Espoir Ngabo
 Houston community advocate
Website:www.espoirfortexas.com
Why are you running for this position?
I came to Houston as a 5-year-old refugee from Congo, and this city gave me a home. Now I'm running to protect it, because Washington keeps choosing corporate donors over working families, and TX-7 deserves a representative who answers to us, not them.

Q&A: Meet the candidates running for U.S. House District 7

Based in Houston and deeply connected to communities across Alief, Sharpstown, Gulfton, and beyond, Espoir is running to deliver real solutions for TX-7:

About — ESPOIR FOR TEXAS

Espoir Ngabo is from Congo and came to Houston as a 5-year-old refugee. He is based in Houston.

Q&A: Meet the candidates running for US House District 7 | Heights

Now serving as a Regional IT Analyst at BrandSafway, Espoir works at the intersection of technology, infrastructure, and real-world impact. He understands that when systems fail—whether it’s a network outage, a supply chain disruption, or a flooded neighborhood—it’s working people who pay the price.

Espoir built his career in information technology—working across global companies like BrandSafway, Entegris, and Kapsch Group. Over nearly a decade, he has supported the systems that businesses and workers rely on every day—solving problems, maintaining critical infrastructure, and ensuring operations run smoothly behind the scenes.

Espoir currently works as a Regional IT Analyst at BrandSafway. He has worked in information technology at Entegris and Kapsch Group.

2026 Texas General Election

Advocate for increased funding for community clinics in TX-7
 Co-sponsor legislation to raise the federal minimum wage in line with modern cost-of-living realities. Force wages to pace with inflation.
 Introduce bills that allow regional cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) indexing, starting with $25/hr

Platform — ESPOIR FOR TEXAS

Co-sponsor legislation to raise the federal minimum wage in line with modern cost-of-living realities. Force wages to pace with inflation.
 Introduce bills that allow regional cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) indexing, starting with $25/hr
 Advocate and vote for all legislation that reins in the military industrial complex

Push-back on school voucher programs in Texas
 Resuscitate the Department of Education
 2% annual tax on net worth above $50 million (i.e., Ultra-Millionaire Tax Act)
 3%+ annual tax on net worth above $1 billion

2% annual tax on net worth above $50 million (i.e., Ultra-Millionaire Tax Act)
 3%+ annual tax on net worth above $1 billion
 Tax annual unrealized capital gains of billionaires

3%+ annual tax on net worth above $1 billion
 Tax annual unrealized capital gains of billionaires
 Expand the IRS to crack down on tax evasion of the ultra-wealthy

Tax annual unrealized capital gains of billionaires
 Expand the IRS to crack down on tax evasion of the ultra-wealthy
 Increase corporate tax rates based on CEO-to-median worker pay ratios

Expand the IRS to crack down on tax evasion of the ultra-wealthy
 Increase corporate tax rates based on CEO-to-median worker pay ratios
 Propose and co-sponsor legislation like the Women’s Health Protection Act

Pursue former Labor Secretary, Robert Reich’s proposed 10 Ways to make America Affordable Again
 Increase appropriations to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and pair with a pilot program to acquire aging multifamily homes and convert into Community Land Trusts
 Keep Wall Street out of the residential housing market

Increase appropriations to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and pair with a pilot program to acquire aging multifamily homes and convert into Community Land Trusts
 Keep Wall Street out of the residential housing market
 Advocate for tenant right of first refusal + tenant right to organize programs

Keep Wall Street out of the residential housing market
 Advocate for tenant right of first refusal + tenant right to organize programs
 Expand and streamline FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP) and Individual Assistance (IA) Program, so money goes directly to applicants within a set number of days, rather than being held by state and municipal entities

Proposes raising and indexing the federal minimum wage to regional costs of living, starting at $25 per hour.

Proposes wealth taxes on net worth above $50 million and $1 billion, and taxes on billionaires' unrealized capital gains.

