Before Early Voting begins, take some time to consider the Republican candidate for Texas State Senate, Milinda Morris. The first Republican to run this race in 24 years, Morris couldn’t be more different that the incumbent, Borris Miles.
“For starters,” Morris said, “I’ve never been arrested nor have I had criminal charges brought against me. Miles is currently charged with ballot harvesting and voter fraud. In 2017, he was charged with sexual harassment, brandishing a firearm, and threatening an undercover policeman. He’s run unopposed so has been able to fly under the radar all this time, both in the House of Representatives and the Texas State Senate.”
Conversely, Morris describes herself as “very honest and caring. I’ve been taking care of people for 35 years of my life. District 13 is the most diverse district in the state of Texas, and I will make sure that all constituents are cared for.”
As a former obstetrician-gynecologist who just recently retired, Morris is staunchly pro-life, so much so that she sought out medical institutions that did not perform abortions. Catholic since age 14, she’s never thought that killing an unborn baby was appropriate. “My medical training says first do no harm. Our primary goal is to protect the safety of the unborn child until he or she is ready to be born alive. We also protect the mother any way that we can. I’ve avoided any situation that would force me to perform abortions. Obamacare actually requires physician to perform abortions if requested. That’s why I’ve worked for private institutions that could refer patients seeking abortions to other physicians. I’ve had to perform procedures on babies who had died in utero, so I understand the process. I’ve managed women with complications following abortions, something the other side doesn’t want us to talk about. Some of these women are unable to become pregnant again, and others carry emotional issues with them the rest of their lives. Pro-choice proponents want to make abortion sound like an easy procedure like having a tooth pulled. That is absolutely not the case.”
Morris also holds an educational weekly zoom webinar, most recently hosting Sylvia B. Johnson– Matthews of the Houston Pregnancy Health Center. The Center offers women’s health services without abortion. They provide pregnancy tests, discuss risk factors, educate women on alternatives to abortions, and give referrals to proper agencies. As a 501C3, the center is completely free and its sole purpose is to support women in their choices. “Women have a lot of choices, not just abortion. Those are the choices I support. And if a woman is suffering post-abortion, it’s so important that she get the appropriate counseling. The center offers that, plus psychiatric support, treatments for depression, and even baby-naming and a funeral service to help provide the mother with closure.”
As strongly as Morris feels about her pro-life stance, she can quickly tick off all the other issues she wants to tackle in the Texas State Senate. “My role will be public servant in any and all capacities. I want to make sure the economy stays strong, especially for those individual, small business owners hit by Covid. I want to keep property taxes low – we don’t want anyone, such as veterans or the elderly, taxed out of their homes. I believe the police and sheriff departments deserve our support. I want to defeat human trafficking, especially since the department that oversees this is currently understaffed and underdeveloped. In education, we are seeing a high dropout rate that I think can be improved by increasing trade schools. And lastly, I want to tackle medical and mental health care. We have patients, particularly women, with limited access to care, especially preventative. As a physician, I know how much a lack of these types of care costs the state. I understand the process and I know what needs to be done.”
Having put herself through school while married and raising six children, Morris knows the struggles of being a working mother and making all the ends meet. She credits God with being her strength on her journey and with leading her toward the Senate.
“The Lord guides me every day,” Morris said. “There’s no way I could face the daily challenges without drawing strength from the Lord. He’s placed me on this journey to help protect the unborn. Where you’re told to go, you follow. I truly believe I’m doing what the Lord has asked me to do.”
