Gonzalez Says She Will Seek Re-election

State Rep. Naomi Gonzalez, D-El Paso, said on Friday that despite her pending drunk driving case, she intends to seek a third term serving in the Texas House.

Gonzalez ran unopposed in 2012. But after a hard-fought primary win in 2010 against former state Rep. Norma Chavez, D-El Paso, Gonzalez knows what a tough campaign it could be given her legal troubles and said she suspects Chavez will run again.

Chavez said she has received calls from constituents asking her to run again and that she is discussing it with family and friends. She did not say when she plans to make her political intentions known.

In mid-March, Austin police arrested Gonzalez on suspicion of driving while intoxicated she allegedly hit another vehicle that in turn hit a bicyclist.

Gonzalez, 34, publicly apologized to House members on the floor following her arrest and issued a statement in which she called the events "concerning" for her.

Gonzalez said she was not at liberty to discuss the particulars of her case, but admitted her DWI arrest could be used against her in a campaign.

"I'm sure people are going to try to bring out as much negative about anyone as they possibly can,” Gonzalez said. “But I have a strong record this session. I work very hard for the people of the district, and I'm going to continue to do that."

Nearly a third of the legislation that Gonzalez filed has at least passed the House. They’re bills that address human trafficking, Type 2 diabetes and Texas Tech University. But Gonzalez said she wants to do more for the people of District 76, and that’s why she will run for re-election.

She said next session she intends to file a couple of tax bills that would provide “tax relief to everyday homeowners.” She said this was not necessarily the session to get that done, nor to tackle gaming — another important issue to her constituency.