Ready To Lead

I’m Erica Gillum, a lifelong Texan, businesswoman, and former Mayor of Hempstead, and I’m running to represent District 18 in the Texas Senate. I’m a Realtor, real estate coach, investor, and for more than two decades, I’ve dedicated myself to helping families and small businesses build stability, wealth, and opportunity.

About Me

Public service and entrepreneurship run deep in my family. My father, a 4th-generation small businessman, served as Mayor of Hempstead in 1983 and as a Waller County Commissioner. From him, I learned the value of hard work, integrity, and responsibility, not just to your business, but to your community. His example inspired me to serve my own community, first on the Hempstead City Council from 2020 to 2022, and then as Mayor from 2022 to 2024.

As mayor, I focused on delivering real results for our city. I helped secure over $9 million for citywide drainage and infrastructure projects, negotiated with H-E-B to ensure 25% of new distribution center jobs go to local residents, and with Caterpillar Mustang coming to Hempstead, creating quality jobs and strengthening our city’s tax base. A devoted Christian, my faith guides my values, my leadership, and my commitment to serving others. I believe in the values that make Texans strong: hard work, self-reliance, faith, integrity, and a deep commitment to community. I believe in lifting others up, standing up for what is right, and creating opportunities for all Texans. I know the greatest divide in our country is not left versus right, it’s top versus bottom, and I believe that when Texans unite, there is nothing we cannot achieve together. With my experience as a business leader and former mayor, I’m ready to bring leadership, results, and fairness to the Texas Senate, fighting for working families, small businesses, and communities across District 18.

The Issues

  • Strong schools are the foundation of Texas communities. I will fight to fully fund neighborhood schools, ensure teachers are paid what they deserve, and expand programs that prepare every child for success. Education is not a partisan issue; it’s about giving our children the tools to thrive, strengthen our workforce, and keep Texas competitive for generations to come.

  • Our rural communities and farmers are the backbone of Texas, yet decades of neglect have left them vulnerable to droughts, water shortages, and aging infrastructure. I will ensure adequate water supplies, reliable roads, and strong rural services, protecting farmers’ livelihoods and supporting families who depend on prosperous crops to feed their communities and sustain their futures.

  • Texas was built by hardworking people who value independence and opportunity. I will focus on creating good-paying jobs, supporting small businesses, and offering training for young adults to enter the workforce. Unlike long-term incumbents who often favor big donors, I will prioritize policies that empower local families, strengthen our communities, and keep our economy growing from the ground up.

  • Families in District 18 are feeling the squeeze from high housing costs, childcare expenses, and rising prescription drug prices. I will fight to reduce these costs so hardworking Texans can provide for their families without sacrificing quality of life. Our government should make life easier for families, not more expensive, that’s the Texas way.