Ballotpedia, Rhetta Andrews Bowers

Rhetta has resided in Rowlett, Texas, with her husband John and their 2 children for over 20 years. She earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Spelman College and a bachelor's degree in telecommunications from Texas Southern University. She is an active member of St. Paul United Methodist Church.

Rhetta previously worked as a broadcast journalist in Washington, D.C., and Texas, including roles at PBS headquarters, WETA-TV, and KCEN-TV. She also served as the educational services coordinator for KERA TV 13/Radio 90.1.

Rhetta Andrews Bowers is a state representative in State House District 113. She was elected in 2018 and is serving her 3rd term. She is the vice chair of the Local and Consent Calendars Committee.

Candidate website

Supports small business owners and employees, saying they are "the heart of our communities."

Supports investing in vocational training and apprenticeships to prepare the Texas workforce for the future.

Supports the CROWN Act, which prohibits discrimination based on hairstyle.

Advocates raising the minimum wage to $15 hourly.

- Supports small business owners and employees, saying they are "the heart of our communities."
- Supports investing in vocational training and apprenticeships to prepare the Texas workforce for the future.
- Supports the CROWN Act, which prohibits discrimination based on hairstyle.
- Advocates raising the minimum wage to $15 hourly.

Economy

Supports gun safety and believes in implementing "common sense safety measures" to reduce gun violence in communities and schools.

Supports SB 69, which bans the use of chokeholds or similar neck restraints by law enforcement.

Supports HB 929 - Bo's Law, which bans police officers from turning off their body cameras during investigations.

Supports HB 8 – The Lavinia Masters Act to improve tracking and testing of rape kits and extend the statute of limitations for sexual assault cases.

Supports HB 54, which prohibits law enforcement agencies from authorizing individuals to film peace officers in the line of duty for the purpose of creating a reality television program.

Opposes HB 1927, the permitless carry bill, believing it undermines gun safety training and community safety.

- Supports gun safety and believes in implementing "common sense safety measures" to reduce gun violence in communities and schools.
- Supports SB 69, which bans the use of chokeholds or similar neck restraints by law enforcement.
- Supports HB 929 - Bo's Law, which bans police officers from turning off their body cameras during investigations.
- Supports HB 8 – The Lavinia Masters Act to improve tracking and testing of rape kits and extend the statute of limitations for sexual assault cases.
- Supports HB 54, which prohibits law enforcement agencies from authorizing individuals to film peace officers in the line of duty for the purpose of creating a reality television program.
- Opposes HB 1927, the permitless carry bill, believing it undermines gun safety training and community safety.

Public Safety

Wants to ensure all Texans have access to quality healthcare and plans to expand affordable medical coverage and preventative care programs.

Believes there is more work to be done to make healthcare affordable and accessible for all Texans.

Supports overturning SB 8 and making abortion legal, accessible, and safe beyond 6 weeks.

Supports expanding telehealth and telemedicine services to Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program participants.

Supports making insulin more affordable and accessible by capping monthly costs at $25.

Supports extending Medicaid coverage for new mothers from two months to six months.

Supports access to affordable prescription medications.

Supports funding for cancer research and prevention. As a House Representative, co-authored HB 39, which allocated $3 billion to the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas in 2019.

Supports funding for cancer research and prevention.

- Wants to ensure all Texans have access to quality healthcare and plans to expand affordable medical coverage and preventative care programs.
- Believes there is more work to be done to make healthcare affordable and accessible for all Texans.
- Supports access to abortion
- Supports expanding telehealth and telemedicine services to Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program participants.
- Supports making insulin more affordable and accessible by capping monthly costs at $25.
- Supports extending Medicaid coverage for new mothers from two months to six months.
- Supports access to affordable prescription medications.
- Supports funding for cancer research and prevention.

Healthcare

Believes in increasing teacher pay, providing additional training and support for teachers, and fully funding all-day Pre-Kindergarten programs.

Opposes House Bill (HB) 3979, which prohibits teaching certain topics related to race and racism.

Opposes HB 25, which bans transgender kids from playing sports as themselves.

Opposes House Bill (HB) 3979, known as the Critical Race Theory Bill, which prohibits teachers from being compelled to discuss current events without equally portraying both sides as morally good or bad, and bans the 1619 Project from being taught in Texas schools.

Opposes HB 3979, known as the Critical Race Theory Bill, which prohibits teachers from being compelled to discuss current events without equally portraying both sides as morally good or bad, and bans the 1619 Project from being taught in Texas schools.

- Believes in increasing teacher pay, providing additional training and support for teachers, and fully funding all-day Pre-Kindergarten programs.
- Opposes House Bill (HB) 3979, which prohibits teaching certain topics related to race and racism.
- Opposes HB 25, which bans transgender kids from playing sports as themselves.
- Opposes HB 3979, known as the Critical Race Theory Bill, which prohibits teachers from being compelled to discuss current events without equally portraying both sides as morally good or bad, and bans the 1619 Project from being taught in Texas schools.

