In the March 6 Republican Primary, Dallas voters have a chance to determine whether the next Republican nominee for House District 114 will align with family values and the Texas Republican platform.

Jason Villalba, the incumbent, and challenger Lisa Luby Ryan are the two candidates running in the 2018 Republican Primary Election for Texas House District 114 (North Dallas). With the primary quickly approaching (early voting begins Feb. 20), it is critical for voters to know more about the voting record of Rep. Villalba, how his record does not align with the platform of the Republican Party of Texas, and why he scored a failing 48% on the 2017 Faith & Family Scorecard.

Below are 5 important family values issues, Rep. Villalba’s legislative record, and corresponding Texas Republican Party platform planks on those issues.

1. Villalba Voted Against Religious Freedom for Faith-Based Child Welfare Providers

The Freedom to Serve Children Act was passed in 85th legislative session as a response to the increase of religious freedom attacks against faith-based child welfare providers. In other states, faith-based child welfare providers were shut down because the government would not allow them to operate according to their religious beliefs. The new law ensures faith-based child welfare providers are not punished by the government because of their beliefs on marriage, family, and the unborn. The bill was passed with bipartisan support.

Jason Villalba voted against the Freedom to Serve Children Act.

The Texas Republican Party platform plank No. 104 states: “….We oppose any government agency from forcing faith-based adoption or foster care organizations to place children with same-sex couples.”

2. Villalba Refused to Support Protecting Privacy for Women and Girls
   
   The House version of the Texas Privacy Act, HB 2899, was submitted and gained over 80 co-sponsors. The bill stopped local governments from enacting policies that allowed men into women’s showers, locker-rooms, and bathrooms in public schools and government buildings. The bill also protected the decisions of private business owners to set their own policies on the issue. In the Special Session, Gov. Abbott specifically referenced the House version of the Privacy Act when he added the privacy issue to the call for a Special Session.

Jason Villalba did not co-sponsor the House version of the Privacy Act in the regular or Special Session.

The Texas Republican party platform plank No. 87 states, “We urge the enactment of legislation addressing individuals’ use of bathrooms, showers and locker rooms that correspond with their biologically determined sex.”

3. Jason Villalba Voted to Punish Business Owners for their Religious Beliefs & Voted to Force Business Owners to Allow Men into Women’s Facilities
   
   During the 2017 legislative session, two bills sponsored by liberal Democrats would place special protections for “sexual orientation,” “gender identity,” and “gender expression” in Texas law. This language has been used by local governments and other state governments to punish business owners because of their religious beliefs on marriage. This language also allows males into female facilities, such as showers, locker-rooms, bathrooms, and sleeping areas. HB 225 would have punished private business owners if they chose not to pay for same-sex benefits, and also would have punished them if they did not allow men into women’s restrooms. HB 192 would have forced homeless shelters and religious institutions, such as convents, to allow men into women’s sleeping areas.

Jason Villalba voted for the bill (HB 225) in committee and also voted for the other bill (HB 192) in committee. Villalba was the only Republican to vote in favor of the bills in committee. Because Villalba voted with Democrats and LGBT advocates in favor of the bills, the bills were passed out of committee and advanced to the House Calendars Committee.

The Texas Republican party platform plank No. 79 states,
“We support the definition of marriage as a God-ordained, legal and moral commitment only between one natural man and one natural woman.”

The Texas Republican party platform plank No. 84 states: “…We oppose the granting of special legal entitlements or creation of special status for homosexual behavior, regardless of state of origin. We oppose any criminal or civil penalties against those who oppose homosexuality out of faith, conviction, or belief in traditional values.”

The Texas Republican party platform plank No. 87 states, “We urge the enactment of legislation addressing individuals’ use of bathrooms, showers and locker rooms that correspond with their biologically determined sex.”

4. Villalba Voted to Stop Protecting Unborn Children
   
   Every life is precious in the sight of God. It is important that life, from conception to natural death, is protected in Texas law. Unfortunately, there are still loopholes in Texas law that allow children with special needs to be aborted. The House had the opportunity to vote to close the loophole on this issue during the legislative session, but the motion was denied (tabled).

Jason Villalba voted to keep the loophole open which allows unborn children with special needs to continue to be aborted in Texas.

Republican party platform plank No. 94 states, “Until our final goal of total constitutional rights for the unborn child is achieved, we support laws that restrict and regulate abortion including, but not limited to… Prohibition of abortion due to the results of genetic diagnosis.”

5. Villalba Voted Against Religious Freedom for Attorneys
   
   Recently, the American Bar Association (ABA) passed rules that punish attorneys for their beliefs on marriage and human sexuality. The ABA rule prohibits association with churches that believe marriage is between one man and one woman. In response, the Texas legislature passed an amendment that would protect the religious freedom of those being admitted to the State Bar.

Jason Villalba voted against the amendment  that protected the religious freedom of attorneys.

The Texas Republican party platform plank No. 84 states, “…We oppose any criminal or civil penalties against those who oppose homosexuality out of faith, conviction, or belief in traditional values.”

Rep. Villalba received the second lowest ranking of House Republicans on the 2017 Faith & Family Scorecard, a failing 48%. Villalba has a record of repeatedly voting against family values and against the Republican Party platform. Texas Values Action endorsed Lisa Luby Ryan for House District 114 because she is committed to standing for religious liberty and marriage, protecting privacy, and defending the unborn.