Student runs for State Rep.
At a young age, Mariana Casarez would excitedly knock on the doors of residents’ homes during voting season, she would inform them of the officials running for office, hand out stickers and would also help putting campaign signs up in their yards.
Little did Casarez know a few years later she would be placing signs up with her own name on them.
Casarez is currently a student at Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) and is majoring in Political Science with a minor in Criminal Justice, and currently serves as a Senator in the Student Government Association at TAMUK.
“Mariana has a drive that is rare in young leaders such as herself. Anytime I see her, she talks about issues she wants to address and changes that she wants to be made. She is taking the initiative at such an early age and it’s admirable. She inspires me to become more aware of implementations within my county and stand up for anything that I believe in,” Vice President of Student Government Fernando Garcia said.
At a mere age of 20, Casarez is currently the youngest person on the ballot for Texas and is seeking State Representative, District-43. She was uncontested on the Democratic ticket, and she will face incumbent J.M. Lozano (R) in the November general election.
House District-43 covers Bee, Calhoun, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Refugio and San Patricio counties.
While juggling school, Casarez also devotes a lot of her time to her job educating at the Boys and Girls Club of Kingsville.
Casarez invested the money she saved from working at the Boys and Girls Club towards her campaign.
“Since then, I have been trying to fight for proper public school funding for teachers, students, public schools and universities…My students motivated me to fight for this. With school vouchers, $1.1 billion would have been lost for new books, schools, playgrounds, field trips and food,” Casarez said.
Casarez has not only become a teacher to her students, but has stood as an example that they too can achieve anything they put their minds to.
When asked about her main supporters Casarez gave credit to her family, friends and coworkers.
“My dad [Mario Casarez] has been a big part of my campaign. He has been my campaign manager and has helped me every step of the way. He is really involved in politics and he teaches me something new every day,” Casarez said.
Mario Casarez’s influence in politics encouraged Casarez to pursue change and take action.
“I played a small role being a former State Democratic Executive Committee member from [Dallas-Fort Worth]. I influenced her a little in politics. However, she picked this campaign on her own wanting to help other college students have less college debt, fighting for woman’s reproductive rights, anti-school vouchers and to help fund public schools,” Mario Casarez said.
Apart from gaining political exposure from her father, Casarez has learned a lot in her position as an assistant to the District Attorney at the Kleberg County Courthouse.
Casarez wanted to share her experience with people questioning her age and knowledge.
“People have told me that ‘I don’t have enough experience.’ That’s not the case, I’m educated and I want to be there for my community. The entire campaign is a learning process,” Casarez added. “If elected, I want to work for grants that can impact the community, especially our university. The grants can help expand the campus, bring in more students, change things on campus, implement more technology, bigger programs and provide more mental health resources.”
Casarez also mentioned her interest in improving the water system in the Coastal Bend.
While Casarez is a representative of the Democratic party, she stressed the importance of having both the Democratic and Republican parties working together for the people.
“Even if I don’t win, this will prove that younger people can do this. I wanted to show the younger generation that our voice matters…I know I am young, but if it takes someone from my generation to protect the ones even younger, I am willing to do it,” Casarez said.