an email from the Eastside Democrats of El Paso along with a laundry list of supporters, including El Paso city Rep. Joe Molinar, El Paso County Commissioner Iliana Holguin, former state Rep. Joe Pickett and Walmart mass shooter defense attorney Joe Spencer.

While Chavez was able to push through significant legislation on behalf of El Paso during her time in the Texas House, her work was often overshadowed by controversy — from accepting $3,500 from lobbyists to pay for a lavish graduation party and fighting against an El Paso County ethics proposal to run-ins with local police and even criticism from legendary labor leader Dolores Huerta for siding with state Republicans to support a cap on civil damage awards.

She was ousted from office by voters in 2011.

From 'old-fashioned' gas station to Texas Legislature

Chavez, born and raised in El Paso, studied at Angelo State University before transferring to the University of Texas at Austin. Though she left college to work in real estate, she eventually received a bachelor's degree in government from the University of Texas.

Her family owned a "good old-fashioned" gas station, which got Chavez involved in climate policy, an issue that would eventually propel her to the Legislature after gathering support for the Texas Clean Air Act.

From 1994 to 1996, she worked as a public action organizer for the United Farmworkers of America, founded by renowned labor leader Cesar Chavez, before being elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1996.

Chavez held the Texas House District 76 post until 2011 when she was defeated by former state Rep. Naomi Gonzalez, who lost her 2014 reelection bid to now-state Sen. Cesar Blanco.

Chavez's legislative record

During her 14 years in the Texas Legislature, Chavez authored 50 bills and 75 amendments, as well as sponsored 22 Senate bills, which were eventually adopted.

Among her proudest achievements was working to wrangle $48 million to establish the Texas Tech Medical School and another $18 million to open its doors, she said.

She likewise worked to expand both the Texas Transportation Commission and the Public Safety Commission from three to five members while also securing the first transportation commissioner from El Paso, Chavez said.

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"I think one of the most important issues, I created a state felony for human trafficking," she said. "I was way ahead of the curve on that."

She likewise pointed out that she worked to "clarify" the state's motorcycle helmet law.

'Seniority matters' in Texas House

Chavez said one of the main reasons she decided to return to politics after 12 years is the benefit her seniority would lend to the El Paso delegation, which suffered the loss of a state representative following the 2020 Census.

"Seniority matters," she said. "This is the most significant aspect of my run. That's extremely important. Since we lost Joe Pickett, we need an assertive member to help the delegation."

Her opponents would be newcomers to the Legislature.

"I don't go as a freshman with training wheels," Chavez added. "I'm going to go in with the ability to work on bills, amendments, appropriation riders, on day one. As soon as I'm sworn in, I'm able to pass bills."

If elected, Chavez said she would work to lower the Texas taxpayer burden.

"First and foremost, I want to be a taxpayer advocate and watchdog," she said. "We need some tax reform to give taxpayers some relief. It's horrifying what's happening to working-class families."

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In addition, Chavez said she wants to focus on state infrastructure, veterans and caregivers, an issue of special concern for her as she is a caregiver to her 90-year-old parents.

"I want to be an advocate and I want to help," she said. "The current laws for elder care are archaic; they need to be modified. I am personally witnessing how difficult it is for families to navigate the state system, and it's outrageous."

Chavez, a product of El Paso public schools, said she remains "adamantly opposed" to school vouchers. And despite being a "right-to-carry, Second Amendment supporter," Chavez believes action has to be taken on assault-style weapons.

"I do believe the dangers of AK-47-style weapons need to be off the streets," she said. "It's getting really scary out there. A weapon of war has no business in a neighborhood."

Chavez said she is enjoying the return to political life and is looking forward to the chance to represent an El Paso district brimming with "crown jewels."

"District 77 is absolutely the heart of El Paso, from the Lower Valley to the 'Star on the Mountain,' Downtown, Mission Hills — it's an amazing district," she said. "I'm pretty excited."

Adam Powell reports on government and politics for the El Paso Times. He can be reached via email at apowell@elpasotimes.com.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Norma Chavez on political controversy: That was then, and this is now