LinkedIn

Girish earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, a master's degree in computers and systems engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and a master's in business administration from the Texas McCombs School of Business. He lives in Austin, Texas, and has volunteered his time as a member of the Rotary Club of Austin, Cato Institute, Institute of Justice, and Braver Angels. 

Girish is the president of Intrepid Technology, WEWISPS, and DeepCoolClear. He previously worked as a marketing manager at ICON Computing and as a software engineer for Tandem, Data General, and Unisys

Girish Altekar's campaign for US Representative in Texas' 37th Congressional District is his first run for public office. 

Candidate website

Believes eliminating licensure requirements will benefit the economy.

Supports allowing salaries to be negotiated individually or collectively.

Believes a non-market bargaining process is monopolistic and exclusive.

Believes in supporting the Federal Reserve's actions to reduce prices.

Supports the Federal Reserve's actions to reduce prices.

Believes in the importance of full-time employment over contract labor.

- Believes eliminating licensure requirements will benefit the economy.
- Supports allowing salaries to be negotiated individually or collectively.
- Believes a non-market bargaining process is monopolistic and exclusive.
- Supports the Federal Reserve's actions to reduce prices.
- Believes in the importance of full-time employment over contract labor.

Economy

Supports legalizing "most/all drugs" and ending the "war on drugs."

Believes qualified immunity protects "bad apples" and supports accountability in law enforcement.

Believes the incentives to use lethal response corrupt police forces and politicians.

Supports making marijuana legal and regulating it like alcohol to reduce violence in the drug trade.

- Opposes civil forfeiture.
- Supports legalizing "most/all drugs" and ending the "war on drugs."
- Opposes quailifed immunity
- Opposes police militarization.
- Believes the incentives to use lethal response corrupt police forces and politicians.
- Supports making marijuana legal and regulating it like alcohol to reduce violence in the drug trade.

Public Safety

Supports providing medical treatment for individuals who wish to receive it.

- Supports providing medical treatment for individuals who wish to receive it.

Healthcare

Believes parents should have control over their children's education.

Believes in prioritizing children's education to guarantee equal opportunities for all.

Supports vouchers, education savings accounts, homeschooling, and other educational options.

- Believes parents should have control over their children's education.
- Believes in prioritizing children's education to guarantee equal opportunities for all.
- Supports vouchers, education savings accounts, homeschooling, and other educational options.

Education

As of September 7, 2024, Girish Altekar’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Voting & Elections

Supports removing obstacles for migrant workers.

Believes immigration and work permits should be considered separately.

Believes legal immigration is "difficult even for skilled workers and impossible for unskilled ones."

- Supports removing obstacles for migrant workers.
- Believes immigration and work permits should be considered separately.
- Opposes punitive tariffs.
- Believes legal immigration is "difficult even for skilled workers and impossible for unskilled ones."

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Facebook

Girish Altekar

Girish Altekar's campaign for US Representative for Texas' 37th Congressional District is his first run for public office. 

- Opposes civil forfeiture.
- Supports legalizing "most/all drugs" and ending the "war on drugs."
- Opposes quailifed immunity
- Opposes police militarization.
- Believes the incentives to use lethal response corrupt police forces and politicians.
- Supports drug legalization, believing it will reduce crime.
- Supports making marijuana legal and regulating it like alcohol to reduce violence in the drug trade.

Girish Altekar resides in the Clarksville and Crestview neighborhoods of Austin, Texas. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from IIT Bombay and a Master's degree in Computer and Systems Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Girish Altekar has run his WIFI business, DeepCoolClear, LLC, in Austin, TX since 1998. He previously worked at Tandem in Austin, TX from 1989 to 1998, Data General in Westboro, MA from 1987 to 1989, and Unisys in Lake Forest, CA from 1983 to 1987.

As of September 12, 2024, Girish Altekar’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports policies that prioritize individual liberty, believing they lead to better outcomes for everyone.

Believes that hiring undocumented immigrants lowers wages for American workers and raises prices for consumers.

Believes that people "simply don't receive the services they need at the prices they can afford."

Supports licensing as it allows differentiated services and higher prices.

Believes underserved communities are significantly affected by a reduced supply of willing labor.

Believes that individuals with skills and labor should not be barred from participating in the economy due to licensing fees.

Believes that many workers prefer to be independent contractors working remotely for the best bidders for their skills.

Believes millions of Americans work in the gig economy because it suits them.

Believes that the economy is affected by "general wage/price inflation" that will counteract any economic growth.

Believes economic policies negatively impact the most vulnerable populations.

