meet representative Barbara Gervin‑Hawkins
First elected in 2016, she has served continuously since then, running unopposed in every Democratic primary until now.
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Co-founded the George Gervin Academy, a charter school in Bexar County, raising real questions about charter interests and policy decisions. She is vice-chair of the House Select Committee on Educational Opportunity & Enrichment.
Controversial Positions & Voting record
• Profiting from Public Education?
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While most Democrats oppose school vouchers, Barbara Gervin-Hawkins has signaled she's open to compromise — even as she runs a charter school network herself.
That’s not just bad policy — it’s a personal conflict of interest.
We need leaders who defend public schools, not ones who quietly profit from their dismantling.
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• "Present, Not Voting" on Criminalizing Cannabis?
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this year, SB 3 proposed banning hemp-derived THC and cracking down on cannabis across Texas. While others took a stand, Gervin-Hawkins chose to vote “Present, Not Voting.”
That wasn’t courage. It was avoidance.
When Texans needed a voice, she stayed silent — showing that our communities' health and criminal justice issues just aren't a priority for her.
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• Missing in Action on DEI and Student Rights
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On major bills like SB 12 and SB 900 targeting DEI in schools, and SB 2972 restricting student protest rights, Gervin-Hawkins was either absent or silent.
No votes. No amendments. No leadership.
She’s repeatedly chosen political safety over standing up for equity, free speech, and inclusive education — when the stakes are too high for silence.
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• Bought and Paid For — But Not by Us
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With no serious challengers for years, Gervin-Hawkins has grown comfortable — and corporate donors have taken notice.
Her campaigns have been funded by powerful law firms, real estate PACs, and Union Pacific — industries with a direct interest in state policy.​ And while she weighs in on education policy, she’s also running a charter school business. That’s not public service — that’s self-dealing.
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Texans deserve bold, accountable leadership — not someone protecting their own power and profit.
District 120 Deserves so much Better
- We need leadership that understands uncomfort—even in the legislature.
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No one asked for her seat—but working families asked her to represent their interests. Avoiding votes shields her from conflict, but it doesn’t help neighbors suffering from housing insecurity or medical debt.
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- We deserve accountability—not stagnation.
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Running unopposed for years may have kept her safe—but it also lowered the bar for what leadership looks like.
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- We need someone who fights for public solutions—not private gain.
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The same person who owns a charter network should not be the arbiter of voucher policy. Texans deserve leaders who separate personal business from public interest.
Time for a Representative Who Uses Their Voice
Votes matter. Absence matters. Silence matters.
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Barbara Gervin‑Hawkins may feel comfortable, but her avoidance is costing District 120 real opportunity. We’re not asking for perfection—we’re asking for engagement, integrity, and courage. It’s time for a representative who doesn’t just toe the line but fights for working-class folks even when it’s unpopular.
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Join us in demanding better leadership—let’s vote for fresh voices who show up, speak out, and act tirelessly for our community.