Texans deserve Better

Let’s fight together for a Better Texas.

Meet Malik

Meet Malik ★

As the youngest son of a single mother, I grew up with an intimate understanding of housing and food insecurity. Today, I channel that lived experience into my work as a legal aid, family law attorney, serving 14 rural counties. I will continue advocating for Texans because we all deserve better!

Before entering the courtroom, I was a child who lived in the shadow of scarcity, often wondering if our food stamps would last or if school lunch would be my only meal. Before I became a first-generation Texas Tech graduate with a degree in Political Science and a Congressional staffer for Sheila Jackson Lee in D.C., I spent years working every job imaginable—from fast food, retail, to hotels and housing services—to fund my path forward.

Long before I entered the political arena, my foundation was built on community service. My commitment began in high school as a mentor to younger students and deepened during my time at Texas Tech. By volunteering with the Rotary Club of Lubbock and local food banks, I sought to provide the same stability that support systems offered me during my own childhood in poverty. This drive naturally evolved into leadership roles as a Community Advisor and a mentor for first-generation students, where I worked to bridge the gap for those navigating the same systemic challenges I once faced.

I am running for office because Texans deserve better. Simply living is becoming too expensive, democracy is under attack, and the ultra-wealthy are hurting more than they are benefiting us. Let me advocate for you!

Why I’m Running

I advocate for our community because I believe no one should face hardships that we have the power to prevent.

Texas has the 8th largest economy in the world and the 2nd best economy in the nation. That means we should be able to afford, or at least try to ensure, expanded healthcare, guaranteed childcare, high-quality public education, and affordable housing to all Texans: low-income, middle class, rural, and west Texan.

Unfortunately, our elected officials would rather prioritize the profits of corporations and the ultra-wealthy instead of prioritizing the needs of the people. Texas has been under Republican control for nearly 30 years, and people are suffering more.

I am running to amplify the voices of those long overlooked by our system. We are all entitled to a future defined by opportunity, not neglect—because Texas and its people deserve better.

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"When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, then you have an obligation to do something about it" - John Lewis

Community Resources

Free Legal Assistance

Everyone deserves protection from domestic violence and adequate legal representation in court

Family Legal Services

Legal Aid of Northwest Texas

Criminal Defense Services

Economic Justice Initiative

Texas Law Help

Mutual Aid

Everyone deserves to have their basic needs met and when the government fails them, community steps up

South Plains Food Bank

Catholic Charities

Lubbock Impact

Free Clinic

United Way

Enjoying Community

Everyone deserves to be included and to enjoy life with friends, family, and neighbors

East Lubbock Art House

Lubbock Book Clubs

Mad Hatter’s: D&D and Magic

LHUCA: Art Trail and Battle of the Bands

West Texas Trivia

HAMILTON

A Better Texas Demands (Issues)

  • Protection in our communities: ICE is harassing communities, dividing our people, instigating violence, and violating constitutional rights without accountability. They have continuously killed community members and jailed American citizens without cause. At the state level, all efforts must be taken to protect our community from ICE. 

    Immigrant Labor Rights: Immigrants contribute greatly to a thriving Texas, making up nearly a quarter of our labor force. They are exploited and pay taxes without reaping any of the benefits. They deserve fair wages, health and medical benefits, a decent education, and proper climate protections.

    End For-Profit Detention Centers: Private prisons are no longer solely focused on criminals. Texas is the only state that allows minor children to be detained with their families. These facilities make money from each person they detain. Immigrants face horrific conditions: such as allegations of rape and abuse. THIS MUST END!

  • Guaranteed Childcare: Families are paying between $1,500 to (about) $3,000 a month for childcare; paying more for these services than their mortgage, insurance, and food. Parents often have to decide between a career or taking care of their children, and usually it’s the mother who stays home. However, because wages have not kept up with the cost of living, households require more than one source of income. Living in a state that is the nation's second-best economy, universal affordable childcare for working families is an absolute PRIORITY.

    Paid Family Leave: 75% of working Texans do not have the financial freedom or the choice to stay home and take care of their newborn baby. Childcare in Texas is unaffordable and inconsistent, especially in rural areas, which are prone to food and childcare deserts. Plus, most licensed childcare providers will not accept infants under 6 weeks old. 12-week Paid Family Leave is necessary for success.

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    I WILL ADVOCATE FOR FAMILIES!

  • Expanded Medicaid: Texas has the highest percentage of uninsured residents and highest cost for coverage. Texans deserve to live life without the fear that one trip to the hospital will send them into financial ruin.

    Reproductive Rights: The government should not come in-between a woman and her doctor, PERIOD. Women will have the right to make their own healthcare decisions. Bodily autonomy is access to contraceptives, abortions, IVF, and pre/post-natal care.

    Healthcare for People, NOT PROFITS: Families are making the hard choice to not fill their essential medication(s) due to cost. We need to cap and lower prescription drug cost, revitalize rural hospitals, and invest in mental health access.

    Accessible Services: Texas leads the nation in rural hospital closures. Many rural families are in ambulance and service deserts; having to travel 30, 45 minutes to receive care.

    I WILL ADVOCATE FOR PATIENTS!

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    *HEALTHCARE IS A HUMAN RIGHT

  • Fully Funded Schools: Public dollars belong to public schools. I will STOP GOP VOUCHERS from committing theft on public education. The resources and freedom to manage a school must be returned to those who know their community needs the best... Educators!

    Freedom to Teach and Learn: Radical conservatives have adversely impacted the world-class academic environment of Texas Tech for nearly 2k professors and over 40k students. Institutions of higher education are actively under attack. Political games should not stifle academic freedom and growth. Differing opinions should NOT have the consequence of termination nor punishment.

    Public Collective Bargaining: The right to bargain ensures that educators will have a seat and a voice in the terms and conditions of their employment. A fair contract for higher salary, benefits, and working conditions—while improving teaching and learning conditions—means everyone benefits.

  • A Higher Minimum Wage: Texas has NOT seen an increase in our minimum wage since I was 11, in 2009. The cost of living has skyrocketed, the profits of companies has risen, but the take home pay of workers has not changed. A $15 minimum wage is necessary.

    Ensured Worker Protections: All workers, regardless of race, religion, age, or physical condition, should be protected in the workplace. Anti-discrimination, wage laws, and disability rights must be enshrined. Employers must clarify a Right to Refuse and Reemployment rights.

    Strong Union Representation: Texas is a "Right-to-work... FOR LESS" state. Employees are subject to termination for any reason or no reason at all. Stronger unions are required to defend higher wages, working conditions, better benefits, and a secure retirement.

    I WILL ADVOCATE FOR WORKERS!

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    *Texas ranks 46th in Wages, Worker Protections, and Organizing Rights. We rank 49th in job satisfaction and health cost.

  • Planning for Success: Texans have the right to become economically independent but Republicans have held the state back. With policies like Universal Healthcare and Childcare the financial burden for Texans wanting to start a small business will be lessened. Texas should also commit to pro-growth urban zoning to fight the housing crisis the state is currently under.

    Stop the top 1%: The needs of the people should be prioritized more than the profits of corporations and the ultra-wealthy. I will advocate for policies that will correct the insidious decisions of Trickle Down Economics such as: increasing corporate taxes, fully taxing the capital gains of billionaires, and ending corporate welfare. A teacher, nurse, or barber SHOULD NOT pay more in taxes than a CEO or billionaire. They need to pay back Texas for the wealth Texans helped them gain.

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    I WILL ADVOCATE FOR A STRONG MIDDLE CLASS!

Be Part of the Movement

Endorsements

  • Texas Stonewall Democrats