Supports expanding Internal Revenue Service enforcement against tax evasion by wealthy people and raising corporate taxes based on CEO-to-worker pay ratios.

Proposes using federal grants from the Community Development Block Grant program to acquire aging multifamily housing and convert it to community land trusts.

Advocates limiting Wall Street involvement in residential housing and establishing tenant rights of first refusal and the right to organize.

- Proposes raising and indexing the federal minimum wage to regional costs of living, starting at $25 per hour.
- Proposes wealth taxes on net worth above $50 million and $1 billion, and taxes on billionaires' unrealized capital gains.
- Supports expanding Internal Revenue Service enforcement against tax evasion by wealthy people and raising corporate taxes based on CEO-to-worker pay ratios.
- Proposes using federal grants from the Community Development Block Grant program to acquire aging multifamily housing and convert it to community land trusts.
- Advocates limiting Wall Street involvement in residential housing and establishing tenant rights of first refusal and the right to organize.

Economy

Prioritize grant applications for bayou/drainage networks near Alief, Sharpstown and Gulfton
 Expand the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Program to improve walkability with sidewalks and street safety upgrades; remove red-tape so the state and city can’t withhold the funds for political games
 Implement a pilot program for participatory budgeting for road and public transit projects

Expand the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Program to improve walkability with sidewalks and street safety upgrades; remove red-tape so the state and city can’t withhold the funds for political games
 Implement a pilot program for participatory budgeting for road and public transit projects
 Protect and expand Federal Transit Administration (FTA) bus program funding for TX-7

Implement a pilot program for participatory budgeting for road and public transit projects
 Protect and expand Federal Transit Administration (FTA) bus program funding for TX-7
 Advocate for corridor-specific earmarks (i.e., dedicated bus lanes, 10-minute peak frequency targets) and a Zero-Fare pilot program

Protect and expand Federal Transit Administration (FTA) bus program funding for TX-7
 Advocate for corridor-specific earmarks (i.e., dedicated bus lanes, 10-minute peak frequency targets) and a Zero-Fare pilot program
 Child food insecurity spikes during summer months when school meals disappear.

Proposes expanding the Safe Streets and Roads for All program for sidewalks and street-safety upgrades.

Supports participatory budgeting for road and transit projects, expanded federal bus funding, dedicated bus lanes, and a zero-fare transit pilot.

- Proposes expanding the Safe Streets and Roads for All program for sidewalks and street-safety upgrades.
- Supports participatory budgeting for road and transit projects, expanded federal bus funding, dedicated bus lanes, and a zero-fare transit pilot.

Public Safety

Congress is unlikely to vote to limit its own power (see H.J.Res.12) so advocates are using Article V of the Constitution to bypass Washington. If 34 state legislatures pass resolutions calling for a "Term Limits Convention," an amendment can be proposed without congressional approval
 Co-sponsor bills like the Medicare for All Act to establish a single-payer universal healthcare system
 Oppose privatization of Medicare or Medicaid

Co-sponsor bills like the Medicare for All Act to establish a single-payer universal healthcare system
 Oppose privatization of Medicare or Medicaid
 Advocate for increased funding for community clinics in TX-7

Oppose privatization of Medicare or Medicaid
 Advocate for increased funding for community clinics in TX-7
 Co-sponsor legislation to raise the federal minimum wage in line with modern cost-of-living realities. Force wages to pace with inflation.

Increase corporate tax rates based on CEO-to-median worker pay ratios
 Propose and co-sponsor legislation like the Women’s Health Protection Act
 Advocate for amending the constitution to enshrine women’s bodily autonomy.

Propose and co-sponsor legislation like the Women’s Health Protection Act
 Advocate for amending the constitution to enshrine women’s bodily autonomy.
 Push for nation-wide paid parental leave

Advocate for amending the constitution to enshrine women’s bodily autonomy.
 Push for nation-wide paid parental leave
 Pursue former Labor Secretary, Robert Reich’s proposed 10 Ways to make America Affordable Again

Supports the Medicare for All Act to establish a single-payer universal healthcare system and opposes privatizing Medicare or Medicaid.

