Ballotpedia: Gerry Vander-Lyn

Gerry is born and raised in Houston. She attended Bellaire High School and holds a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Houston. She is an Episcopalian and attends St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.

Gerry has experience working as a health insurance salesperson. She previously worked for the Texas Department of Public Welfare and worked in the graphics department of an oil company.

Gerry Vander-Lyn ran for member of the Houston City Council in District K in 2018 and 2019, but she did not win either race. 

Believes increasing taxes are due to inflation.

Said "We need a budget hawk on Commissioners Court."

- Believes increasing taxes are due to inflation.
- Said "We need a budget hawk on Commissioners Court."

Economy

As of September 7, 2024, Gerry Vander-Lyn’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Candidate website

Believes law enforcement needs to be changed and the Houston Police Department (HPD) can be "used to do a lot more."

Wants to "significantly implement changes in the County Jail."

Believes law enforcement, the judicial system, and existing laws are essential for holding criminals accountable.

Supports greater transparency and accessibility to county public officials.

- Believes law enforcement needs to be changed and the Houston Police Department (HPD) can be "used to do a lot more."
- Wants to "significantly implement changes in the County Jail."
- Believes law enforcement, the judicial system, and existing laws are essential for holding criminals accountable.
- Supports greater transparency and accessibility to county public officials.

Public Safety

Believes Houston’s chronic homelessness problem must be addressed.

Supports addressing homelessness in Houston. 

Supports using a "community first" approach to housing, as demonstrated by Austin's Mobile Loaves & Fishes non-profit.

Supports using a "community first" approach to expand housing options rather than a  “housing first" approach. 

- Supports addressing homelessness in Houston. 
- Supports using a "community first" approach to expand housing options rather than a  “housing first" approach. 

Housing & Urban Development

Believes simplifying election processes will improve recruitment of election judges and clerks.

Believes simplifying election processes will help recruitment efforts for election judges and clerks.

Wants to simplify the election process to help voters and election workers.

- Believes simplifying election processes will help recruitment efforts for election judges and clerks.
- Wants to simplify the election process to help voters and election workers.

Public Services

Said she is "passionate about mental health!"

Believes collaboration between Harris County Psychiatric Center, Menninger Clinic, and local churches can reduce post-COVID mental health disorders.

Believes working with the Harris County Psychiatric Center, the Menninger Clinic, and local churches can "reduce the spike" in mental health disorders. 

- Said she is "passionate about mental health!"
- Believes working with the Harris County Psychiatric Center, the Menninger Clinic, and local churches can "reduce the spike" in mental health disorders. 

Public Health

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Facebook

Gerry Vander-Lyn

Gerry Vander-Lyn ran for member of tthe Houston City Council in District K in 2018 and 2019, but she did not win.

Believes addressing homelessness requires cooperation and collaboration, acknowledging the link between mental illness and homelessness.

Believes homelessness is caused by a lack of community resources.

Serves on two committees of citizens concerned about local schools.

Believes traffic, taxes, and public services are non-political issues.

Gerry Vander-Lyn ran for Houston City Council in District 1 in 2018 and 2019, but she did not win.

Gerry is born and raised in Houston. She attended Bellaire High School and earned her bachelor's degree in history from the University of Houston. Gerry currently attends St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.

Gerry's primary work experience has been as a life and health insurance salesperson. She also previously worked for the Texas Department of Public Welfare and served in the graphics department of an oil company.

Gerry Vander-Lyn previously ran for Houston City Council district K in 2018 and 2019, but did not win.

Believes in holding Harris County officials accountable to improve public safety.

Believes accountability is crucial for transparency and public safety.

- Believes law enforcement, the judicial system, and existing laws are essential for holding criminals accountable.
- Supports greater transparency and accessibility to county public officials.

Supports addressing Houston’s homelessness problem.

Supports using a "community first" approach to increasing housing options, as demonstrated by Austin's Mobile Loaves & Fishes non-profit.

- Supports addressing Houston’s homelessness problem.
- Supports using a "community first" approach to increasing housing options, as demonstrated by Austin's Mobile Loaves & Fishes non-profit.

- Believes simplifying election processes will improve recruitment of election judges and clerks.

Supports improving mental health resources.

Believes that depression can impair decision-making, saying, "One of the worst symptoms of depression is difficulty making decisions."

Supports improving mental health services with collaboration between Harris County Psychiatric Center, the Menninger Clinic, and local churches.

- Supports improving mental health services with collaboration between Harris County Psychiatric Center, the Menninger Clinic, and local churches.

Gerry Vander-Lyn is a native Houstonian who attended Mark Twain Elementary, Pershing Middle School, and Bellaire High School, graduating in 1968. She completed her collegiate studies at the University of Houston, graduating in 1973 with a Bachelor of Arts in history and a minor in English. Gerry currently attends St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.

Gerry Vander-Lyn's professional career has included working for the Texas Department of Public Welfare, serving in the graphics department of an oil company, and supporting three tax accountants. She obtained her Life and Health Insurance license and passed the Series 7 and Series 63 SEC exams in the late 1990s.

As of September 12, 2024, Gerry Vander-Lyn’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- County commissioners vote on the budget and appropriations, which fund essential county services like road maintenance.
- They create and enforce civil and criminal laws that align with state regulations, including land use and construction codes.
- Commissioners implement state and federal mandates while overseeing county agencies and public buildings.
- They also set tax rates for the county and its subdivisions.
- Each Texas county has four commissioners and a county judge, forming the local governing body known as the Commissioners Court.