Meet the candidate: Veronica Escobar, U.S. Representative, District 16
Age: 57
Occupation: I’m currently the Congresswoman for Texas-16 and I’m seeking re-election to that seat.
Please describe your personal and professional background.
I'm a third generation El Pasoan, a graduate of UTEP (B.A.) and New York University (M.A.). I worked briefly for the Border Rights Coalition as a co-coordinator, was a college faculty member for a decade, worked in city government for Mayor Ray Caballero, was the executive director for Community Scholars and then ran for public office.
I served as El Paso County commissioner from 2007 to 2011 and the El Paso County Judge from 2011 until 2017, and congresswoman for Texas' 16th Congressional District from 2019 to present. In county government, I'm proud to have led reforms to governance,
administration and budgeting as well as reforms that increased transparency and accountability for taxpayers after the corruption scandals that led to indictments and guilty pleas.
Describe your political identity.
First and foremost, I prioritize El Paso. I consider myself a pragmatic progressive, where I have strongly held values and beliefs that were shaped by being born and raised in our community, but also recognize that compromise is crucial to the work I do.
There are issues like immigration reform in which my party has let the perfect be the enemy of the good. I refuse to sit by and wait for the perfect solution to something when working towards gradual improvements is possible. I point to my ongoing work on the bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform legislation I co-wrote with my colleague, Congresswoman Maria Salazar, a Republican from Miami.
Questions related to U.S. Representative, District 16 race
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
It's been a privilege to serve El Paso, and I'm proud of my record, experience, and my lifelong commitment to our community. I've delivered hundreds of millions of dollars in investment to our community, providing resources for our veterans and active-duty service members (including the new $700 million VA clinic), law enforcement, local governments, healthcare organizations like University Medical Center and Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, and so much more. My work with private sector partners to build a defense/advanced manufacturing hub right here in El Paso will help transform our economy, and advancing the protection of Castner Range as a national monument has protected a community gem. These are just a few of the examples of the tangible, transformative projects and investments that I've delivered to help our community.
But I have also always believed that serving El Paso means being a strong voice for our community. I'm tackling the big issues that are important to my constituents: immigration reform, holding tech companies (data centers) accountable, working for universal healthcare, protecting and expanding Social Security, and fighting for hard-working El Pasoans and individuals being crushed by the current state of the economy.
There is still much work to do. Strong congressional representation is important - understanding what the different levels of government do is fundamental to public service, as is understanding how the federal government works. The ability to move legislation and get funding to our community is rooted in strong relationships with fellow legislators, as well as a seniority system that delivers more powerful committees and responsibilities as that seniority is earned. I’ve worked hard to build those relationships and earn the powerful committee assignments that help our community. I'd be honored to have the opportunity to continue that work on behalf of all El Pasoans.
Texans are concerned about the affordability of basic needs. How can you help with housing, food and fuel costs?
We must end the illegal war with Iran that has made us less safe and driven up the costs of gas and stop Trump’s tariffs that have increased other costs. We also need legislation that provides universal healthcare, childcare subsidies, expanded Pell grants, and paid family and medical leave. Much of this was in "Build Back Better," a bill we passed in the House in 2021. These programs would help families finally get ahead and would create an economy that works for all. We also need guardrails on big tech, including holding them accountable for their impact on our utility bills.
What is your top priority for securing federal funds in Texas or your district?
Tangible investments that improve our infrastructure, aid in workforce and economic development, and expand access to high-quality healthcare. El Paso's infrastructure needs are extensive, from bringing Colonias clean running water to improving our stormwater mitigation system; I am dedicated to drawing down federal dollars to see these projects through. I am also committed to supporting workforce and economic development projects that help keep talented El Pasoans in El Paso with high-paying jobs. Additionally, I have prioritized direct federal funding towards supporting the healthcare systems in El Paso to ensure that families receive the healthcare they deserve, including our veterans, who will soon enjoy access to a world-class $700 million clinic next to Beaumont.
Please rate the current economic conditions.
The economy is currently crushing working families. El Pasoans are paying more for groceries, gas, utilities, and healthcare, while tariffs and other Republican policies, like the One Big, Beautiful Bill, are making those costs even harder to manage. My focus is on lowering the cost of living, protecting healthcare and nutrition assistance, and making sure American families, not billionaires and corporations, are the priority.
Congress passed a major tax bill in 2025. How did working-class Texans either benefit or suffer because of this action?
No, I do not support the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” because it cut healthcare and food assistance for El Paso families while providing massive tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans and giving DHS and ICE trillions of dollars and unchecked power.
In El Paso, it's expected the law will put 45,000 El Pasoans at risk of losing health coverage, cause 95,000 El Pasoans with ACA coverage to see their premiums rise by an average of $440 a year, put benefits at risk for the 70,000 El Paso households that rely on SNAP, and cut Medicaid funding to hospitals and providers, threatening access to care.
El Paso families should not have to pay more for healthcare and groceries so the wealthiest Americans can buy another yacht. And DHS doesn’t need this level of funding – including $1.24 billion for Camp East Montana – when so many needs are going unaddressed by the federal government.
Is U.S. foreign policy working across the globe. What countries are benefiting and what countries are suffering.
