Hello. My name is Jan McDowell, and I am running for the House of Representatives, District 24. This church sits just inside one edge of the district. Thank you for inviting me tonight.
I have lived in Carrollton since 1979, and I raised my two now-adult daughters here. They are both now successful, independent adults living in the Dallas area. One of them is the mother of three young children…my grandchildren!
I am a CPA, and it is that financial background that the Dallas Morning News cited in their endorsement of my campaign in the Democratic primary for this race. The skills that I will take to Washington as a CPA seem to be in short supply in our current Congress!
In 2016, I ran for this same Congressional seat. So for over two years now, I have been attending and participating in events across District 24. Just a few examples: the opening of a new fire training facility for the Irving and Grand Prairie Fire Departments; the first service at Bear Creek Community Church in Irving after their sanctuary was destroyed by fire; the Veterans Day Parade in Grapevine; City Council meetings in Carrollton and Farmers Branch; and the Dallas Peace & Justice Center awards banquet. Meeting people throughout the district has been a wonderful experience!
With my perspective as a CPA, I want to focus on shrinking the enormous and ever-growing wage and income inequality gap in our nation. There needs to be a level playing field for everyone, so that there is equal opportunity for all. Just as a sports team is only as strong as its weakest member, so our nation will thrive when all Americans are playing at their full potential.
I understand that it is important to you to know about my faith journey in making your decision on which candidates to support in all the races on the ballot. My faith is rooted in making an everyday attempt to measure my actions against the idea of “What Would Jesus Do?” I think about his instructions such as: love your neighbor, feed the hungry, heal the sick, and blessed are the peacemakers. Those words are as relevant today as they were when he spoke them. Although I, like everyone, frequently fail in carrying them out, they form the basis of how I strive to live. And I think they form a strong basis for how our government should be conducted as well. Thank you.