MJ Hegar Of Round Rock Seeks U.S. Senate Seat

AUSTIN, TX — The 2020 election is heating up across Texas, and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office. Eyes are primarily focused on the presidential election, but voters will also decide the outcome of key local and state races.

One of the most-watched races is the one for U.S. Senate pitting longtime GOP incumbent John Cornyn against MJ Hegar, a Democrat. Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns, and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

MJ Hegar, a resident of Round Rock, Texas, is running for U.S. Senate.

Age: 44

Party affiliation: Democratic Party.

Family: Husband (Brandon Hegar), and two young boys.

Occupation: Speaker and author.

Previous elected experience: NA.

Family members in government: None.

Campaign website: https://mjfortexas.com.

What is the single most pressing issue facing our state, and do you intend to do about it?

Health Care. We had a health care crisis before the pandemic, but now nearly 1 in 3 working-age adult Texans don’t have health insurance. The best health care I’ve ever had was when I was on military-provided Tricare, similar to Medicare, and I believe that kind of high-quality care should be made available to all Americans. That’s why I’ll fight like hell for a public option to expand access while preserving choice. Texas is a state that values individual rights, freedom, and choice, and I believe that individuals should have the choice to stay on private insurance if they prefer or opt into Medicare.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Servant leadership. Senator Cornyn’s top priority for nearly two decades has been lining the pockets of his corporate donors and doing the bidding of his special interest buddies. From leaving Texans in the dust during this pandemic and voting twenty times to repeal the ACA, to stalling gun violence legislation and blocking bipartisan immigration reform, Cornyn’s toxic crusade has blocked needed action on the issues that matter most to Texans. When I look at the partisan gridlock and legislative graveyard in DC, it’s clear that more servant leaders are needed to kickstart our government back into action. As a working mom who’s worried where my health care will come from, I understand the issues facing everyday Texans, unlike Senator Cornyn. I’ll fight like hell for working families when it comes to health care, building an economy for all, rooting out systemic racism, and more.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

When I see a problem, I fix it. When I saw people injured on the battlefield, I flew in and saved them and was given a Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor Device for my actions. When I saw the military was being hurt by an outdated policy that excluded women from combat jobs, I built a broad coalition and successfully led the charge to open up hundreds of thousands of jobs and strengthen our military. When I saw how hard it was for working parents like myself to be able to run for office and have our voices represented, I stood up and found a solution. As Texans grapple with the uncertainty and failed response caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we are looking for a fighter outside of a bubble of privilege who has faced the same struggles we have faced and will put the mission first to get shit done. As a working mom and combat veteran, I understand the challenges facing regular Texans and will be a fighter who delivers real results.

What steps should state government take to bolster economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic for local businesses?

Our lives have been upended by the pandemic because of failed leaders like Senator Cornyn, who undermined the advice of medical experts, downplayed the severity, spread misinformation, and failed to fight for working families in relief packages. We need leaders committed to free, accessible testing and widespread contact tracing to address this public health crisis. To help families facing economic collapse, we need to immediately restore expanded unemployment insurance, ensure paid sick leave, and secure financial assistance for struggling small businesses. We also need funding for Texas’ state government, cities, and counties to avoid massive budget shortfalls that threaten layoffs for workers like teachers and first responders.

How will you address the calls for racial justice and police reform?

I stand firmly with peaceful protesters calling for reforms — the most patriotic thing we can do is make sure we uplift the voices of the marginalized and ensure their calls for justice don’t fall on deaf ears. We cannot move forward as a country without acknowledging the root cause of why people are protesting. Denying that systemic racism exists, like Senator Cornyn does, is part of the problem. This shouldn’t be a partisan issue. We should universally, across the aisle, support people's free speech and right to peacefully protest. And we should universally, across the aisle, condemn any violence or riots or damage to property. Now is the time to elect servant leaders who lead by listening. We need to take a hard look at criminal justice and policing reform, but it needs to go beyond that. We need meaningful action to protect Black lives and end systemic racism across education, housing, employment, economic opportunities, health care, and more to make our country as a whole stronger.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

Along with expanding access to affordable health care and building an economy that works for all Texans, I’m committed to cleaning up our broken government. Texans are sick and tired of watching DC politicians like John Cornyn put special interest donors and political games over the needs of the people. I’m committed to removing the insidious effect of money in politics through comprehensive campaign finance reform, stemming the influence of corporate lobbyists, and securing and expanding voting rights. We can’t deliver results on the top issues facing working families — from rebuilding our economy for everyone and ensuring all Texans have access to quality and affordable health care to taking action on gun violence and climate change — until we clean up our broken system and return the power back to people.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

In 2009, I was on a rescue mission in Afghanistan as a combat search and rescue pilot when I was shot, and the helicopter I was piloting was brought down by Taliban. When we landed, it was nine of us against 150 Taliban fighters. We worked together to survive and keep the patients secure until help arrived. In the end, we were able to defy the odds and successfully complete the mission. Following the mission, I received a Purple Heart and became one of only a few women to be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor for my actions. My time in the military taught me to put the mission first, check ego at the door, and find the common thread and the values that bring people onboard. We need more servant leadership in the U.S. Senate where progress is being halted on critical issues impacting everyday Texans — dimming the future we are leaving for my boys and all our children.