I don’t believe American foreign policy is working as it should. This administration has weakened our alliances, undermined American leadership, and pursued military action without a clear strategy or path to peace. The United States should be investing in diplomacy and development and using our economic and diplomatic influence to prevent conflicts before they become wars. Our diplomacy, economic relationships, humanitarian leadership, and democratic values are powerful tools for advancing American interests globally.
Who are the top three financial donors or political action committees funding your campaign?
- The Home Depot Inc. Political Action Committee
- Realtors Political Action Committee (RPAC)
- Richard Teschner
America’s immigration law has created crises in many U.S. cities. What changes must be included in an immigration reform law?
I’m very proud of my bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill, the Dignity Act, which:
- grants legal status and protections to undocumented immigrants already living in the United States,
- reforms the asylum screening process to provide opportunity for review and access to counsel;
- creates new regional processing centers, so migrants do not have to make the perilous journey to the U.S./ Mexico border to seek asylum;
- invests in border security and modernizes our land ports of entry;
- mandates accountability for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE);
- provides a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers.
How do we better protect the U.S. from infectious viruses such as COVID-19, invasive infestations such as screwworm and food borne illnesses such as exploding diarrhea?
We could begin by rehiring the experts from agencies such as the FDA, CDC, NIH, and USDA that were wrongfully fired by DOGE. We have seen the consequences of the carelessness of Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who perpetuated the devastation of the very agencies and organizations tasked with protecting Americans. The spread of screwworm and the endless food and product recalls that have taken place under the Trump administration are a direct result of DOGE. We need to invest in public health institutions that do the work on the ground as well and not promote misinformation and disinformation, as the current administration has done.
Describe one action your party has made that hurt America.
The Democratic Party has let the perfect be the enemy of the good on immigration reform. We owe the American people real policy that can get across the finish line, and we failed - not just for years, but for decades. For entirely too long, Democrats sat on our hands and didn’t pass legislation to fix our broken immigration system, even when we had the House, Senate, and White House. That inaction and quest for purity on immigration policy led to the expansive abuses by the current administration. We need to compromise on this issue in order to protect as many people as possible, help our economy, and have a modern immigration system.
Should retirees pay federal income taxes?
Seniors continue to be squeezed by rising prices, out-of-control healthcare costs, and fears of losing the benefits they earned. Retirees who have spent a lifetime working and paying into Social Security should see those benefits come to fruition. We should protect their hard-earned benefits and make sure our tax system ensures the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share.
Can you name a time you voted against your own political party to protect your constituents?
El Pasoans have been rightfully asking our federal government to address our broken immigration system. When I first co-wrote the Dignity Act with my Republican colleague, Congresswoman Maria Salazar, back in 2023, many in my party were angry that I’d chosen to work across the aisle to get this done. In the years since, I have ignored the calls not to work with Republicans as our community saw firsthand what happens when our broken immigration system is overwhelmed. I have no issue working across the aisle or voting against my party if it means El Pasoans benefit.
What is your position on President Trump’s tariffs, which have had a negative impact on prices across the country?
I have consistently opposed Trump’s tariffs because they function as a tax on American consumers and businesses, increase prices, and particularly harm our region because of our deep economic ties to Mexico and cross-border trade. While tariffs may seem like they make foreign countries pay, Americans feel the economic effects.
Do you support the ongoing war in Iran? Why or why not?
I do not support Trump’s multi-billion-dollar illegal war in Iran that has driven up prices and put our servicemembers in harm's way without a communicable goal. I have voted 5 times to end it. Americans should not be sent into another open-ended conflict without a clear strategy, defined objective, or meaningful debate in Congress. I believe in U.S. diplomacy, not another war without a clear path to peace.
Learn more about Veronica Escobar
Do you plan to continue in your current employment if elected?
I’m currently the Congresswoman for Texas-16 and I’m seeking re-election to that seat.
What experiences in leadership do you have that qualify you for this position?
I served as El Paso County commissioner from 2007 to 2011 and the El Paso County judge from 2011 until 2017, and congresswoman for Texas' 16th Congressional District from 2019 to present. During my tenure in Congress (within the Democratic House caucus) I’ve been elected and appointed to various leadership positions, and over my professional career I have also held numerous non-elected leadership roles on non-profit boards.
Have you ever been arrested or charged with a crime? Have you ever had a civil judgment against you? Have you ever been in arrears on local, state or federal taxes? If so, please provide an explanation.
Yes, I was arrested in 2021 for protesting outside of the Supreme Court when Roe v. Wade was overturned. I felt called to make Good Trouble when so many of my constituents had just lost their rights. I’ve never been in arrears on any taxes.
If elected, would you have any potential conflicts of interest that you are aware of that would impair your ability to serve? Please explain what they are and how you would avoid the conflict.
No.
What does transparent government mean to you? Will you be personally accessible to answer questions while in office?
A transparent government is one in which elected officials are accessible to their constituents and consistently make their positions on current events and issues known.
I’m proud to frequently hold events in which I share updates about my work in Congress. This includes in-person town halls, tele-town halls, employee town halls, neighborhood association visits, community updates with other elected officials, senior center visits, and more. I also have a weekly newsletter in which I recap my visits, share my press releases, and announce upcoming events. I regularly hold press conferences on important issues and make myself available to local, state and national press.
Ensuring I’m accessible to my constituents has been a pillar of my service to the community in my time as a public servant, and it will remain so.
The candidates' responses are being published largely as they
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Meet the Candidate: Veronica Escobar seeks U.S. Representative, 16 seat
