Social Worker Running to Improve Healthcare, Strengthen Public Schools, and fight for East Texans
Election Press Release
Publishers Note: The Herald does NOT endorse any candidate, at any political level. We will, however, be doing a special election section on the offices which directly affect Marion County.
LONGVIEW, TEXAS — Audrey Spanko, a social worker from Mineola, has officially announced her campaign for Texas Senate, District 1 in 2020 to represent East Texas and fight for affordable healthcare. Spanko believes her diverse work experience, perspective, and energy make her the best candidate for East Texans.
Spanko, a Democrat, has witnessed how current state policies have affected people and communities across the district, and she is on a mission to fight social injustice, advocate for the people of East Texas, and bring positive change to the state.
“If our current state senator truly cares about our kids and families as much as he claims, he would have fought for affordable health insurance for the thousands of uninsured in our district,” Spanko said. “He would have fought for sustainable state dollars for public education, and he would have fought to ensure every eligible voter can make their voice heard. Unlike our current senator, I will work for quality, affordable healthcare, fight for public school funding, and defend the voting rights of every Texan.”
Currently, Northeast Texas is home to more than 140,000 uninsured residents, and over the last nine years, four hospitals have closed in Senate District 1. A lack of health coverage and healthcare closures put our community at risk. Spanko will work to broaden access to healthcare to every resident in the district and ensure hospitals have the resources they need to thrive.
As the daughter and sister of public school teachers and a proud graduate of public schools, Spanko will work to increase state funding to support high-quality education for our kids and fight to show our public school educators we truly value them by supporting teacher pay increases.
“Our teachers need a true ally in Austin — someone who believes in a strong public school system and who values the positive impact they make,” Spanko said.
Spanko received two social work degrees from the University of Texas at Austin. Over the last decade, she has worked for nonprofits, healthcare facilities, and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. She was raised in Mineola and graduated from Quitman High School.
Senate District 1 emcompasses 16 counties in Northeast Texas: Bowie, Camp, Cass, Franklin, Gregg, Harrison, Lamar, Marion, Morris, Panola, Red River, Rusk, Smith, Titus, Upshur and Wood.
Election Day is Nov. 3, 2020. To learn more about Spanko’s positions on issues from accessible healthcare to strengthening our public schools, visit www.audreyspanko.com.