Advocates increased funding for community clinics in District 7.

Supports the Women’s Health Protection Act and a constitutional amendment protecting women’s bodily autonomy.

- Supports the Medicare for All Act to establish a single-payer universal healthcare system and opposes privatizing Medicare or Medicaid.
- Advocates increased funding for community clinics in District 7.
- Supports the Women’s Health Protection Act and a constitutional amendment protecting women’s bodily autonomy.
- Supports nationwide paid parental leave.

Healthcare

Support legislation that builds a Progressive Vision for Education in the 21st Century
 Push-back on school voucher programs in Texas
 Resuscitate the Department of Education

Push-back on school voucher programs in Texas
 Resuscitate the Department of Education
 2% annual tax on net worth above $50 million (i.e., Ultra-Millionaire Tax Act)

Child food insecurity spikes during summer months when school meals disappear. This is a structural gab, not a failure of individual families. Texas consistently ranks among states with highest food insecurity rates
 Co-sponsor and advocate for  permanently authorized Summer EBT
 Allocate federal funds to provide universal meals year-round

Co-sponsor and advocate for  permanently authorized Summer EBT
 Allocate federal funds to provide universal meals year-round
 Provide after-school care, cooling centers and family services

Opposes Texas school voucher programs and supports restoring the Department of Education.

Supports permanently authorizing the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program and funding universal school meals year-round.

- Opposes Texas school voucher programs and supports restoring the Department of Education.
- Supports permanently authorizing the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program and funding universal school meals year-round.

Education

Restore funding to UNRWA
 Support recognition of Palestinian statehood
 Data centers must serve communities, not drain our water, overload or grid, and collect public subsidies for private tech monopolies
 Endorse legislation like the Data Transparency Act

Advocate for tenant right of first refusal + tenant right to organize programs
 Expand and streamline FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP) and Individual Assistance (IA) Program, so money goes directly to applicants within a set number of days, rather than being held by state and municipal entities
 Increase Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) funding and keep federal match requirements workable for lower-income communities

Expand and streamline FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP) and Individual Assistance (IA) Program, so money goes directly to applicants within a set number of days, rather than being held by state and municipal entities
 Increase Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) funding and keep federal match requirements workable for lower-income communities
 Tie federal mitigation dollars to measurable outputs (i.e., structures protected, prevention capacity added, repetitive-loss properties flagged)

Increase Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) funding and keep federal match requirements workable for lower-income communities
 Tie federal mitigation dollars to measurable outputs (i.e., structures protected, prevention capacity added, repetitive-loss properties flagged)
 Prioritize grant applications for bayou/drainage networks near Alief, Sharpstown and Gulfton

Tie federal mitigation dollars to measurable outputs (i.e., structures protected, prevention capacity added, repetitive-loss properties flagged)
 Prioritize grant applications for bayou/drainage networks near Alief, Sharpstown and Gulfton
 Expand the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Program to improve walkability with sidewalks and street safety upgrades; remove red-tape so the state and city can’t withhold the funds for political games

Supports regulating data centers to prevent excessive water and electricity use and public subsidies for private technology companies.

Proposes faster, direct aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, increased hazard-mitigation funding, and outcome-based flood-mitigation grants for lower-income communities.

Prioritizes federal grant applications for bayou and drainage networks near Alief, Sharpstown, and Gulfton.

- Supports regulating data centers to prevent excessive water and electricity use and public subsidies for private technology companies.
- Proposes faster, direct aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, increased hazard-mitigation funding, and outcome-based flood-mitigation grants for lower-income communities.
- Prioritizes federal grant applications for bayou and drainage networks near Alief, Sharpstown, and Gulfton.