Believes individuals from vulnerable communities often become victims of violence or injustice.

Believes in improving the court system to enhance public safety.

Believes that corruption and violence among smugglers are increased by current policies.

Believes individuals should be held accountable for their actions and wishes to consume as long as they hold themselves responsible for all outcomes.

Believes the "drug war hurts ordinary people" and that the profit in illegal drugs...

Believes there is "no justification for prohibition" and supports allowing adult Americans to make their own decisions regarding substance use.

Supports drug legalization, believing it will reduce crime.

Believes juries are not equipped to determine if talc causes cancer.

Believes preparing children for adulthood is the "most important job for all parents," and that the choice of school is a key factor in their overall education.

Believes in community involvement and networking for professional development through participation in the Rotary Club of Austin.

Believes in protecting core freedoms, including the right to have "meaningful choice in your children’s education."

Believes entrenched bureaucracies have negatively impacted education.

Believes children will be "failed" if forced into inadequate educational environments.

Supports parents having full control of their children's education.

Believes the U.S. education system has "the highest costs per student in the world and yet fail to deliver the knowledge," indicating a belief that the current education system is inefficient and ineffective.

Believes children will face a bleak future if current educational issues are not addressed.

Supports providing parents educational vouchers that can be spent at any school.

Plans to increase parents' accredited choices in education.

Believes parents should have the option to choose their child's school.

Believes "professional life-long politicians from super-safe gerrymandered districts are complicit" in voting issues.

Ballotpedia, Jenny Garcia Sharon

Jenny was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She earned her bachelor's degree in administration from the University of the Incarnate Word. She is a member of her local Catholic Parish and is married with children.

As of September 7, 2024, Jenny Garcia Sharon’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Jenny Garcia Sharon previously ran for US Representative in Texas Congressional District 37 in 2022, for District 6 in 2021, and for District 35 in 2020 but did not win. 

Opposes socialism, communism, and "endless wars."

Supports advocating for middle-class Americans, including police officers and firefighters.

Said, "I want to champion the cause for middle-class Americans locally and nationally."

- Opposes socialism and communism.
- Said, "I want to champion the cause for middle-class Americans locally and nationally."

Opposes gun control and believes what "sets the United States of America apart from all other countries of the world is the right of our People to keep and bear arms."

- Opposes gun control and believes what "sets the United States of America apart from all other countries of the world is the right of our People to keep and bear arms."

Opposes abortion, believing it is used as "the preferred method of birth control" and supports the view that "every unborn child...has a right to Life from conception to birth."

Opposes abortion access, stating "I believe unequivocally that every unborn child is endowed by its Creator with a right to Life from conception to birth."

Opposes federal government involvement in healthcare, citing "Obamacare" as an example of increased premiums and dysfunction.

Opposes federal government involvement in healthcare, citing Obamacare as an example.

Believes in using free market principles to promote competition among healthcare providers, aiming to reduce costs and improve efficiency and quality.

Supports competition among healthcare providers to reduce costs and improve efficiency and quality.

- Opposes abortion access, stating "I believe unequivocally that every unborn child is endowed by its Creator with a right to Life from conception to birth."
- Opposes federal government involvement in healthcare, citing Obamacare as an example.
- Supports competition among healthcare providers to reduce costs and improve efficiency and quality.

Plans to advocate for legislation that allows parents to make educational choices for their children regardless of economic or geographic restrictions.

Advocates for parents' ability to make educational choices for their children.

Plans to identify and promote education policies that benefit students with diverse skills and economic backgrounds.

Believes the quality of education provided to the next generation of Americans will determine the "fate of our Nation."

Said, "The fate of our Nation will undeniably be determined on the quality of education that we provide for the next generation of Americans."

- Advocates for parents' ability to make educational choices for their children.
- Plans to identify and promote education policies that benefit students with diverse skills and economic backgrounds.
- Said, "The fate of our Nation will undeniably be determined on the quality of education that we provide for the next generation of Americans."

Believes "the People's trust in fair, legal, and accurate elections is critical to our society."

Believes people's trust in fair, legal, and accurate elections is important.

Said, "As your elected Representative my top priority to address will be election integrity. We cannot allow what happened in the 2020 General Election to be repeated in the future. "

- Believes people's trust in fair, legal, and accurate elections is important.
- Said, "As your elected Representative my top priority to address will be election integrity. We cannot allow what happened in the 2020 General Election to be repeated in the future. "

Supports constructing a wall on the southern border, opposes legislation that allows undocumented immigrants to vote, and plans to ensure federal support for Border Patrol agents.

Supports constructing a wall on the southern border and plans to ensure federal support for Border Patrol agents.

