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‹ Texas House of Representatives, District 37

Oziel "Ozzie" Ochoa, Jr.

Oziel "Ozzie" Ochoa, Jr.
Democratic
Running for Texas House of Representatives, District 37.

Background

Oziel "Ozzie" Ochoa Jr. is a special education director and former principal. He won the May 2026 Democratic runoff. 

Occupation
Director of special education; former teacher, coach and principal
Education
Kinesiology degree, University of Texas-Pan American; M.Ed., educational leadership, Lamar University
Hometown
Harlingen
Website

Positions

Property Taxes

What is the candidate's position on property tax levels and relief?
Supports property tax reform for working families and homeowners. 

Education and School Choice

What is the candidate's position on public school funding, education savings accounts, and curriculum?
Opposes the education savings account program (often called school vouchers); plans to strengthen the Teacher Retirement System and reduce standardized testing. 

Border Security

What role should the state play in border security and immigration enforcement?
No public position found.
Searched Oct 19, 2026.

Power Grid and Energy

What is the candidate's position on the ERCOT grid, reliability, and energy production?
No public position found.
Searched Oct 19, 2026.

Abortion

What is the candidate's position on Texas abortion law?
Supports families making private medical decisions with their doctors. 

Firearms

What is the candidate's position on Texas firearms laws?
No public position found.
Searched Oct 19, 2026.

Public Safety and Bail

What is the candidate's position on bail, policing, and criminal justice?
Supports funding and training for law enforcement and expanded mental health crisis teams. 

Health Care

What is the candidate's position on Medicaid, insurance coverage, and health costs in Texas?
Plans expanded health care and veterans' services in Cameron and Willacy counties. 

Elections and Voting

What is the candidate's position on election administration, voting rules, and redistricting?
No public position found.
Searched Oct 19, 2026.

District Priorities

What does the candidate say are the top issues for this district?
No public position found.
Searched Oct 19, 2026.

Transgender Policy

What is the candidate's position on Texas laws related to transgender people, including medical treatment for minors, school sports, facilities, and legal definitions of sex?
Not yet researched.

Religion and Public Schools

What is the candidate's position on religion in public schools, such as displaying the Ten Commandments, school prayer, and chaplains?
Not yet researched.

Religious Liberty and Faith Communities

What has the candidate said or done regarding religious freedom and specific faith communities in Texas, such as Christians, Jews, and Muslims?
Not yet researched.

Home Insurance and Housing Costs

What is the candidate's approach to home insurance rates and housing costs in Texas?
Not yet researched.

Money

Finance figures are being checked against official FEC and Texas Ethics Commission filings and will appear here once verified.

Endorsements

No public endorsements found. Searched Oct 19, 2026.