Energy & the Environment

Paid for by Campaign Committee for Espoir Ngabo
Overturn Citizens United  by co-sponsoring and advocating for the Democracy for All Amendment — a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United and restore the power of Congress to regulate political spending
 Ban Lobbyist Gifts — no more direct or indirect incentives for politicians

Ban Stock Trading in Congress by co-sponsoring and advocating for the Ban Congressional Stock Trading Act
 Advocate for public financing of campaigns
 Co-sponsor the Ranked Choice Voting Act and push for federal incentives for states to adopt RCV in primaries and general elections

Advocate for public financing of campaigns
 Co-sponsor the Ranked Choice Voting Act and push for federal incentives for states to adopt RCV in primaries and general elections
 Support federal standards for fair ballot access, including nonpartisan primary systems

Co-sponsor the Ranked Choice Voting Act and push for federal incentives for states to adopt RCV in primaries and general elections
 Support federal standards for fair ballot access, including nonpartisan primary systems
 Introduce legislation tying congressional salaries to a multiple of the median income of their home district

Lead by example — publicly pledge to donate excess salary back into TX-7
 Co-sponsor and advocate for legislation capping term limits for Congress
 Congress is unlikely to vote to limit its own power (see H.J.Res.12) so advocates are using Article V of the Constitution to bypass Washington.

Supports the Democracy for All Amendment to overturn Citizens United and restore Congress’s authority to regulate political spending.

Supports the Ranked Choice Voting Act and federal incentives for states to use ranked-choice voting in primary and general elections.

Supports federal ballot-access standards, including nonpartisan primary systems, as well as congressional term limits.

- Supports the Democracy for All Amendment to overturn Citizens United and restore Congress’s authority to regulate political spending.
- Advocates public campaign financing.
- Supports the Ranked Choice Voting Act and federal incentives for states to use ranked-choice voting in primary and general elections.
- Supports federal ballot-access standards, including nonpartisan primary systems, as well as congressional term limits.

Voting & Elections

Introduce bills that allow regional cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) indexing, starting with $25/hr
 Advocate and vote for all legislation that reins in the military industrial complex
 Vote against unconditional military aid packages (i.e., Ceasefire Compliance Act)

Advocate and vote for all legislation that reins in the military industrial complex
 Vote against unconditional military aid packages (i.e., Ceasefire Compliance Act)
 Condition aid (if any) on compliance with U.S. human rights law (i.e., Leahy Law)

Vote against unconditional military aid packages (i.e., Ceasefire Compliance Act)
 Condition aid (if any) on compliance with U.S. human rights law (i.e., Leahy Law)
 Support bills that compel the Department of Defense (DOD) to achieve a clean audit by imposing financial penalties for failures

Support bills that compel the Department of Defense (DOD) to achieve a clean audit by imposing financial penalties for failures
 Reduce or eliminate Foreign Military Financing (FMF)
 Restore funding to UNRWA

Reduce or eliminate Foreign Military Financing (FMF)
 Restore funding to UNRWA
 Support recognition of Palestinian statehood

Restore funding to UNRWA
 Support recognition of Palestinian statehood
 Data centers must serve communities, not drain our water, overload or grid, and collect public subsidies for private tech monopolies

Advocates legislation to limit the military-industrial complex and opposes unconditional military-aid packages.

Supports conditioning military aid on compliance with U.S. human-rights law and reducing or eliminating Foreign Military Financing.

Supports restoring funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and recognizing Palestinian statehood.

- Advocates legislation to limit the military-industrial complex and opposes unconditional military-aid packages.
- Supports conditioning military aid on compliance with U.S. human-rights law and reducing or eliminating Foreign Military Financing.
- Supports restoring funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and recognizing Palestinian statehood.

Foreign Policy and Immigration

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Espoir Ngabo

Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

Alexander Hale

Lizzie Pannill Fletcher

- 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.