Believes American immigration is crucial for the economy and attracting like-minded individuals but insists it must be lawful and purposeful.

Supports legal immigration and believes it is important for the economy.

- Supports constructing a wall on the southern border and plans to ensure federal support for Border Patrol agents.
- Supports legal immigration and believes it is important for the economy.

Twitter

Instagram

Jenny Garcia Sharon

Jenny Garcia Sharon was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She graduated from the University of the Incarnate Word with a Bachelor's degree in Administration and a Minor in Psychology. Jenny is a member of her local Catholic Parish and is a proud wife and mother.

Jenny Garcia Sharon graduated from the University of the Incarnate Word with a Bachelor’s degree in Administration and a Minor in Psychology. She has volunteered her time as the Treasurer of a local Republican group.

As of September 12, 2024, Jenny Garcia Sharon’s website did not contain information on this issue.

As of September 19, 2024, Jenny Garcia Sharon’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes life is the most important value and opposes gun violence.

Supports police officers and firefighters.

Opposes the federal government involvement in healthcare.

Opposes federal government control over the healthcare system.

Opposes government involvement in healthcare.

Opposes government involvement in healthcare, citing inefficiency in agencies like the DMV.

Believes the quality of education is crucial for the nation's future. Supports maintaining and measuring the education system to provide children and young adults with the knowledge and skills needed for the workforce.

Believes the integrity of elections is crucial, saying, "We cannot allow what happened in the 2020 General Election to be repeated in the future. The fabric of our society is at stake."

Believes "the most important thing in our country is the People's trust in fair, legal, and accurate elections."

Plans to make election integrity his top priority.

Lloyd earned a bachelor's degree and a law degree from University of Texas-Austin. He has a wife and 2 adult children.

As of September 7, 2024, Lloyd Doggett’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Lloyd Doggett is currently a US representative in Congressional District 37 in Texas. He was first elected in 1995 and is serving his 15th term. He used to be a member of the Texas Senate from 1973 to 1985, and a justice in the Texas Supreme Court from 1989 to 1994.

Supports the expanded Child Tax Credit, believing it reduces the tax burden for working families and helps alleviate child poverty.

As a state representative, authored the “No Tax Breaks for Outsourcing” Act to prevent corporations from receiving tax breaks for relocating jobs overseas.

Opposes efforts to dismantle Social Security, particularly through privatization.

As a U.S. Representative, authored the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) to reimburse up to $10,000 in higher education expenses over four years, including textbooks.

As a U.S. representative, authored the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) to reimburse up to $10,000 in higher education expenses over four years, including textbooks.

- Supports the expanded Child Tax Credit, believing it reduces the tax burden for working families and helps alleviate child poverty.
- As a state representative, authored the “No Tax Breaks for Outsourcing” Act to prevent corporations from receiving tax breaks for relocating jobs overseas.
- Opposes efforts to dismantle Social Security, particularly through privatization.
- As a U.S. representative, authored the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) to reimburse up to $10,000 in higher education expenses over four years, including textbooks.

Believes the criminal justice system needs comprehensive reform beyond the First Step Act.

Says sentencing guidelines negatively affect communities of color. Supports the First Step Act, which reformed sentencing guidelines, and wants additional criminal justice reform.

Supports police reform and racial justice. As an original sponsor of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, believes in addressing racial injustice and protecting Black lives.

As an original sponsor of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, believes in addressing racial injustice.

Believes the charges for the January 6 insurrection are insufficient and send a weak message nationally.

Supports gun control and background checks.

- Says sentencing guidelines negatively affect communities of color. Supports the First Step Act, which reformed sentencing guidelines, and wants additional criminal justice reform.
- As an original sponsor of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, believes in addressing racial injustice.
- Believes the charges for the January 6 insurrection are insufficient and send a weak message nationally.
- Supports gun control and background checks.

Supports abortion and has a "100% pro-choice lifetime voting record" and has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund.

Believes it is "deeply unacceptable" that Texas has the highest rate of uninsured residents and "shameful" that GOP leaders will not expand Medicaid.

As Chairman of the House Ways & Means Health Subcommittee, held hearings on rising drug costs and authored the Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act to lower prescription drug prices.

As chairman of the House Ways & Means Health Subcommittee, held hearings on rising drug costs and authored the Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act to lower prescription drug prices.

Supports the Medicare Identity Theft Prevention Act to protect seniors from identity theft.

Supports Medicare for All and has authored legislation to expand Medicare coverage to include hearing, vision, and dental care.

Supports expanding veterans’ health facilities and improving the VA system.

