We’ve all heard it before — the same promises, the same speeches. Every election, we’re told that change is coming — that this time someone will fix what’s broken. But too often, real decisions are made far from the lives of ordinary people. Too often, the voices that should be heard are ignored or drowned out.

These are not ordinary times to seek public office. That truth is exactly what compels everyday people to rise — voices that aren’t out of touch or elitist, but voices like yours and voices like mine.

These are the voices that know the challenges we face — in our neighborhoods, in our schools, in our workplaces, in our homes. These are the voices, our voices, fed up with politics as usual. Yet the candidates who rise often go unheard unless they can raise a whole lot of money to take that voice onto the airwaves, onto television, onto highway billboards. And still, they persist.

Still, as many times as we have stood up to be counted, we must rise again and continue to rise until our voices are impossible to ignore. This is not the moment to wait or hope that someone else will do it for us. We the people must rise, lead, and demand the future our families pay for with our tax dollars.

In 2006, my campaign was rooted in the ideals of everyday people — people like you and me. In the years since, like so many of you, I have been patient, hoping that the promises of our political parties would deliver for us. But too often, those promises have fallen short, leaving communities underserved and voices unheard. I rise again today to be your vote for a strong public education, for taxes that benefit all Texans — not just those at the top, and for a government that serves the people, not special interests.

The vision that drives this campaign must align with our shared vision for Texas. Is equal access to public education for every Texas child the key to giving them a real shot at the American Dream and beyond? Should our government value the funding priorities of hardworking Texas families just as much as those of billionaires? Do we deserve a government that listens, and responds to the people it serves? Are these just ideas on paper, or a responsibility that has been passed down to each of us?

Indeed, vision alone is not enough. We must first agree on that vision. I seek this public office because I believe these basic ideas are worthy — not just yesterday, not just this next election, but every single day. I will not abandon any effort that leads to representing Texans as they deserve.

Now it’s your turn. You have a vision — share it. You have a vote — cast it.