Education

As of September 7, 2024, Rhetta Andrews Bowers’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Supports fair, accessible, and safe voting.

- Supports fair, accessible, and safe voting.

Voting & Elections

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Rhetta Andrews Bowers

Rhetta Andrews Bowers has resided in Rowlett, Texas, with her husband John and their two children for over 20 years. She is an alumna of Spelman College and Texas Southern University. Bowers is an active member of St. Paul United Methodist Church.

Rhetta Andrews Bowers is a member of the Texas House of Representatives for District 113. She previously worked as a Broadcast Journalist in Washington, D.C., and Texas, including roles at PBS headquarters, WETA-TV, and KCEN-TV. She also served as the educational services coordinator for KERA TV 13/Radio 90.1.

Rhetta Andrews Bowers has served in the Texas House of Representatives for District 113 since November 8, 2018. She has served on the House Committees for Corrections, Juvenile Justice & Family Issues, and Local and Consent Calendars.

Supports economic development initiatives to create jobs and improve local businesses.

Believes there is "too much at stake" regarding the economy.

Opposes Will Douglas, saying "doesn't live here."

Supports increasing teacher pay, providing additional training and support for teachers, and fully funding all-day Pre-K programs.

Endorsed by The Preston Hollow Democrats.

Believes that wealthy individuals should contribute to the economy by paying taxes.

Opposes billionaire influence in local politics, citing personal experience of being supported by billionaire backers who financed his ballot filing in Seagoville.

Believes joining her campaign team presents opportunities to assist the community.

Believes in supporting policies that promote economic growth, job creation, and fair wages.

Believes in creating job opportunities through economic development and supporting local businesses.

Supports distributing delegates in Texas on Super Tuesday.

Believes in collaborative efforts to improve the state's economy.

Opposes outsiders coming into East Dallas.

Supports the CROWN Act, which addresses hair discrimination.

Believes in living as a "Godly woman" to make her family proud and is prepared for personal attacks.

Believes public safety is crucial, citing personal experiences of verbal assault and threats from supporters of opponent Mike Douglas.

Supports the hair anti-discrimination bill.

Supports policies that address public health issues and improve healthcare access.

Supports the CROWN Act, which protects individuals from hair discrimination based on hair texture and hairstyles associated with race.

Supports the opening of the VA Hospital in Garland.

Supports developing COVID-19 recovery plans.

Believes in addressing public health issues such as COVID-19 through effective communication and guidelines for sheltering in place.

Supports transparency in drug pricing by requiring pharmaceutical companies to report and explain drug price increases.

Supports passing legislation to improve education.

Believes in addressing racial inequities and racism through community collaboration and uncomfortable conversations.

Plans to continue fighting against certain laws regarding public education.

Believes there is still "much work to do" to enhance the public education system.

As a House Representative, Rhetta authored, introduced, and passed HB 3435 to make March 1st Texas Girls in STEM Day to encourage and celebrate women and girls who are interested in or working in STEM.

Opposes policies that prohibit students from receiving extra credit for participating in civic activities.

Believes more work is needed to improve public education.

Supports equitable funding for all public schools, increasing teacher pay, and providing resources for students with disabilities and English language learners.

Believes residency requirements for running for office are unclear.

Promises to "continue fighting for an equitable and just education system that works for all students and teachers."

Believes Douglas is "an opportunist looking for an audience."

Believes Republicans have "owned this seat for eight years" but Democrats see opportunity.

Supports voting rights and fair elections.

Believes in being a dedicated community servant.

Supports legislation to address hair discrimination.

Supports voting rights and has worked on legislation to improve election processes.

Promises to advocate for programs that protect Black voting rights, ensure access to affordable health care, and promote economic equality.

Believes there have been "multiple violations of the rules governing voter contact, including harassment and intimidation tactics at polling locations."

Believes Will Douglas and his backers have "conducted a campaign of lies, misinformation, and character assassination" and violated election law by misrepresenting Douglas as the incumbent.

Believes in addressing legislative responses to voting rights and elections.

Believes Texas House District 113 will likely flip in 2018.

Believes Texans deserve good jobs, affordable healthcare, and quality education.

Believes recovery plans are essential as Texas relaxes COVID-19 restrictions.

- Your state representative represents the interests of your local district in the Texas House of Representatives. The State House of Representatives, along with the State Senate, makes up your state lawmaking body: the Texas State Legislature
- Your state representative can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws. 
- There are 150 members of the Texas House of Representatives, each representing a single district. Representatives must be at least 21 years old and reside in the state for at least two years before their election. 
- State representatives are elected to two-year terms during even-numbered years. There are no term limits. 
- State representatives make $7,200 annually in addition to a $221 payment per day during legislative sessions and mileage reimbursements.

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