The race to replace retiring Rep. John Davis is of particular interest to me because I live in Texas House District 129. I had the opportunity to sit down with Sheryl Berg and discuss her candidacy for the district.
Background
After graduating from high school in Delaware, Berg attended Baylor University. She told me that even though she transferred from Baylor to the University of Minnesota, she knew that Texas was for her and that she would be back and spend her life there. After graduating from U of M with a degree in Child Psychology and Communication Disorders, she did indeed move back to Texas, earning her Masters in Communication Disorders from the University of Texas. It was at UT that she met her husband Stuart, a chemical engineer. After stints in Corpus Christi and Dallas, the couple made their home in the Clear Lake area in 1990. They have three children, Garret, Grant and Caroline, and recently added Garrett’s bride, Kati, to the fold. Sheryl and Stuart are members of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Clear Lake.
Professional Life
Utilizing her degrees, Sheryl has been a practicing Speech Pathologist for over thirty years, in public schools and in private practice. She has owned her own business, Bay Area Speech Language Learning Associates, since 2002.
Political Experience
It would be a book length novel to write down all of her grassroots activities. In addition to being a precinct chair, she was the District Chairman for Senate District 11 from 1995 – 2011. She is now the SD 11 SREC Committeewoman, having been elected to both positions by the precinct chairs in the District. She has also been very active in Rotary International and is the current President of the Space Center club in Clear Lake. She is one of the founders of the Texas Conservative View PAC, telling me that she and the other women that started it think that conservative women need a higher profile in the party.
Political Philosophy
When I asked the big question, what would you pass if you could pass any one bill in the Texas legislature guaranteed, she told me that she wasn’t sure of the language exactly but that it would be something to do with the 10th Amendment and state’s powers. She thinks the the overreach of the federal government is the biggest hindrance to economic growth and freedom in Texas and the country as a whole. She stressed to me that she is passionate about the community and isn’t running for office to “be somebody” – she wants to serve and use her leadership experience to solve problems. She told me that she is a listener and doer and that will help her understand the needs of her constituents.
Issues
Obviously economic growth in the district is an issue, given the downsizing of the Johnson Space Center. On education, not only funding but also performance of students. Although we aren’t as affected by the recent drought as other parts of Texas were, she thinks that we have to focus on that issue because it will eventually affect our district given the population explosion in Texas. She also brought up Ellington Field and the opportunities there for redevelopment. She said we should be using 1115 waivers instead of pursuing Medicaid expansion.
Contact Information
Facebook: Sheryl Berg for HD129
Twitter: @SBfor129
Website: SherylBergforTeexas.com
Yvonne Larsen says
Did you get some insight into what she might mean by the redevelopment opportunities at Ellington?
Mary Huls says
She may have been referring to the Ellington Air Commerce Center which could be an air cargo alternative to Bush Intercontinental Airport.
Rhymes W. Right says
Shery; is my choice in this race.