- Supports abortion and has a "100% pro-choice lifetime voting record" and has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund.
- Supports the Affordable Care Act.
- Believes it is "deeply unacceptable" that Texas has the highest rate of uninsured residents and "shameful" that GOP leaders will not expand Medicaid.
- As chairman of the House Ways & Means Health Subcommittee, held hearings on rising drug costs and authored the Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act to lower prescription drug prices.
- Supports the Medicare Identity Theft Prevention Act to protect seniors from identity theft.
- Supports Medicare for All and has authored legislation to expand Medicare coverage to include hearing, vision, and dental care.
- Supports expanding veterans’ health facilities and improving the VA system.

Supports providing up to $10,000 over four years to reimburse higher education expenses and expanding "qualified education expense" to include textbooks.

Supports providing workforce training grants to community colleges.

Supports expanding free school meals for K-12 students.

Supports providing universal preschool for every 3 and 4 year old in Texas.

Supports increasing Pell Grant awards by $550 for college and university students.

- Supports refinancing student loans.
- Supports providing up to $10,000 over four years to reimburse higher education expenses and expanding "qualified education expense" to include textbooks.
- Supports providing workforce training grants to community colleges.
- Supports expanding free school meals for K-12 students.
- Supports providing universal preschool for every 3 and 4 year old in Texas.
- Supports increasing Pell Grant awards by $550 for college and university students.

Believes the warming planet will harm the Gulf Coast, expand deserts, and spread disease.

Believes Texas will face "about 100 days that reach 100 degrees or more annually" by the turn of the century.

Supports addressing climate change and ensuring fair treatment of all people regardless of race, ethnicity, or income in environmental policies.

- Supports rejoining the Paris Agreement.
- Supports the Green New Deal.
- Believes the warming planet will harm the Gulf Coast, expand deserts, and spread disease.
- Believes Texas will face "about 100 days that reach 100 degrees or more annually" by the turn of the century.
- Supports addressing climate change and ensuring fair treatment of all people regardless of race, ethnicity, or income in environmental policies.

Believes there is "no credible evidence of substantial voter fraud" and opposes voter suppression. Supports the John Lewis Voting Rights Act to establish federal protections against racist voter suppression attempts.

Supports the John Lewis Voting Rights Act to establish federal protections against "racist voter suppression attempts."

Believes the January 6th events were "tragic and shocking" and emphasized the need to prevent future attempts to "overthrow the government."

Supports efforts to strike down voter ID requirements and block new state voter rules.

- Supports the John Lewis Voting Rights Act to establish federal protections against "racist voter suppression attempts."
- Believes the January 6th events were "tragic and shocking" and emphasized the need to prevent future attempts to "overthrow the government."
- Supports efforts to strike down voter ID requirements and block new state voter rules.

Believes comprehensive immigration reform will boost the economy, small businesses, and education, and culturally enrich the nation.

Believes less restrictive immigration policies will boost the economy, small businesses, and education, and culturally enrich the nation.

Supports improving the Department of Veterans Affairs rather than privatizing it.

Supports the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, believing that "exemplary young people willing to work hard deserve a chance to succeed in college."

Believes there is a "humanitarian crisis" at the border that Republican leaders have "weaponized."

Opposes funding for "anti-immigrant policies."

- Believes less restrictive immigration policies will boost the economy, small businesses, and education, and culturally enrich the nation.
- Supports improving the Department of Veterans Affairs rather than privatizing it.
- Supports the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, believing that "exemplary young people willing to work hard deserve a chance to succeed in college."
- Believes there is a "humanitarian crisis" at the border that Republican leaders have "weaponized."
- Opposes funding for "anti-immigrant policies."

Lloyd Doggett

Lloyd has a bachelor'd degree and a law degree from University of Texas-Austin. He has a wife and two adult children.

As of September 19, 2024, Lloyd Doggett’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Lloyd Doggett is currently a US house member, representing district 37 in Texas. He was first elected in 1995 and is serving his 15th term. He used to be a member of the Texas senate from 1973 to 1985, and a justice in the Texas supreme court from 1989 to 1994.

- Supports the expanded Child Tax Credit, believing it reduces the tax burden for working families and helps alleviate child poverty.
- As a state representative, authored the “No Tax Breaks for Outsourcing” Act to prevent corporations from receiving tax breaks for relocating jobs overseas.
- Opposes efforts to dismantle Social Security, particularly through privatization.
- As a U.S. Representative, authored the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) to reimburse up to $10,000 in higher education expenses over four years, including textbooks.
- Serves on the House Budget Committee and the Joint Committee on Taxation.

- Supports abortion and has a "100% pro-choice lifetime voting record" and has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund.
- Supports the Affordable Care Act.
- Believes it is "deeply unacceptable" that Texas has the highest rate of uninsured residents and "shameful" that GOP leaders will not expand Medicaid.
- As Chairman of the House Ways & Means Health Subcommittee, held hearings on rising drug costs and authored the Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act to lower prescription drug prices.
- Supports the Medicare Identity Theft Prevention Act to protect seniors from identity theft.
- Supports Medicare for All and has authored legislation to expand Medicare coverage to include hearing, vision, and dental care.
- Supports expanding veterans’ health facilities and improving the VA system.

- Believes less restrictive immigration policies will boost the economy, small businesses, and education, and culturally enrich the nation.
- Supports improving the Department of Veterans Affairs rather than privatizing it.
- Supports the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, believing that "exemplary young people willing to work hard deserve a chance to succeed in college."
- Believes there is a "humanitarian crisis" at the border that Republican leaders have "weaponized."
- Supports comprehensive immigration reform, including a path to citizenship for "Dreamers."
- Opposes funding for "anti-immigrant policies."

Lloyd Doggett lives in Austin, Texas. He attended Bryker Woods Elementary School. He is married to Libby, and they have two daughters, Lisa and Cathy, and four grandchildren.

Lloyd Doggett is a U.S. Representative for Texas, serving as the Chair of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee. He previously served in the Texas Legislature.

Lloyd Doggett has served as a U.S. Representative and is currently the Chair of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee. He is also a member of the House Budget Committee and the Joint Committee on Taxation. Doggett is running for re-election in Texas' 37th Congressional District.

Believes in closing tax loopholes and regulating financial practices.

Believes in transparency regarding tax information, supporting the release of President Donald Trump's taxes.

Believes retirement savings are vulnerable to various risks.

Believes in providing support to business owners, artists, musicians, public schools, families, and working people to address the "devastating and unequal effects of COVID-19" on the economy.

Aims to ensure seniors can have a safe and healthy retirement.

As a member of the House Ways & Means Committee, he helps shape policies on taxes, trade, Social Security, and Medicare.

Opposes privatizing Social Security, believing it will "reduce solvency and endanger benefits for millions of current beneficiaries."

Supports expanding the usage of Pell Grants on a tax-free basis.

Serves on the House Budget Committee and the Joint Committee on Taxation.

Supports the First Step Act, which reformed federal sentencing guidelines and invested in rehabilitation efforts.

Believes in addressing a wide range of issues beyond reproductive rights.

Believes there is "much more work to be done" to ensure accountability for Capitol security, noting that significant breaches have not occurred since the Civil War or the War of 1812.

Believes in addressing public safety through bipartisan efforts, as demonstrated by his statement on the one-year anniversary of the January 6 attack on the Capitol.

Believes safety during elections is important, saying, "I know some of my staff members were quite concerned and some of my colleagues, of course, had people really literally banging on their doors."

Believes in strong public safety measures, supporting legal cases that lead to significant court decisions for community safety.

Believes the Jan. 6 committee should make criminal referrals if supported by evidence, regardless of the person's identity.

Believes the main message of charges against January 6th insurrectionists is to deter future acts of violence against the Capitol and democracy.

Believes the January 6th insurrection was an "attempted coup to stop our election."

Believes penalties for Capitol damage are appropriate but insufficient accountability for organizers of the "attempted coup." Supports the Jan. 6 committee's efforts for accountability.

Supports public safety measures and has proposed possible fines or confinement for certain officials to ensure accountability.

Believes in prioritizing domestic production of medical supplies, and as a U.S. Representative, questioned the export of critical medical supplies during potential outbreak scenarios.

Supports STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education.

Has 19 years of experience teaching courses at Texas Women’s University.

Supports the expanded Child Tax Credit, believing it reduces the tax burden for working families and decreases child poverty.

- Your U.S. Representative represents the interests of your district in the U.S. House of Representatives, the lower house of Congress. Texas currently has 36 U.S. Representatives.
- U.S. Representatives can author, sponsor, debate, and vote on bills that become national law.
- Representatives may serve on congressional committees. Committees focus on certain policy areas, such as transportation, education, or labor. They may also run for higher positions within their party, such as the Speaker of the House or Majority/Minority Leader.
- Representatives are elected to two-year terms. To hold this office, a candidate must be a legal resident of Texas for at least seven years before their election. U.S. Representatives are paid a salary of $174,000/year.

Your representative and federal lawmaker in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Texas US Representative, District 37

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